Sometimes issues arise with plumbing systems that the average homeowner doesn’t understand. Whether it’s drainage clogs, burst pipes, or sewage disruptions, it’s best to call a plumber to solve the issue. However, if you notice air trapped in your pipes, there are steps to resolve it on your own. Check out this guide on how to bleed trapped air out of your plumbing system to learn more.
Turn Off the Water Main
The first step is to turn off the main water supply valve. Your main water valve may be inside or outside your house, depending on where you live and the climate. Typically, it looks like a star-shaped garden-hose-style gate valve in older homes. Shut off the main water valve. If it doesn’t move or there is hard water and it calcified, call a professional plumbing service to do it. If you have a level-type ball valve, you should be able to switch it off without issue.
Open Every Faucet
From there, open every faucet. Note that you should never open the faucets at full force. Only allow enough air to escape. A good reference is to open the faucets at half turns for both hot and cold settings for every faucet with a water connection. This includes water fixtures and appliances, such as your dishwasher and laundry machines. Start with the faucet that’s closest to the shutoff valve. Then, work your way to the farthest faucet. It also helps to flush toilets too to let the water out. As you open the hot and cold faucets halfway, you should notice air escape.
Turn On the Water Main
After you’ve opened the faucets, the next step on how to bleed trapped air out of your plumbing system is to resupply the water. Turn the main water valve back on and let it run for ten to fifteen minutes. Re-fill toilets and flush them to ensure proper water flow. You should see a steady stream of water without noise from your pipes. For your laundry and dishwashers, pour in a cup of water and let them run through a rinse cycle. If you notice no further noises or issues, you can turn off your faucets, starting with the farthest and working to the closest faucet.
If problems persist, you may need to call a professional plumbing service to check your main water valve. That’s where Harris Main and Water Sewer Contractors have your back. We offer water service line replacement for your home or building. We take great care in every project we fulfill, so rest assured we have the knowledge, expertise, and training to handle any pipe installation project for residential and commercial buildings. If you need an emergency water service line replacement, call us immediately. We’ll send a team as soon as possible to handle it.
