air lock problem?

[joe27]

I have a kitchen sink hot tap problem, it seems to keep getting a re-occurring air lock, all the other hot taps work fine, I can get rid of the air lock and the problem tap will flow fine until I use another hot tap and then the tap pressure fades off to nothing. The supply pipe runs under a solid floor from the bathroom( i think ). All the taps are on the same floor. Any ideas?

 

[Simon F]

hello Joe,
how do you get rid of the "airlock"?
is this old pipework with a new problem, or has it been an issue from installation?
could it be a blockage in the section of pipe that is getting moved?

 

[joe27]

I have a kitchen sink hot tap problem, it seems to keep getting a re-occurring air lock, all the other hot taps work fine, I can get rid of the air lock and the problem tap will flow fine until I use another hot tap and then the tap pressure fades off to nothing. The supply pipe runs under a solid floor from the bathroom( i think ). All the taps are on the same floor. Any ideas?

Hi simon,thanks for your reply.
I got rid of the air lock by sending mains pressure up the hot pipework,I did this a couple of times and it rectified the problem until I ran another hot tap and then the pressure fades off,its pipework which i think has been recently put in as its a holiday home that has been done up,I don't know how the pipes run exactly as I didn't install it and they're under a solid floor,I was hoping not to have to start ripping the concrete floor up to get to pipes if possible.

 

[diamondgas]

Hi Joe :welcome: to the forum ... I think Simon F hints to a valid possibility of blockage/restriction. How familiar are you with messing with pipework? Do you know if there's an isolation valve supplying the said tap?

 

[joe27]

Hi Joe :welcome: to the forum ... I think Simon F hints to a valid possibility of blockage/restriction. How familiar are you with messing with pipework? Do you know if there's an isolation valve supplying the said tap?

Hi diamondgas, thanks for your reply.
There is an isolation valve on the pipework to the problem tap which I have checked and is fine.
With regards to messing with pipework,I'm not familiar with any methods of clearing blockages in pipework other than forcing mains pressure through or removing and replacing the problem pipework. Look forward to any more advise you may have, thank you.

 

[JCplumb]

Clear your airlock, then close the supply to the tap using the isolation valve.
Do whatever you normally do that causes the airlock, then open the isolation valve and check to see if it's airlocked.
If it isn't then you have a faulty tap that is allowing air into the system when water is drawn from another tap. Replace/repair the tap. I'd hazard a guess at the problem being ceramic discs, are they quarter turn?
If it is airlocked then air is getting in somewhere else and you're best bet would be to call a plumber in.

 

[diamondgas]

Hi diamondgas, thanks for your reply.
There is an isolation valve on the pipework to the problem tap which I have checked and is fine.
With regards to messing with pipework,I'm not familiar with any methods of clearing blockages in pipework other than forcing mains pressure through or removing and replacing the problem pipework. Look forward to any more advise you may have, thank you.

If you have an iso fitted under the sink and you feel competent to do so, turn it off, disconnect it from the tap, attach a hose to the open end and open the iso! If it's blockage in the pipe you'll see the flow reduce. Am I right in assuming that there are tanks in the loft and this is a tank fed system?

 

[joe27]

If you have an iso fitted under the sink and you feel competent to do so, turn it off, disconnect it from the tap, attach a hose to the open end and open the iso! If it's blockage in the pipe you'll see the flow reduce. Am I right in assuming that there are tanks in the loft and this is a tank fed system?

Hi thank you for the reply.
I have done this and without the tap the flow is fine,when I reconnect the tap then the flow reduces after a couple of minutes but only when I use another hot tap.Yes there is a tank in the loft. Faulty tap maybe ? although the tap has been replaced once already.

 

[joe27]

Clear your airlock, then close the supply to the tap using the isolation valve.
Do whatever you normally do that causes the airlock, then open the isolation valve and check to see if it's airlocked.
If it isn't then you have a faulty tap that is allowing air into the system when water is drawn from another tap. Replace/repair the tap. I'd hazard a guess at the problem being ceramic discs, are they quarter turn?
If it is airlocked then air is getting in somewhere else and you're best bet would be to call a plumber in.

Hi thanks for the reply,
Once i have cleared the airlock the flow is fine without the tap until I run another hot tap,the tap has been changed once,maybe change it again for a different make?

 

[diamondgas]

Hi thank you for the reply.
I have done this and without the tap the flow is fine,when I reconnect the tap then the flow reduces after a couple of minutes but only when I use another hot tap.Yes there is a tank in the loft. Faulty tap maybe ? although the tap has been replaced once already.

Could you be running off enough water to run the tank dry in the loft? If not then with the pipe disconnected from the tap and opening another tap, does that effect the flow through the open end to the extent it effect the tap when connected? If so then most likely blockage, if not then I'd say tap! However if you've already replaced it then it may pay to get a plumber in to scratch his head over the problem

 

[joe27]

Could you be running off enough water to run the tank dry in the loft? If not then with the pipe disconnected from the tap and opening another tap, does that effect the flow through the open end to the extent it effect the tap when connected? If so then most likely blockage, if not then I'd say tap! However if you've already replaced it then it may pay to get a plumber in to scratch his head over the problem

ok thank you,i will try both suggestions