Pipework airlock

A tap which fails to supply water when it is opened is said to possibly contain what is known as an airlock. This will cause the water to stop flowing in the pipework. Bromley Plumbers undertake all manner of plumbing work.Removing the air lock.To remove the lock you can use a hosepipe and attach it to the tap that has the airlock and the other end to a working tap. In most cases this will be the cold tap on the kitchen sink. Open both taps and let the pressure of the mains water force the air back out of the pipes. Leave it for some time, then turn off the air locked tap. It could take a few goes like this to release the lock and allow water to run freely. When done, undo the hose from the higher of the two taps, before releasing the lower one and allowing the water in the hose to drain away into the sink.Air lock at more than one tap.When more than just one tap seems to have an airlock, then clear it from the lowest one. It may also be possible to blow out the airlock if the above method fails to work. Place a hose into the outlet pipe of the loft tank. Open the tap at the other end and then blow through the pipe to try and dislodge the lock.Draining down to remove an air lock.As a final resort method, drain the system down. A Bromley Plumber has the right tools to drain down. Turn off the water feed and open all the taps to drain the water. Close all taps until they are about a three quarters closed. Turn the water supply back on. Adjust them all until a light, even flow of water is achieved. Now go round opening them one by one to the half-open position, starting with the lowest and working upwards. Repeat at the three quarters open position. Once all air has been discharged, turn all taps off to a point where there is only a minimal flow. Finally, close them all before checking the operation of each in turn.

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