Do I need to relight the pilot after my propane tank runs empty or the gas is shut off for service, and is there air in the line to work through?
Yes to both, and in Asheville the version you'll deal with usually depends on your ignition. Any time the gas is interrupted — a utility service shut-off, or a propane cabin on the city's edge running dry — the flame goes out and must be relit once supply returns, and trapped air has to clear the line before the burner will hold.
Two Eras of Ignition Under One Roofline
Montford, North Asheville, and Grove Park hold a lot of original masonry fireboxes converted to gas over the years, and those tend to run a standing millivolt pilot — after an interruption you relight it by hand through the unit's printed OFF-PILOT-ON sequence, holding the knob a bit longer while the air works out. South Asheville's newer clean-face builds are a different animal: sealed direct-vent units like the Heat & Glo IntelliFire have no standing pilot at all. They spark on demand, and after the gas has been off they'll often click and fault a few times before catching, because the igniter is firing into air. Cycle the switch or remote per the manual, give it a rest, and let the line purge rather than forcing it.
Service Shut-Off vs. a Dry Tank
Because most of the city sits on natural-gas mains, the usual cause here isn't an empty tank — it's a planned service shut-off, and a briefly closed line holds less air, so relighting normally takes only a handful of tries. If yours is one of the propane properties on the outskirts and the tank actually ran empty, that's different: your supplier owes the system a leak and pressure test before anything relights, because a dry tank can pull air and moisture into the lines. We're headquartered right here at 629 Emma Rd, so an Asheville call is our shortest drive — as a licensed gas contractor we'll relight, check the pilot assembly, and make sure the burner is clean. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
Related questions
- How do I light the pilot light on my gas fireplace?
- How long do I hold the pilot knob down when lighting it, and why won't it stay lit if I let go too soon?
- How long should I wait before trying again if the pilot doesn't catch on the first try?
- Is it safe to relight the pilot myself, or should a professional do it?
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