Air Lock in Water System

[Trose99]

Hi,

My mum lives in a flat and keeps on getting an air lock in the water system, i can clear this by using the mixer tap in the kitchen which pushes the air lock out.

the problem i have is this keeps on happening on a regular basis i was hoping somebody could advise if there is a way to clear it better?

Thanks in advance

 

[JohnD]

does it happen when she runs the bath?

hot and cold taps together?

post a pic of the water tank(s) please.

 

[HERTS P&D]

If she has a cold water storage tank in a cupboard then the answer is a faulty float valve.

Andy

 

[Gasplumber]

As above dodgy float valve is your best bet. just hold it down and you should get a good flow.

 

[MeldrewsMate]

From your description the airlock occurs only in the hot water supply.....(?)
If the hot water comes from a 'cold over hot' combination tank then I would agree with previous comments (except to say the answer is not a faulty float valve, rather the problem is that).
The problem is that the small cold water (CWS) tank empties when high water flows are drawn (such as filling a bath)...the filling valve (float valve) can't keep up and air is drawn into the hot tank and delivery pipework. The air won't clear if the pipework doesn't allow it to rise to a vent, hence the 'airlock'.

Refurbishing or replacing the cold water filling valve means the CWS tank refills faster, and its level is less likely to fall to zero, thus reducing incidences of 'airlock'.

If the CWS is in a loft then another solution may be needed.

 

[Gasplumber]

Yes that’s correct possibly too although unlikely as it’s his mom in a flat.
The usual suspect of the random airlocks is the ballcock
Obviously tank sizing can play a part but it’s not the norm.
In the same way maybe the main passed through the downstairs flat and they’re doing work and keep turning the water off. Thus upstairs flat drains and airlocks! just keep it simple to start with!

 

[Madrab]

keeps on getting an air lock in the water system

What cold/hot water system does she have?

 

[Trose99]

So just to be clear my mums flat has recently been bought from the council so it has been maintained by them for a few years.

now i dont know what system is i know for a fact its not a combi boiler now there is a water tank(I think) in the cupoard which heats up water i assume there is another tank in the loft as she is the top floor flat.

i do remember a few years ago when the repairman came to sort the hot water not working due to the airlock it was him who told me how to unblock the airlock with the method i mentioned above. he did so if it happens on a regular basis something else will have to be done to clear the air lock on a regular basis

sorry for the confusion i am far from a plumber and i have asked a local plumber who seemed to be completly clueless of what the do with the issue

 

[HERTS P&D]

i have asked a local plumber who seemed to be completely clueless of what the do with the issue

Get a new local plumber, or if you are allowed and can get into the loft, then take a few pictures of the cold water storage tank float valve with the water running in the bath.

Don't fall through the ceiling and don't drop your phone in the water.

Andy

 

[Madrab]

Give us a picture of the cylinder too