air lock in cold mains water?

lambo28

Hello,

I hope someone can provide some advice. My daughter has just moved into her new home but she is having a few difficulties.

It seems as though there is an airlock in the mains water pipe. When she switches on the kitchen tap downstairs (this is a mid-terraced house which does not have a shared supply) the water flows out fine for 20-30 seconds but then it turns into a dribble and spurts out (like it's coughing), eventually nothing comes out. The same also applies to the bathroom taps upstairs which is fed by the mains.

I never thought it is possible to get an airlock in the mains. I'm certain that these taps are not supplied by the cold water tank in the loft. The stopcocks are all open, checks the street stopcock and it is open. Neighbours don't have flow issues.

Any advice? Thanks.

Mr_Ted

:)We have to assume you are talking about the cold taps?

That being the case then the water company needs to check the problem as it sounds as if all that is happening is drain back from the pipework, and obviously it refills, which would indicate a restriction of some sort to the mains supply:(

Is it a new build, and can you see a plastic pipe where the mains comes in, as its is possible the mains pipework has been crimped or crushed during the build:(

AndyPK

not an airlock as you get water out.

mart.vader

Call the Water Co to do a flow and pressure test. The usual standard (if i recall correctly,) is 1 bar of pressure and 10 litres per minute at kitchen tap. It may be as Father Ted says, the mains pipe may be crushed. (or some other sort of obstruction.) I was always told, its not possible to have an airlock on the mains pipe.

RaiderHammer

Try turning off the main stop !!!! and then let the water drain from all taps in the house. Close all taps and turn water back on again at the mains. It's sorted out a couple of water issues for me.

lambo28

Mr_Ted wrote: »

:)We have to assume you are talking about the cold taps?

That being the case then the water company needs to check the problem as it sounds as if all that is happening is drain back from the pipework, and obviously it refills, which would indicate a restriction of some sort to the mains supply:(

Is it a new build, and can you see a plastic pipe where the mains comes in, as its is possible the mains pipework has been crimped or crushed during the build:(

No the house is not a new build - about 20 years old now. The blue plastic pipe coming in looks fine with not crimps etc. Will have to call the water company. The troubles of moving into a new home...

Mr_Ted

lambo28 wrote: »

No the house is not a new build - about 20 years old now. The blue plastic pipe coming in looks fine with not crimps etc. Will have to call the water company. The troubles of moving into a new home...

As its blue poli its not that old so has been relayed at some point, so could still be a problem there so wait until the WB has a look and act on their report!