Gas Hot Water System Question?

Question

We've just moved into a new rental home in Melbourne. Here's what happened-

We turned on the pilot light the other day. We hadn't used it until today becuase we were staying elsewhere. The hot water kicked in enough for me to do a few lots of dishes. Then I went to have a shower a few hours later and the hot water lasted for a couple of minutes. I went to check the pilot light - which is still on. There are three settings, Pilot, On and Off. I think the setting is on Pilot. I went to turn it to what I thought was On and there was a big gas WOOOSSSHHH sound so I turned it back to Pilot (I think). The flame is still on but we don't have hot water.

Okay so should it have gone WWOOOOSSSHH when I turned it to On? Should I just leave it for a plumber to have a look at?

And yes, I know, I'm bloody hopeless!

Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

That's normal.  Leave the setting to "ON".  

Be sure the vent is pulling air at the base of the vent.

You can check by lighting a match and blowing it out while watching the smoke being pulled up the vent pipe at its base where it attaches to the little flying saucer looking thing.

Answer 2

The whoosh sound is the gas entering the burner, and it should light within a second or so.  I'll bet everything is OK and you were just alarmed unnecessarily.

Just turn the k**b on top of the gray control box from pilot... to on.  Then turn the temperature k**b up, if necessary.  It should fire right up.

If you still lack confidence, just call the gas company.  Instead of saying you need your pilot checked, say you smell a little gas.  This will put you at the head of their appointment list!

I am a 30 year licensed plumbing contractor.