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 Candler which situation you're in depends on where you live. The Enka-Candler corridor runs on natural gas, while Hominy Valley and out Pisgah Highway lean on propane — so it's either a service shut-off or an empty tank. Either way the pilot goes out when supply's cut and needs relighting, with air in the line to purge first.
Two Fuel Realities in One Town
Candler is one of Asheville's fastest-growing suburbs, and its fuel picture is split. The subdivisions along the Enka-Candler corridor tap natural-gas mains, where an interruption is usually a short service shut-off and the relight goes quick — a closed line holds little air. Out in Hominy Valley and up Pisgah Highway, homes run on propane tanks, and there the empty-tank scenario is the one to plan for. Knowing which you have decides what happens next, so start there.
If Your Tank Ran Empty
On the propane side, a tank that emptied completely can't just be refilled and lit. Your supplier must run a leak and pressure test on the system first, because a dry tank pulls air and moisture into the lines — that's code, not a courtesy. Relight only after the test passes, and expect the pilot to sputter through several attempts as the remaining air purges toward the burner.
Builder-Grade Boxes and a Local Number
Many of Candler's newer homes came with basic decorative builder-grade fireboxes; owners often upgrade to real heat-producing sealed units within a few years, and the Hominy Valley bowl makes clean-burning appliances worth it for air quality. We're a licensed gas contractor 15 minutes west, pulling the permit with Buncombe County. If the relight won't take, call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Candler
We install and service fireplaces throughout Candler and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
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?
- How do I turn the pilot light off completely?