Plumbing lines tend to come with an array of problems. A significant one is the annoying sounds you hear in your walls, faucets, and pipes when air is trapped in hot water lines.
However, air lurking in your water lines shouldn’t cause you to jump into panic mode. Because after a quick diagnosis, you’ll be able to trace the source of the problem and get them fixed.
We’ll show you how in this article.
The symptoms: signs of air-water lines
Due to the nature of plumbing and how it cuts across various sections of the house, these signs are unmissable. But unfortunately, they tend to scream at you and distract you from your daily tasks.
These are a few classic signs you’d want to keep an eye out for.
The major one is a loud gurgling and pinging noise from your pipes.
Another sign is when your water doesn’t flow properly. Instead, it sputters out suddenly as you turn on the hot faucet.
This irregular flow, it can cause your pipes to vibrate at low pressures.
The diagnosis: how does air get into the pipes?
There’s no straightforward answer to this. We’ll have to reflect on various causes to get a clear picture.
This way, we’ll be able to determine the correct fix for a specific problem.
From municipal water
This boils down to maintenance issues that could be going on in your area. For example, when water is shut off,, and new plumbing is added to your neighborhood’s water lines, air finds its way into the system.
From well water
In a well water system, air usually finds its way in through the two valves in the pumps. Namely, the check valve and foot valve. They can get loose and allow outside air in.
The check valve is the most common culprit of the two, and a lot of air troubles will be prevented by ensuring it’s hand-tight.
Another problem arises when the water level falls way below the reach of the pump feed line. This is common during drought, and a ton of pressure is put on the pump at such low levels. This causes the feed line to suck in the air alongside water into the plumbing system.
Air in hot water pipes only
If you notice any signs of air in your hot water lines only, then it’s coming from the water heater.
Simply heating water causes small pockets of air to form. But usually, these pockets will disappear before the water leaves the heater.
However, if the heater hasn’t been purged for a while, air builds up, and the trapped air will head into the hot water lines.
The fix: How to remove air from hot water lines
A simple way to get rid of the air is to purge your tank. Ideally, this process should be carried out at least once a year.
Now, let’s look at a breakdown of that process:
- Turn off the source of power
- Allow the cold water line to open, and ensure all hot water taps are closed.
- Find the drain tap at the bottom of the tank. Then, gently place a bucket underneath it.
- Attach a hose line and run it to your basement’s sewer.
- Open the drain valve and empty the tank.
- As the cold water fills the tank, sediments and trapped air will be forced out.
- Pay attention to the bottom of the bucket. When you notice the water is clear and no sediments appear again, close the drain valve and allow the tank to fill back up.
- Restore power to the water heater.
Jay
Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."
