An airlock in pipes will either prevent hot water from leaving the taps or leave your radiators cold. Airlocks happen when air gets trapped in the hot water or central heating system. This then prevents hot water from circulating properly.
In this guide, we'll take you through how to clear an airlock in the central heating system.
If you are having issues with your boiler that do not seem like an airlock in the pipes, you may end up needing to invest in a new boiler to solve the problem.
If this is the case, you will obviously want to get a new boiler for the best possible price. This is something we can help with.
The best way to ensure you aren't overpaying for a boiler installation is by comparing quotes from multiple heating engineers. There are 2 ways you can do this:
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Airlocks happen when air is trapped in the system. This air forms a blockage which gets in the way of the hot water as it makes its way to the taps or the central heating system.
An airlock in the hot water system will prevent water from coming out of the affected tap. While an airlock in the central heating system will result in some, or all, of your radiators failing to heat up properly.
Signs of an airlock in pipes include:
No hot water from taps or showers
Hot water spluttering out of taps
Cold spots on one or more radiators
How to clear an airlock from hot water system
If you're turning the hot water tap and nothing is coming out then it's time to take action. There are 2 ways to remove air from the hot water system and we talk you through them both below.
Method 1:
The first way to clear an airlock involves attaching a hose pipe to the hot and cold taps at a sink. Then, turn the cold tap on so that the water flows through the hose pipe and into the hot water tap. This flow of cold water into the hot water tap should clear the airlock.
To do this, you'll need:
1 metre of garden hose pipe
Duct tape
Step 1: At 1 of the sinks in your home, use the hose pipe and duct tape to connect the hot water tap outlet with the outlet of the cold water tap. Put the open ends of the hose pipe where the water comes out and duct tape them in place, making sure it's secure.
Step 2: Turn the hot water tap on.
Step 3: Turn the cold water tap on for 3-5 seconds and then turn it off.
Step 4: Run the hot water at a sink in another room.
Step 5: Repeat the process 5-8 times.
If the hot water is working, you've successfully cleared the airlock. If not, then you might want to try the second method.
Method 2:
If the hose pipe didn't do the trick it's time to try this second method.
Step 1: Turn off the mains water supply.
Step 2: Turn on all taps, beginning with the top floor and then working your way downstairs, and wait until the water stops flowing.
Step 3: Flush all toilets until no water is left too.
Step 4: Turn your taps until they're almost completely off so that a small amount of water will be able to get through.
Step 5: Turn the water supply back on.
Step 6: Turn all taps until they’re halfway open and then open them up all the way.
Following these steps should force any trapped air out of the system, allowing the hot water to flow again.
Should neither of the above methods work, then it's time to contact a professional heating engineer.
Clearing an airlock from central heating system
Cold spots on a radiator – particularly at the top – are a strong indication of an airlock in pipes. This is because the air is acting as a blockage, stopping the hot water from circulating around the radiator effectively. Before long, you'll find yourself turning the heating and putting additional strain on your boiler.
Fortunately, clearing this trapped air is simply a case of bleeding the radiators.
You can do this safely yourself and all you need is:
Radiator key (can be picked up in DIY stores for 50p -£3)
Dry cloth (or towel)
A container to catch water
Step 1: Turn off the central heating and wait for it to cool all the way down
Step 2: Use the radiator key to turn the bleed valve at the top of the radiator in an anti-clockwise direction. Place the container underneath to catch any water that may come out of the radiator.
Step 3: As you turn, you'll hear a hissing sound which is the air escaping. Once this sound ends water will trickle out so turn the valve clockwise to lock the valve. Avoid doing this too tightly.
Follow this process for all of the radiators around your property. Once you've finished, check the pressure gauge on your boiler (it should be around 1.5) and make sure there's no sign of leaking.
Cold radiators can also be caused by a build-up of sludge in the heating system. To clear this, you will need to arrange for a qualified heating engineer to perform a powerflush.
Find a heating engineer to clear an airlock
If you've given clearing the airlock your best shot but still aren't getting any hot water, then it's time to contact a heating engineer.
A heating engineer will start by finding out that an airlock is actually causing the problem and then, if it is, clear the trapped air from the system.
You can get free no-obligation repair quotes from up to 3 Boiler Guide approved heating engineers based in your local area by completing our simple online boiler quotes form. Comparing multiple quotes will give you the highest chance of finding the best deal for the work.
If you're not certain that it is an airlock causing a problem with your boiler, you may need to get professional advice, and may even require a boiler replacement. If this is the case, we can help you to get the best price.
Simply spend a minute or two filling in our short form, and we'll put you in contact with up to 3 qualified heating engineers from our network.
They'll provide you with quotes and you can pick the one that’s best suited to you. It's as simple as that! You can click the button below to get started.
Nick has a wide range of experience writing about conventional and renewable heating solutions, and is always increasing his knowledge by researching any new heating technologies on the horizon.
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