What It Is and How to Remove Airlock from a Combi Boiler Safely
If your heating or hot water suddenly stops working, or your radiators aren’t warming up evenly, you might be dealing with a combi boiler airlock. It’s a common issue in many UK homes, and while it can seem minor, an airlock can stop your boiler from running efficiently or even at all.
In this post, we’ll explain what an airlock is, why it happens, what signs to look for, and how to remove an airlock from a combi boiler safely and why it’s often best to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix the issue properly.
What Is a Combi Boiler Airlock?
A combi boiler airlock occurs when air gets trapped inside your heating or hot water system, blocking the normal flow of water.
Because combi boilers rely on a sealed system (where water pressure and flow are key), trapped air creates pockets that prevent water from circulating properly. The result? Your boiler might make strange gurgling noises, your taps might splutter, and your radiators might feel patchy or cold at the top.
While a little air in the system is normal and can often be removed by bleeding radiators, a full airlock in the combi boiler or pipework can be more serious and may need professional attention.
What Causes an Airlock in a Combi Boiler?
There are a few reasons why airlocks happen and understanding them can help you prevent the problem in the future:
Recent maintenance or water draining – If your heating system has been drained recently for repairs or upgrades, air can easily get trapped when it’s refilled.
Low system pressure – Combi boilers work best when the pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it drops too low, air can enter the system.
Leaks in the system – Even tiny leaks in pipe joints or radiator valves can let air in and water out, leading to airlocks over time.
Pump or circulation issues – If the boiler’s pump isn’t circulating water properly, air can build up in certain sections of the system.
Poor installation or pipework design – Sometimes, older or poorly installed heating systems can trap air because of awkward pipe angles or lack of automatic air vents.
Signs You Might Have an Airlock in Your Combi Boiler
You might have a combi boiler airlock if you notice:
Gurgling, bubbling, or hissing noises coming from your boiler or pipes
Radiators heating unevenly (cold at the top, warm at the bottom)
Hot water not flowing properly or only working intermittently
Low boiler pressure, or your pressure gauge constantly dropping
Boiler locking out or displaying an error code
If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s a good idea to turn off the boiler and call a professional engineer before attempting anything yourself.
How to Remove Airlock from a Combi Boiler
Here’s the thing removing an airlock from a combi boiler isn’t always straightforward, and doing it wrong could cause leaks, pressure loss, or even damage to internal components.
That said, here are the general safe steps a Gas Safe engineer would take to fix it:
Check the boiler pressure – The first step is ensuring your system is topped up to the correct pressure (usually 1–1.5 bar).
Bleed the radiators – Engineers will start with the radiators furthest from the boiler, releasing trapped air with a bleed key while monitoring pressure levels.
Run both taps – In cases where the hot water side is affected, they might open both hot and cold taps together to equalise pressure and help release trapped air.
Inspect the boiler and pipes – If the airlock persists, an engineer will check for faulty pumps, leaks, or blockages.
Refill and repressurise – Once air is released, the system will be refilled and repressurised, ensuring the boiler runs smoothly again.
Note: Avoid trying to dismantle your boiler or pipework yourself. Modern combi boilers are complex, and even a small mistake can cause expensive damage or invalidate your warranty.
Why You Should Call a Gas Safe Engineer
While some minor air issues can be solved by bleeding radiators, a true combi boiler airlock is often a sign of a bigger issue such as a faulty pump, pressure loss, or air entering through a leak.
A Gas Safe registered engineer can:
Diagnose whether it’s really an airlock or a more serious fault
Safely release trapped air without damaging the boiler
Rebalance and repressurise your system correctly
Check for leaks, corrosion, or other underlying problems
Ensure your boiler operates efficiently and safely
So, if your combi boiler is gurgling, your radiators are half cold, or your hot water keeps cutting out it’s time to call the professionals.
Preventing Future Airlocks
Once your system is fixed, there are a few simple steps to prevent the issue from returning:
Keep your boiler pressure topped up to the correct level
Bleed your radiators once or twice a year
Have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer
Fix any leaks promptly
Make sure your system has automatic air vents or a magnetic filter if recommended
These small maintenance steps can make a big difference in keeping your heating system efficient and airlock-free.
Get Help with Combi Boiler Airlocks Today
If you suspect an airlock in your combi boiler, don’t risk making it worse call a qualified Gas Safe engineer today.
At Plumbing Immediately we specialise in diagnosing and fixing combi boiler airlocks safely and efficiently. Whether you need emergency repairs, system maintenance, or a full boiler service, the expert engineers are ready to help restore your heating and hot water quickly.
Call us today to get your boiler back up and running safely and professionally.