Airlock in Pipes, Boiler and Hot Water - Plumbing Airlock Solution

Leaving a water line nearly or entirely out of use because of an airlock in your plumbing system isn't right. Call the Mr Emergency Plumber to get it fixed right away!

But, What's an Airlock?

An airlock is said to occur when air (gas) in a pipe restricts the free flow of water through the pipe. Your pipes carry water as well as air. Thus, the air which is usually lighter in weight than water has the tendency to rise to the upper parts of the pipe. On the application of pressure, these pockets of air stop water from flowing.

An airlock in the pipes is one of the issues that can affect your household plumbing. For your plumbing system to run effectively, all the pipes, including those hidden from view must be maintained and in good condition.

If your tap is not flowing anymore, it could be that there's an airlock somewhere in the pipe. But how can you be sure? Before we get to that, you may be able to fix airlocks with a hose and some creativity, but the problem certainly requires the service of a plumber with the right experience. We at the Mr Emergency Plumber have the flair and tools to get your water flowing again. Do well to contact us soon.

So, How Do You Know You're Having An Airlock?

When there is an airlock in your plumbing, you will notice the following:

Sputtering of water out of your pipes even when the faucet is opened completely
No flow of water from your pipes through the shut-off valve on the mains is open
These issues are most common in mixed faucets or hot water spouts. You may have noticed that while the cold water flows freely, the hot water will not flow or flows at regular intervals.

By now, you may have understood what we're talking about. So, if you're experiencing any of these, give us a call right away. It doesn't matter when it happens. We're your Mr Emergency Plumber; responding to emergencies is our duty! When you call us, we will come immediately and fix that airlock.

Now, Why Do Airlocks Happen?

Airlocks could be initiated when a plumbing component like a pump or pipework is poorly installed, causing the system to suck in air
If your plumbing system has been empty due to servicing and is being refilled, an airlock can set in.
As a preventative measure, it is good to vent the highest points in the plumbing system to avoid airlock. However, you need a good plumber like us to install your plumbing professionally and also correct this problem when it occurs. Call Mr Emergency Plumber today!

Solutions to Airlock

You can attempt fixing an airlock yourself, especially when you've got some experience with plumbing. By increasing the water pressure, the air bubbles can be forced out of the pipe. Bear in mind that airlocks usually occur in hot water pipes because the water will not exert enough pressure to push the air bubbles out of the way. It is less common in cold water pipes since they are often connected to the water main.

Doing it Yourself

You will have to use a small section of hose (for a hot water spout) or a longer hose (for a mixer faucet) to remove airlock from your pipe.

Connect the hose to the hot water spout with airlock and cold water spout end to end.
Tighten the connection to both openings using hose clamps or clips
Turn on the hot water first, wait for a while then turn on the cold water
Allow 30 seconds to pass
Turn off the cold water first and then the hot water
Remove the hose from the hot water spout and turn the water back on
Repeat this process three times if the airlock is still present
For a mixer faucet:

Connect both ends of a longer hose to the spout opening on the air locked faucet and your kitchen sink's spout or cold water spout of your washing machine; these two should have higher water pressure than the other faucets in your home
Turn on the cold water spout, and then turn on the air locked hot water spout
Allow them to run for 30 seconds then turn off the cold water first before the hot water
If this attempt proves abortive, it is time to call us at Mr Emergency Plumber. Since plumbing repairs require care and expertise, it's better you hire our engineers at Mr Emergency Plumber; we do our job professionally!

Is water not flowing through your pipes as it uses to? Could it be an airlock, you know? Don't hesitate to call Mr Emergency Plumber. You won't be disappointed because we do our job quickly and expertly!