Any time you open a hot water faucet and there is no water coming out or the water is sputtering, you most likely have air trapped in your hot water pipes. Most of the time airlocks affect the hot water pipes than the cold water pipes, especially after draining the water heater. Water pipes are hardly ever straight and that is why an airlock will not clear on its own, as it occupies the highest point of the pipes. It acts like a restriction in the pipes and the only way to clear it is by blasting water at high pressure through it. A water hammer occurs when water flowing to a certain faucet or appliance is suddenly forced to change direction as a result of the faucet being shut off.Īn airlock will not clear itself. Flush all toilets and run rinse cycles on the dishwasher and washing machine.Īn airlock is different from a water hammer and will not damage your plumbing system. Turn the water supply back on, and let it flow through all faucets for 15 minutes. The best way to bleed off air trapped in your water pipes is by shutting off the water to your house and then drain the water in the pipes and fixtures by turning on all faucets, and draining all appliances. When your turn on the water flow to the house, air will be trapped at the high points in your water pipes network creating an airlock.

Since a vacuum cannot exist in the pipes, air will occupy the space inside the pipes.

Whenever you are performing any form of maintenance in your plumbing system like draining the water heater, installing a new toilet or bathtub, you need to first shut off the water and drain that which is already in the pipes. In a well system the problem can also be caused by other factors such as a faulty pump, pressure tank or even drought. Sometimes it can completely shut off the water to your faucets.Īirlock in water pipes is caused by temporarily shutting off and draining water to the house by the homeowner or the area municipality during maintenance, allowing air to enter the pipes. An airlock works like a restriction, lowering the water pressure and smooth flow of water in your house. When you turn on your faucets and notice that water is sputtering or spitting out air, you have air trapped in your pipes, a condition known as an airlock.

Airlock in pipes