One may think that sputtering water from the faucet is not such a big problem, but this hides some troubles in the long run. Turning on the water and having your faucet shake and sputter usually means that there is air trapped in the water pipes. Having air in the water pipes means that oxidation occurs, which leads to rust and corrosion. The latter two can lead to damage not only to the pipes, knees, and the entire water installation but also to appliances, like the washing machine or the boiler. The most common problems caused by air in the water lines are the noise it might make and the decrease in water pressure.
What causes the issue is frequent water supply interruptions due to maintenance or other activity. When the water supply is cut off for a certain period this may allow air to enter the water supply system. If plumbing is old or if you are using a boiler then it would be more susceptible, and the problem might be harder to deal with. A boiler means installation and water flow that are prone to be affected by water supply cut-offs. There is a way to avoid this by going for a tankless gas water heater, so if you are keen on that idea make sure to check out these reviews of the top-rated tankless gas water heaters before you take any action.
Household issues can sometimes get complicated and cause frustration due to the many diverse aspects to consider in each different building. For example, depending on the water heater you are using, the quality and state of your plumbing, and the quality of water supply, you have to make a thorough research on the type of hot water recirculation pump you can buy. If you have a tankless water heater you will most probably need a more powerful pump. You can read all about it in this high-quality recirculation hot water pumps guide and gain more insight. Nevertheless, this is one way of not only ridding yourself of the air in your pipes, accommodating your everyday life better and also saving water, hence money.
No matter what your specific circumstances are, and which one of the methods and tricks works for you, what you would like is to have clean and healthy water supplied to your home.
Follow These Steps to Remove Air From The Hot Water Line
As a starting point turn off the main water supply valve. Slowly turn on and run all the taps in your house. Do not open them to the full extent but only halfway. This might solve the problem by removing all air pockets. If the house has more than one floor, then start at the top one. Along with the taps, you should flush all toilets. Once all faucets have been running for some time you can shut them off and unwind the aerators. Make sure to clean them out of any particles, like sand, for example, and then wind them back on. If you have faucet water filters it would be best to remove them before the procedure.
Another, more fun, method for getting rid of an airlock is by pressing on the faucet with your thumb and holding it tight. Then turning the hot water full-on and very slowly turning on the cold water. Wait for a minute, then turn off the cold water, release the faucet from your grip and let it run for a few seconds. It will probably run cold but that is because of the cold water going up through the pipes. What happens is that the mains pressure is pushing the water back into the pipe all the way through the plumbing and unblocking the airlock.
Of course, today most faucets are with the so-called “mixers”, so you would think that the above-described fun is not applicable, but you would be partially wrong. It works on a mixer as well, but only if there is no non-return valve inside it. Some mixers are made with non-return valves and some without, so you just have to know or check yours. The non-return valve will not let water back up the pipe and sabotage this entire procedure. If there is no valve, then you can try it and see how it works.
Grip tightly on the spout of the faucet, turn on the hot water, and gradually move toward the cold water. Once it has run for a few seconds, start going back to the hot water, again very slowly. Again, let it run for a few seconds and then turn it off.
However, the issue might be in the hot water tank, which would imply having to empty it. By emptying it you will not only remove any air but also any residues or sediment. This procedure is usually done once a year but if the problem is more persistent it can be done twice a year.
Shut off the power source to the heater and let it cool. Whilst it is cooling the tap should not be used or left open. Using the drain tap you can empty the tank after it is cooled but have in mind that it is better to use a hose instead of emptying it in a bucket, for example, because you will not have to close and open the tap and facilitate air going in again. At this point the cold-water feed is open so water will be running. If you run it a bit longer you will flush out all sediment from the tank. You can now close the drain valve and once the tank is full turn the heat on.
Finally, we have to highlight the fact that nothing beats quality products. In order to avoid such hassles as the one we have outlined above, we recommend you check these reviews of the finest electric tankless water heaters out there. Making the right purchase always goes a long way.
Also, if you are curious about how water heater heat traps work, find out now!