Have you turned on a tap only to find water spluttering, coming out in short bursts or not flowing at all? Well, you could have an airlock in your pipes. It’s a common plumbing problem that can happen after repairs, draining the water system or an interruption to the supply.
But what exactly is an airlock, what causes it and how can you get rid of it? In this blog, we look at the common causes, the signs to watch out for and when to call a plumber.
If you’re having problems with your water flow, don’t spend time guessing what’s wrong or trying different fixes. A plumber needs to check your pipework, identify the cause and help get your water flowing properly again. We can help you with experienced local plumbers who remove trapped air inside your pipes. Find out more about our airlock removal service.
Now, let’s start by looking at what an airlock actually is.
What Is an Air Lock in Pipes?
An airlock is air trapped inside a water pipe, stopping water from flowing as it should. It often forms around bends or higher sections of pipework where air can get stuck. You might notice the problem with just one tap or shower, while the rest of your water supply works normally. For example, if cold water flows fine but you get little or no hot water from one tap, there could be an airlock in that section of pipework. If the trapped air is a sign of another problem with the pipework, leaving it unchecked could lead to further water flow issues or more extensive plumbing repairs.
How Does Air Get Trapped Inside Pipework?
Often air enters your plumbing during repairs, draining the water system or interruptions to the water supply. If it cannot escape, it can become trapped and affect how water flows through your taps and showers.
Some common causes of airlocks include:
- Plumbing Repairs and Installation Work
- Draining and Refilling the Water System
- Interrupted Water Supply
- Poorly Designed or Altered Pipework
- Faulty Valves, Connections or Leaks
If you keep experiencing problems with your water flow, the cause may be more than trapped air. Having a local plumber in London check the pipework can help stop the same problem from coming back.
Signs Your Pipes May Have an Airlock
An airlock in a pipe can affect your water supply in different ways. You might notice taps spluttering, water pressure dropping or your shower suddenly running slower than usual. These problems can affect just one outlet or several parts of your plumbing system. Look out for these common signs:
- 1. Taps Spluttering or Releasing Bursts of Water
- 2.Little or No Water Coming From a Tap
- 3. Gurgling Sounds Inside the Pipes
- 4. Inconsistent Hot Water Flow
- 5. Reduced Shower Flow
- 6. Water Flow That Starts and Stops
If you notice any of these problems, it is worth having your plumbing checked. What seems like a simple airlock in a water pipe could be another fault that gets worse if left untreated. Finding the cause early can help avoid further damage and more expensive repairs.
The Effects of Airlocks in Water Pipes
Is It Really an Airlock? Other Problems That Cause Similar Symptoms
Not every drop in water flow means you have an airlock. A few other plumbing problems can cause the same symptoms, and trying to clear trapped air will not help if the real cause is something else.
For example, a partly closed stop tap, blocked pipework, faulty taps or valves, problems with the incoming water supply or a leaking pipe can all affect how water flows through your home.
The important thing is to find out what is actually causing the problem before trying to fix it. If your water flow has changed suddenly or the issue keeps coming back, having a plumber inspect the system can save you time, prevent unnecessary repairs and help stop a small fault from becoming a bigger one.
How to Prevent Airlocks in Water Pipes
Airlocks cannot always be prevented, particularly after plumbing repairs or interruptions to the water supply. However, making sure your plumbing system is properly installed, maintained and checked after repairs can reduce the risk of problems.
Pipework should be installed correctly, the system refilled properly after draining, and any leaks or faulty connections dealt with before they lead to further issues. Unnecessary changes to pipework should also be avoided, as poorly positioned pipes can make it easier for air to become trapped.
Why Your Plumbing System Needs Regular Maintenance
Not all homes have the same plumbing system. From our daily work across Greater London, we mostly find that some homes use gravity-fed systems, while others have combi boilers or unvented hot water cylinders.
This matters because the right way to deal with an airlock depends on the type of system. A method that works for one installation may not be the right one to use for another. Regular maintenance can help prevent recurring water flow problems by checking for leaks, faulty valves, blocked pipes and other issues.
It is also important to check the system after repairs or changes to the pipework to make sure everything is working correctly.
When Should You Call a Plumber for an Airlock?
If your taps are spluttering, water flow has stopped or your hot water is not working properly, the problem may be an airlock. However, similar signs can also be caused by blocked pipes, faulty valves or other plumbing faults. If you cannot identify the cause, the problem keeps returning or you are unsure how to clear the airlock safely, it is best to call an emergency plumber rather than risk making the problem worse.
We can help you with it and can send you a local plumber to check and resolve airlocks in water pipes across Greater London for domestic and commercial customers. Our service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, with a 45-minute arrival target subject to your location and plumber availability.
If you are experiencing low water flow, spluttering taps or problems with your hot water supply, call us and we can send you to find the right plumber who can remove the trapped air.
Airlock in pipes faq
FAQ
Airlocks commonly develop after plumbing repairs, draining and refilling a system or interruptions to the water supply. Air can remain trapped in sections of pipework, particularly around high points where it cannot easily escape.
Common signs include spluttering taps, interrupted water flow, gurgling noises and problems with individual hot or cold water outlets. However, these symptoms can also indicate blockages, faulty valves or other plumbing problems.
The correct method depends on the plumbing system and where the trapped air is located. Some straightforward problems can be resolved by allowing the system to refill and vent correctly, while others require a plumber to identify and remove the trapped air safely.
Yes. An airlock can affect the hot water pipework while the cold water supply continues working normally. This can happen in systems where hot and cold water are supplied through different pipe arrangements.
Yes. If an underlying issue with the pipework, water supply or plumbing installation remains unresolved, trapped air or similar flow problems may return. A recurring problem should be investigated rather than repeatedly cleared without identifying its cause.
Not necessarily. An airlock is caused by trapped air interfering with water flow and does not automatically indicate damaged pipework. However, if the problem keeps returning, the system should be checked for leaks, restrictions or other faults.
Remove Trapped air inside your pipes
Give us a call today to get rid of trapped air inside your pipework and avoid costly repairs in the future. We are available 24/7 and will be with you within 45 minutes. Get in touch now!