How to Remove an Airlock from Your Hot Water System

If the cold water runs OK, but the hot water doesn't, or runs slowly then trickles off, then you may have an airlock, which is when air in the pipes isn't being moved by the hot water, thereby blocking the pipe.

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the end that is not connected to the hot water connection of the washing machine

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How do I fix an airlock in a hydronic heater that is connected to a hydronic water system in a condo community?

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Within your distribution piping, normally at the heater a small tank is mounted on top of the piping, or there may be a small spring-loaded valve. The tank fills with water and presses against a rubber bladder pressurized with air, which fills and empties in response to system pressure. The bladder breaks or leaks and no longer maintains system pressure and needs to be replaced. The spring-loaded valve works in opening and releasing high pressure and air during extreme system pressure. This valve can be manually released (warning: hot temperatures!) to bleed off pressure/air. This valve fails when the spring breaks or gets soft and must be replaced.

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How do I remove an airlock in my hot water system?

Community Answer

You remove the airlock from your hot water system by flooding it, and then it becomes a waterlock system.

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What do I do if the hot water doesn't work consistently?

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Call a plumber. If that doesn't work, mix boled water with water from the cold tap to take a bath.

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Check that your airlock is fixed, after all this.

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Similar techniques can be followed by using a mixer shower: Block the water from coming out of the shower head, with say a thin plastic bag placed over the pipe

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Warnings

Hot water can scald, even if there is an airlock.

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Do NOT use either method if you have a pump pressurizing the system for power showers, etc.

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