An airlock is produced when no water is coming out of your tap after turning it on, or if your radiators are not heating properly. In this blog, we will give you a definition of what an airlock is and ways to unblock it. Of course, the DSB team are on hand to help if the methods aren’t effective!
The hosepipe method
This involves blasting the airlock out in three easy steps
- Attach a hosepipe to the affected tap
- Connect the other end to a direct feed tap, such as a cold water tap that is working
- Turn both taps on
The pressure from this should force the air back out of the locked tap. Leave this on for a few minutes to get the flow. When you have completed this method, take the hose of the highest tap first, otherwise, you will end up soaking yourself and your home! If you remove the hose from the lowest tap first, you can risk creating another airlock!
Drain the plumbing system
This is the next step if the hosepipe method hasn’t worked. You will need to drain your entire plumbing pipe system.
- Turn off the main water supply
- Systematically turn all the taps on within your property until you reach the lowest tap where the water flow ceases
- Flush the toilets until they stop filling up and are drained
- Turn the tap off, almost all the way with a little amount of water still able to get through
- Turn the water supply back on
- Take time turning the taps back on. Turn them to the halfway point and then fully on
If there is an airlock amongst the central heating system affecting some or all of the radiators throughout the property/premises, the next step is to bleed the radiators.
Bleeding the radiators
- Turn all the radiators on to the maximum temperature, then wait a while and then turn off the central heating completely. Allow sufficient time for the radiators to cool
- Start with the radiator closest to the boiler, turn it off and open its bleed valve. Make sure you put a tray underneath to catch the water. Let the air escape then close the valve
DSB Heating provides a 24hr emergency call-out service, where you will be greeted with a friendly smile and excellent service, where our team are qualified, knowledgeable and experienced engineers. We will always aim to resolve the issue on the first visit to your property and we aim to attend any emergency call-out within 2 hours.
