no hot water in kitchen - airlock?

morg_monster

Hi
Have just gone to do some washing up and found there is no hot water coming through the kitchen mixer tap. There is hot water in the bath and bathroom sink.
doing a bit of research seems it might be an airlock - but I tried the trick of putting my hand over the kitchen tap and turning hot then cold on, but just got water everywhere because there's wire mesh on the end so I can't get a seal.
Would it work doing this on another tap?
Alternatively I read there's something you can do with the washing machine hoses so could try that once the OH gets home to move it...
(you can tell my plumbing knowledge is zero. if it helps, we're a flat on floor 2/6, and we have a combi boiler (I assume, as it looks very new!))

morg_monster

well managed to get the wm out myself but it is cold fill only, so that idea won't work for us. Any other ideas or is it one for the plumber?

McKneff

you just need any bit of hosepipe, put ione end on the cold tap and the other end on the hot tap and turn them both on at the same time forcing the cold water into the hot tap This should shift the airlock.
(you didnt need to pull the washing machine out

good luck

McKneff

sorry, me again, just read you have a mixer tap, i think the other thing to
do exactly the same but one end of the hosepipe in the bathroom cold
and the other on the mixer tap if that possible in your flat.

McKneff

sorry me again. just read you have a mxer tap.
try one end on the bathroom cold tap and the other end in the kitchen
mixer if you can and then follow previous message.

good luck again.

morg_monster

annie thanks for the help.
Unfortunately we don't have any hosepipe and since we're tenants I think its easier to just ring for a plumber on monday.
Plus, the bathroom taps are also mixers, and those silly modern ones that aren't really conducive to having a hosepipe jammed on!
cheers!

McKneff

shame, i love saving money for me and for anyone else. mind, i suppose if we all did it all
the plumbers, painters etc would all be out of work.
regards

Suzy_M

If you've got hot water elsewhere has someone closed an inline valve somewhere on your system, e.g when changing a tap washer?

Using Mixer Taps to Clear Airlocks Where Header Tank Fitted. - No pipe required.
Need rubber gloves, a good thick dish cloth, a good grip and someone to listen for the air bubbles AND check the water tank isn't overflowing.

Dampen dish cloth and fold into neat square pad.
Put rubber gloves on.
Turn on hot tap.
Put dish cloth in cupped palm and ram against outlet then gently turn on cold tap until full on if you can hold the cloth as long as poss.
(If you have a weak grip you may need to do this a few times.)

Helper should listen for air being forced back to header tank.

If no air and tank starts to overflow it may be a gate valve on the hot water tank has sheared off (apparently a common problem).