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 on both, and in Mills River the long propane runs mean the air-purge part takes real patience. On these big rural lots the buried line from the tank to the house holds more air than a short hookup, so after a tank runs empty or the gas is shut off, expect the relit pilot to sputter through more attempts than usual before gas reaches the burner.
Big Lots, Longer Lines, More Air
Much of Mills River is large-lot country — farmland and forest with the propane tank set well off from the house — and that geometry matters after an interruption. The farther the buried run, the more air volume has to push out before gas gets to the burner, so a relight that would take three tries in town might take a good many more here. That's normal. Follow the unit's printed lighting steps, hold the knob down through each attempt, and let the line clear rather than assuming something's broken.
Empty Tank? The Test Comes First
If the tank ran completely dry rather than just being valved off, the order changes: your propane supplier must run a leak and pressure test on the whole system before you relight anything, because a fully drained tank can pull air and moisture into all that line. That's code and good practice both. Relighting is the final step after the test, not a shortcut around it.
Fire Pits and a Local Number
The open Mills River valley is also prime outdoor-living country — if a gas fire pit went cold with the tank, the same empty-tank test rule applies before you relight it. We're a licensed gas contractor 25 minutes south, pulling the permit with Henderson County on any line work. If the relight won't take after a proper refill, call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mills River
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mills River and the rest of Henderson County — just 25 minutes south 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?