One small step for Ace...a home maintenance tale

After 8 years of being a homeowner, I finally attempted to light my water heater pilot light today. Now, this may not seem like a huge accomplishment to some of you, but for me, who breaks every tool she touches, it's huge.

It's a beautiful! day here in Oakland, and I woke up, turned the faucet, and NO HOT WATER. So I went under the house with my flashlight, matches and brave face, read the instructions on the water heater, and attempted to relight the pilot. Of course, it won't light so I've had to call a repair guy. But I know I did it right, something must be up with the heater. I am sooo proud of my usually-incompetent self.

I am rather pissed off, though. I'm going on a biz trip to the east coast Monday-Wednesday, so I have to get this fixed this weekend, or my housesitter (and dog) will have no hot water :confused:

Next, Ace learns to use a hammer! Naw, I'll save that for another day.

cool! I've never done that. I don't light the gas barbeque either.

It sort of shocking that I've never done it before. But I have relied on 1) male best friend (he moved away last year), 2) boyfriend (we broke up in June), or 3) male next door neighbor (he and his wife are getting divorced, and he moved out in December). So it's really time to face the music, and just at least TRY to do things myself before I ask for help. As long as I don't burn the house down or cause major explosions :o

Well done Ace. :) I am very, very bad with things such as that. :o

Rules of the Hot Water Heater: If the pilot light lights, make sure you hold the ignition button down long enough for it to stay on. If you don't get it to light, make sure you're using a long enough match (I like fireplace matches). ;) ;) If none of this works, make sure you have paid the gas bill.;) ;)

Rule of the Hammer: Make sure your thumb is out of the way and don't let the strength of your hit be greater than the aim of your eye.

Rule of Intimidation: Remember, even Bob Vila started somewhere before he became the king of home improvement.

Oh, the stories I (or Silver) could tell...:D :D

Yup, turned out that a part need replacement (I think it's called a thermal guide- without it the pilot won't stay lit. The guys said they last about 6 years, and I've had the water heater for 6 1/2), which cost me $50 for parts/labor. I have hot water, and know how to light the pilot light. It was a good day :)

I've found if you don't have the long matches, then using hemostats to hold a regular match works. :)

I've accumulated a pile of matches trying to relite various water heaters...

no real comment...just wanted to tell you Ace, that I love the pic of your puppy...

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Originally Posted by ace

Yup, turned out that a part need replacement (I think it's called a thermal guide- without it the pilot won't stay lit.

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Well, I don't know what a thermal guide is, so I guess $50 is a bargain:D :D

Thanks, sbctwin. He is the handsomest boy on the planet- I'm missing him- I haven't seen him in 16 hours (ok, I'm crazy, but he's my primary relationship), I'm away on a business trip. He's probably sleeping or tossing his rubber pink elephant up in the air right about now....

Mr. Silver, that thermal thingy is some teeny little 5 inch long skinny wiry part that keeps tabs on the water temp, according to the water heater guy and my gas company, if you don't have an old water heater, and your pilot light won't stay lit, that's the probable culprit.

I have been very cautious when around gas appliances ever since a natural gas conversion was carried out on a water heater, which was attached to the wall next to the bath, in my childhood home. Ignition, once the pilot light was lit, created (what seemed to me as a child) huge explosive noises.

Got married and moved in to an all electric house. No worries.

Got braver as I got older, and now own a 4 burner bottled gas barbeque. Only recently decided to learn how to light the thing. Was confidently cooking the food when the fat collection container, situated under a drainhole in the centre of the plate, decided to catch fire. Tried to smother it by placing a piece of potato over the hole! That didn't work. Tried to blow it out. That didn't work. Called husband for help. That didn't work - he takes his time to respond to requests!!! Ended up with a very charred piece of potato and the flames eventually died down. My heart rate returned to normal eventually too. Still cautious though.

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Originally Posted by Laterider21958

I have been very cautious when around gas appliances ever since a natural gas conversion was carried out on a water heater, which was attached to the wall next to the bath, in my childhood home. Ignition, once the pilot light was lit, created (what seemed to me as a child) huge explosive noises.

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This is the standard in Europe, isn't it?

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Oh, the stories I (or Silver) could tell...:D :D

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Like the $$$$ that you spent trying to fix the toilets yourself and then finally gave up and it only cost like less than $100 to have the plumber come fix them all.

Like the time that you put together the crib in the living room even after I said that's not going to fit through the door to the bedroom......

Like the time that you tried to fix the light switch but didn't turn off the circuit breaker.

:p :p

Teasing........Mr. is really very handy! :) :)

With Mr. working in another town, I've had my share of House fixits traumas. I've had to call our "backdoor" neighbor several times, as recently as last week. (Garage door opener broke and I couldn't get the quick release to let go)

Silver, darling....thanks for not telling the really embarrasing home improvement stories.