Hi there, I asked a question yesterday and Tony TSP suggested using a plastic bag to get rid of an airlock, I've tried this on my mixer tap in my kitchen however the pressure breaks thorugh even thick bags after about 10 seconds. Does this mean that the pressure is high and suggest that an airlock isn't the problem? Or does it mean I just need a stronger bag over the mixer tap?!! How will I know when I've had the bag on long enough and how much should I open the cold tap in order to perform this trick successfully? Thanks so much for the help thus far - if I can sort this without spending half my wages on a plumber I'd be chuffed!! PS there are flats above and below me, how plausible is it that one of those could affect my hot water (See original question yesterday ' hot water in pipes....')

Paul, July 2007

Firstly make sure all hot taps in the house are in the closed position. Then either proceed with option 1 or 2. Step 3 applies to both.

1. If the hot and cold taps in the kitchen are separate i.e. not combined in a mixer tap, the hot tap should be turned on. If there is an airlock, no water will come from the hot tap. A short length of hose should be used to connect the hot and cold taps in the kitchen only. Turning on the cold tap will result in the cold water being forced through the hot water system and this will force the air which is causing the airlock back into the water tank in the attic.

OR

2. If there is a mixer tap in the kitchen, the hot tap should be turned on. With a cloth in your hand (to help reduce water squirting out) block the mixer tap and turn on the cold water tap gently. This should force the cold water back through the hot water system, forcing the air into the water tank in the attic. Care should be exercised when doing this in case of accidental scalding with hot water.

3. Let this run for 1 – 2 minutes, then turn off the cold tap and let the hot tap run for 1 – 2 minutes to confirm that the air lock is cleared. If the air lock is not cleared, repeat the procedure one or two times more. If this is not successful, contact a plumber and get them to correct the problem. In rare cases the cold water taps in wash hand basins or the bath may also be air locked. This procedure will also work for them, but is more difficult as a long length of hose is necessary from the kitchen cold tap to the nearest wash hand basin or bath tap.

Sconny, December 2010

if you are in block of flats it could be that someone in the block has had some work done and turned your water supply off whilst trying to locate there own and forgotten to turn back on,ring block management or lease management and see if they know of any works,however you will have to locate tanks and check valves they should be labeled but as usual probably not,thats the next step
it is unlightly you have an air lock if tank not in flat but on main roof
do not get confused with boiler pump or small tank as these for heating water in cylinder not the supply
The cold feed pipe to the cylinder is the pipe that goes into the bottom of your cylinder oppersite side to heating pipes

tony..tsp, July 2007