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Problems involving the house's hydraulics are often frightening. After all, we have no way of knowing exactly what is going on inside the walls. That is why it is important to be aware of any noise or behavior other than the flow of water. If we notice instabilities early on, we can avoid major inconveniences and breakage of walls to fix leaks or damaged pipes.

What can cause air problem in plumbing?

In general, air in the pipes happens when there is some discontinuation in the water supply. This can happen when there is a lack of water in the supply network in your neighborhood, or when the house or apartment's water tap closes.

It is more common to happen when the water supply is cut off for long periods. Therefore, if your region lacks water frequently, this can be a recurrent problem. If you need to close the registry for a quick fix, don't worry, this brief period will hardly cause air to enter the plumbing.

Another moment that can cause this problem is when the water tank is cleaned. Even if you refill your reservoir, air can enter the pipe and make it difficult for water to flow to the faucets, showers and toilets.

How do I know if there is air in the plumbing?

There are some signs that may appear when you need to take the air out of the pipes:

Strange noises in the piping, which could be identified as the vibration of the pipeline. 

  • Difficult water distribution, with some points functioning normally while some water outlets fail;
  • Low pressure when turning on taps or showers;
  • Little flow at the time of triggering the toilet flush;

And then, how to get the air out of the plumbing?

If the problem really is air in the plumbing, you should be able to catch up on your water flow by following these steps:

The first step is to close the main water valve in the house, the one located near the hydrometer.

Now is the time when you need to open all the water outlets in the house. Ask for help from someone in your family, if possible! Open and leave all taps in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and outdoor area open.

Also turn on the shower(s). Remember to turn off the temperature so your device doesn't burn!

You must also empty the toilet tanks. Flush as many times as necessary until there is no more water in the pipes.

After water has stopped flowing from all outlets and you are sure there is no more water in the pipeline, open the main valve again.

Now the idea is to let the water flow until there is a consistent flow.

When you feel that the water is flowing normally, turn off all taps and showers.

This is the simplest way you'll find how to get air out of the pipes. If the flow does not return to normal after this procedure, there is still the option of removing the shower valve. However, for this option you will need some tools such as a spanner, screwdriver and griffin.

If the register is outside the bathroom box, place a bucket underneath to contain the water when removing the register. Allow the water to drain until the flow is very strong – you may need more than one bucket. Put the valve back on and open the faucets and showers to test if there is still air in the plumbing.

Can I do something to prevent air from entering the pipes again?

A very basic but efficient tip is to turn off the general water valve whenever cuts in the general water supply are foreseen. Of course, we are not always warned about the lack of supply, so the way is to turn everything off as soon as we notice the cut. When we close the general valve, we prevent the water remains from pushing air into the pipe.

If the problem happens very often, there are some devices on the market that promise to eliminate air from the pipes. However, these equipment do not have guaranteed effectiveness, so it is worth consulting a plumber to reflect if the investment is really worthwhile.

Can air in water pipes cause other problems?

It is clear that the disturbances caused by the air in the pipes, such as the low flow of water, interfere with daily life. But the worst part is the damage that can arise from a relatively simple problem.

If not resolved, the air in the plumbing can cause excessive vibration in the pipes, which can cause cracks and, consequently, leaks inside floors and walls. Another consequence of excess air in the pipes can be the gradual lack of water and clogging of the sewer.

The air pockets that form in the tubes, in addition to interfering with the performance of the water flow, can also increase your expenses on the water bill. This is another sign to watch out for: if your bill becomes more expensive, for no apparent reason, call a professional leak hunter to check for possible water leaks.

If you've gone through the step-by-step instructions on how to get air out of your plumbing and the water flow still hasn't returned to normal, it might be time to seek expert help. With a brief description of the problem, you can request a free quote from a Best  plumber. Report that an attempt was made to remove the air from the pipes, but that the procedure did not work. So the plumber can solve your case faster!

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