There’s nothing more annoying than turning on your faucet and getting a sputtering, spurting mess instead of a nice steady stream of water. All those air bubbles and air pockets make the water come out in an unsettling and uneven fashion. Pockets of air inside water pipes can also make pipes bang or rattle all over the place. This can also cause what is known as water hammer, which can literally blow your pipes apart.
In this article, I’ll walk through some likely causes, how trapped air can create big headaches, and – most importantly – how to kick it out of your system for good!
What Causes Air To Get Into Your Pipes?
So how does air get into your pipes in the first place? Air gets into pipes when there is a loss of water pressure, or a dramatic drop in water pressure, which creates space that allows air to fill in the empty space.
Air can enter plumbing systems for a variety of reasons, often leading to sputtering faucets, noisy pipes, or irregular water pressure. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Plumbing repairs or maintenance work – Shutting off the main water supply and turning it back on can unintentionally without bleeding out air can trap air inside the pipes. When the water is turned on, the trapped air can cause issues.
- Contrary to popular thought, small leaks or cracks in the pipes do not allow air to seep in, they only allow water to leak out!
- Sudden changes in water pressure, for example, when the municipal supply undergoes maintenance, can allow air into the lines.
- For homes on well systems, a faulty pump, low water levels, or problems with the pressure tank can introduce air into the pipes.
- Sediment buildup or other issues with a water heater may also create air bubbles in the hot water lines.
If air in the plumbing system is an ongoing issue, it’s a good idea to check for leaks, loops, pressure problems, or other maintenance that may be needed. Bleeding the air out of the pipes by running taps may provide temporary relief as well.
Can Leaky Pipes Cause Air In Water Lines?
Leaky pipes are not typically a culprit. Cracks or holes anywhere in your supply lines, bad seals around fittings, or shutoff valves under sinks that don’t close fully – all of these let water out, but will not let air get sucked into the system.
Interruptions to your home’s water supply can lead to air trouble too. Anytime the water gets shut off for repairs, accidents, or drought restrictions, it temporarily creates a vacuum effect. Anytime water is shut off and there are leaks or open plumbing fixtures, air will displace the water that was inside the pipes. So when the water comes back on, bursts of air will be the first thing shooting out of your pipes.
Doing any repairs or upgrades to your plumbing can introduce air too. Draining the pipes to work on them leaves room for air to slip in. It is vitally important that after repairs are completed the water is turned on slowly, and each faucet is opened ahead of time. It is best to let the air escape slowly, and the water to run slowly initially as well.
If you’ve got well water, pump problems, or limited water flow due to drought can cause air to get pulled into the pipes along with the water.
Water Pressure Pumps and Air In Water Lines
Yes, water pressure pumps can cause air to enter water lines under certain conditions. Here are the top 5 possible causes:
- Leaks in a Suction Line – If the pump is drawing from a well or other source and there’s a small leak in the suction line, it can pull in air along with the water.
- Low Water Levels in Your Water Well – If our water source is a well, and the water level in your well drops too low, the pump might start pulling in air instead of water.
- Faulty Check Valves or Foot Valves on Your Well Piping System – A damaged or leaking check valve can allow air to be drawn into the system.
- “Cavitation” is Empty Space Inside Piping Caused By Excessive Suction – If the pump is operating under excessive suction (low pressure), it can cause cavitation, which forms air bubbles that may enter the water system.
- Improper Priming of a Pump – Some pumps need to be primed before use; if not properly done, air can get trapped in the system.
If you’re experiencing air in your water lines being served by a well, you might notice sputtering faucets or inconsistent water pressure. Identifying and fixing the cause—such as checking for leaks, ensuring proper water levels, and maintaining valves—can help prevent air from entering the system.
Why Trapped Air is Bad News
Those bothersome air bubbles and air pockets might seem harmless, but they can actually cause some major plumbing headaches. Here’s how:
- Water rushing through pipes full of air can blow plumbing apart, which is known as water hammer.
- Air pockets create resistance in the pipes, which reduces water pressure all throughout your house.
- Water pushing through the bubbles in the pipes makes them vibrate and rattle.
- Air exposure can accelerate pipe corrosion (it depends on the material) of metal pipes and parts. This leads to leaks and breakdowns over time.
- Trapped air means you get inconsistent water flow from faucets – sputtering, spurting, etc.
Clearly, letting air hang out in your pipes causes some pretty annoying and potentially expensive problems. Gotta get rid of it!
Getting Rid of the Air
Ready to get that problematic air out of your system? Make sure you’ve read our post on removing air from your water lines.
In most cases, you may be able to bleed the air out yourself. Shut off the main valve, then start opening up taps from the valve upward to the top floor of your building. Then very slowly open the main valve. As the air escapes from the closest water, and the water runs smoothly, close that particular water outlet. Then move along to the next water outlet, and repeat the process. Once you get to the final outlet you can fully open the main valve, and the task is complete. It’s important not to rush things, and risk water hammer.
For stubborn air that keeps coming back, it’s time to contact a professional plumber! Here’s what they’ll do:
First, they’ll pressurize the system and isolate where the air is hiding out. Next, they’ll open special bleeder valves designed specifically to release air from the lines (known as water hammer arrestors). Plumbers have all the right tools and knowledge to fully clear out trapped air and fix anything that caused it to get there in the first place.
Don’t Let Air Get Trapped in the First Place!
The most important thing to do is to always drain out air pockets formed when repairs are done and your water is shut off.
Who knew air could cause so much trouble? But now that you know where it comes from and how to fix it, you can have peace of mind knowing your water will flow smooth and steady. No more sputtering, rattling nonsense! Ahhh…that’s more like it!
