If no water, or a
spluttering supply, comes out of the hot tap when its opened, the
likely cause is an air lock.
If you have an
automatic washing machine, and have both the hot and cold supplies
connected, an effective remedy can be implemented quite easily.
The cold water to at
least one of the downstairs taps will be connected directly to the
mains (this is generally the kitchen sink tap). The washing machine
will be connected to this run of cold pipe as it needs mains
pressure to work properly. The mains pressure of the cold water is
much greater than that of the hot water and we can use this greater
pressure to push any air locks back to the hot water storage tank.
Disconnect the cold
water hose from the back of the washing machine (Turn the valve off
first). Disconnect the hot water hose from the valve on the hot
water pipe. (Turn this valve off first also). Now connect the free
end of the cold hose, to the free, hot valve. Turn on the hot water
valve and then the cold water valve. This will now allow the greater
pressure of the cold water to push any air back up the hot water
pipe.
Leave both valves
open for approximately 30 seconds and then close, cold first. Now
check the flow from the hot tap at the kitchen sink and the air
should have been dispelled. If not repeat above. If, after 3
attempts, the problem is still there, please contact a plumber from
our directory ( Locate a specialist ). There may be a problem with
your system.
If
your washing machine only has the cold connected, another way of
utilising the higher cold pressure to clear an air lock is by
connecting the cold tap to the hot tap. This can be done, in most
cases, with a piece of hosepipe and a couple of jubilee clips. Make
absolutely sure the connections are sound and do not leave the taps
unattended. If you have a mixer tap in the kitchen, the same method
can be used, but you will need a longer piece of hose to utilise the
cold from the mains tap and the hot from another tap.
Need help?
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