Have you ever turned on your tap only to be greeted by a sputtering mess instead of a steady stream?

Or maybe you hear an annoying knocking sound coming from your pipes?

These are tell-tale signs of air trapped in your water pipes, also known as an airlock. Whilst air in your pipes can be frustrating, it's usually a simple issue to resolve, and one you may be able to resolve yourself with a little DIY know-how.

Understanding Airlocks: Why Does Air Get in the Pipes?

Trapped air in water pipes occurs when pockets of air become lodged within the plumbing system, disrupting the flow of water. This phenomenon can occur for several reasons, including:

• Initial Installation: During the installation of new plumbing systems or the replacement of pipes, air can become trapped in the pipework and unable to work its way free.
• Empty Pipes: When you turn off the water supply for maintenance or repairs, air can seep into the empty pipes. When you turn the water back on, it has to push the air out before flowing normally.
• Rapid Pressure Changes: Quickly shutting off a valve or turning off a large appliance like a washing machine can cause a pressure surge, sucking air into the pipes.
• Leaks or Repairs: When plumbing repairs are made or leaks occur it can allow air to be drawn into the system, especially at high points in the plumbing.

Identifying the Symptoms of Air in Your Pipes

Before attempting to remove trapped air from your water pipes, it's essential to identify the symptoms associated with this issue.

Common signs of trapped air include:

• Sputtering or Spurting Water: When you turn on a tap or shower, you may notice irregular bursts of water, indicating air in the pipes.
• Low Water Pressure: Trapped air can impede the flow of water, resulting in lower water pressure throughout your plumbing fixtures.
• Gurgling Sounds: Air bubbles moving through the pipes can create gurgling or bubbling noises, particularly when water is running.
• Inconsistent Water Temperature: If air is trapped in your hot water pipes, you may experience fluctuations in water temperature when using hot water fixtures.

Now that you're familiar with the causes and symptoms of trapped air in your water pipes, let's look at some DIY steps you can take that can try to resolve it yourself.

DIY Fixes for Airlocks in your Plumbing.

In most cases, you can get rid of airlocks yourself with a little patience and these simple steps:

1. Locate the Shut-Off Valve or Stopcock: Find the main water supply valve for your home. It looks like a regular tap but has pipe going into one end and out the other, with no outlet spout (see image below). It's often located under the kitchen sink but may be found elsewhere in older houses, towards the front of the house, in a cupboard or even in your basement.
2. Turn Off the Water: Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water supply completely.
3. Open the Taps: With the water off, open all the taps (hot and cold) in your house, including the bath, shower and outside hose tap (if applicable). Open them fully, but not forcefully.
4. Release the Air: Once the remaining water clears from the pipes, you may hear air hissing out of the open taps. Let them run for several minutes until there is no further water coming from any of the taps.
5. Turn On the Water Supply: Slowly turn the main shut-water valve counter-clockwise to reintroduce water into the system, the taps will all start flowing, releasing any further air in the process.
6. Close the Taps: Once you have a steady stream from all taps, start closing them one by one, beginning with the furthest one from the main shut-off valve and working your way back.