If you’ve ever turned on a tap and been met with spluttering, coughing, or barely any water at all, you’ve probably experienced an airlock in your water pipes. It’s one of those annoying little issues that can stop your whole day.
The good news?
An airlock sounds more dramatic than it really is. With a bit of understanding and the right approach you can normally sort it without too much stress. And if it turns out to be a bit more stubborn, that’s what professional plumbers are here for.
Today, we’ll go through what an airlock is, why it happens, how you can clear it, and when it might be best to call in someone who deals with these issues every day.
So grab a cuppa, and let’s get this sorted.
What Exactly Is an Airlock?
Imagine your plumbing system as a long, smooth flow of water running quietly around your home. Now imagine a big bubble of air sitting in the middle of that flow, refusing to budge. That bubble can stop water getting through, and suddenly your tap sounds like it’s trying to clear its throat.
That’s an airlock.
Common signs include:
Taps spitting or gurgling
Inconsistent or very weak water flow
Water starting and stopping
No flow from one tap at all
Noisy pipes
Why Do Airlocks Happen?
Airlocks don’t happen on their own something usually invites that unwanted air into the system.
Here are the most typical causes, explained without the jargon:
Your water supply was interrupted
If the water was switched off recently maybe due to maintenance, a burst pipe nearby, or a tank running dry air can sneak into the pipes before the system fills back up.
Work was done on your plumbing
Any time pipes are drained, replaced, or repaired, it’s easy for air to get trapped when the system refills.
Tanks and cylinders refilling too quickly
If you have a storage tank in the loft, sometimes it refills faster than the pipes can release the trapped air, creating an air bubble.
Low pressure in parts of your home
Older houses, properties with long pipe runs and loft conversions can all be more prone to airlocks simply because water travels further, and pressure naturally dips.
Whatever the cause, the result is the same: annoying, spluttering taps and poor water flow.
How to Get Rid of Airlock in Water Pipes
There are a few common methods people use to clear airlocks, but it’s important to approach them gently. Pushing too much pressure into pipes or forcing systems to do something they shouldn’t can cause damage and the last thing you want is a bigger problem.
The methods below are the simplest and safest for most situations.
The Hosepipe Method
This is the method most people swear by, and when done carefully, it can work quite well.
You’ll need:
A small hosepipe
Strong tape or clips
Two taps: one with good pressure and one with poor flow
Here’s the idea:
You connect the hose between a working tap and the one with the airlock, then let the stronger tap push water backwards to dislodge the trapped air.
The key is to be gentle.
No extreme pressure, and avoid doing this on delicate mixer taps that aren’t designed for backward flow.
If you’re unsure skip this one and try an easier method.
Run the Entire System for a Few Minutes
Believe it or not, sometimes simply running everything can help shift the air.
Try this:
Turn on all your cold taps.
Turn on all your hot taps.
Flush your toilets.
Let water run for about 3–5 minutes.
This creates a steady movement throughout the system, which is sometimes enough to nudge an air bubble along and out.
It’s simple, safe, and worth trying first.
Check the Problem Tap Individually
If only one tap is being difficult, it may just need a bit of encouragement.
Try:
Turning it on fully
Letting it run for a minute
Turning it off
Waiting
Trying again
Sometimes the pressure builds just enough to push the air through.
If it coughs, sputters, and then suddenly flows normally success.
Bleeding Radiators
If you’re hearing gurgling in the radiators or the top of a radiator is cold, you might have air in the heating side rather than the water side.
Bleeding radiators is easy, but do keep an eye on your boiler pressure afterwards. You don’t want it dipping too low.
If you’re not confident doing this, leave it for a plumber.
When an Airlock Isn’t Really “Just an Airlock”
Sometimes you can try all the usual tricks, and nothing happens.
That usually means one of two things:
It’s not actually an airlock
There’s an underlying issue causing it
This could be:
A worn-out tap valve
A failing pump
A blockage
A pipe that’s not sloping correctly
A mixer tap that’s letting air in
A hidden leak causing air to re-enter the system
When problems start repeating themselves or affecting multiple taps, it’s a sign you need a professional to look deeper.
And that’s perfectly normal plumbing is complex behind the scenes, even when the symptoms look simple.
When It’s Time to Call a Plumber
If you’ve tried the basics and the flow still hasn’t returned to normal, there’s no shame in calling a professional. In fact, it’s the quickest way to avoid damaging your plumbing by forcing water where it shouldn’t go.
A plumber can:
Identify where the air is trapped
Find out why it happened
Check for leaks or blockages
Fix pressure problems
Make sure it doesn’t happen again
Most airlock-related callouts are quick and straightforward the important part is making sure the root cause is addressed.
Final Thoughts
Airlocks are frustrating, noisy and inconvenient but thankfully, they’re usually simple to resolve. A bit of knowledge and a gentle approach can often clear the issue and if not, a trained plumber can get everything flowing again without the risk of causing extra damage.
If your taps are still spluttering or refusing to behave, don’t sit in silence with it help is only a call away, and your water system will be back to normal in no time.
Struggling With an Airlock? We Can Help.
If you’ve tried the basic methods and your taps still aren’t behaving, don’t worry we deal with airlocks every day. We’ll find where the air is trapped, clear it safely and make sure there’s no underlying issue causing the problem. Fast, friendly and stress-free.