An airlock in a home heating system is a pocket of air that becomes trapped in the system, disrupting the flow of hot water or steam and reducing the efficiency of the heating. Airlocks can occur in any type of heating system, but they are more common in open systems, where the hot water or steam circulates through pipes and radiators to heat the house.
Over my years as a Wexford plumber, this is an issue which can cause frustration to a home owner.
There are several ways in which an airlock can occur in a home heating system. One common cause is a faulty or malfunctioning valve. Valves are used to control the flow of hot water or steam through the system, and if one of these valves is not working correctly, it can cause an airlock to form. Another cause of an airlock is a blockage in the system, such as a build-up of dirt or sediment in the pipes.
Symptoms of an airlock in a home heating system can include cold spots on the radiators, a drop in the temperature of the hot water or steam, and a reduction in the overall efficiency of the heating. An airlock can also cause the system to make strange noises, such as gurgling or whistling.
To fix an airlock in a home heating system, the first step is to identify the source of the problem. This can often be done by visually inspecting the system and looking for any signs of an airlock, such as cold spots on the radiators or a reduction in the temperature of the hot water or steam. In some cases, it may be necessary to use specialized equipment, such as a pressure gauge or infrared camera, to locate the source of the airlock.
Once the source of the airlock has been identified, the next step is to remove the trapped air from the system. This can usually be done by bleeding the radiators, which involves opening a valve on the radiator to allow the trapped air to escape. It may also be necessary to bleed the pipes, which involves opening a valve on the pipes to allow the trapped air to escape.
In some cases, it may be necessary to use a specialized tool, such as an air vent key, to remove the air from the system. These tools are designed to fit into the valve on the radiator or pipe and release the trapped air.
Plumbers refer to this a "bleeding the radiator". This something you can do yourself or call a Wexford plumber to carry out this work.
Once the air has been removed from the system, it is important to check that the system is functioning correctly. This can be done by turning the heating back on and checking the temperature of the hot water or steam, as well as the overall efficiency of the heating. If the system is still not functioning correctly after the air has been removed, it may be necessary to identify and fix the underlying problem that caused the airlock to occur in the first place.
Preventing airlocks in a home heating system is an important part of maintaining the system and ensuring that it operates efficiently and effectively. There are a few steps that homeowners can take to reduce the risk of airlocks in their heating systems