Can Air in Water Pipes Cause Damage?

Having air in your pipes can be very dangerous for your plumbing system. It is important to understand what causes air bubbles in your pipes, the consequences of having them, and how to resolve any issues that may come up.

If you get air in your water lines, this may cause the lifespan of your appliances to shorten, and result in higher energy bills. It is best to run your faucets to remove bubbles, or if you are unable to resolve the issue yourself, make sure to call a professional, but do not ignore the issue as it may cause additional damage such as corrosion, inconsistent water pressure, and even severe damage to water pipes. In general, you should understand how to avoid the air in your pipes, how to tell when there is air in the pipes, and the steps you need to take to fix the situation.

How to Tell if There is Air in the Water Pipes

If you experience air in your water pipes, it may cause major issues with your plumbing, affecting the efficiency of the plumbing system and even its longevity. It is important to be able to tell if there is air in your water pipes so you can address the problem immediately. Here are some ways you can tell that air is present in your plumbing system:

• Loud noises: If you get air bubbles in your pipes, you will end up with very loud noises such as hammering or gurgling sounds.
• Sputtering faucets: If you have air in your pipes, there may be sputtering out of your faucets which causes inconsistent flow and water waste.
• Fluctuations in water pressure: Air in your pipes can cause fluctuating water pressure which will also prevent you from keeping a consistent temperature in your shower and sink.
• Damaged pipes: When air is trapped in your pipes, it can cause increased pressure and stress on the pipes. These problems can damage your appliances, which is why you need to understand how to get rid of air bubbles as quickly as possible.

Should you bleed air from your water pipes?

If you’ve experienced the above-mentioned symptoms at home such as loud noises, sputtering faucets and fluctuations in pressure, you may have air in your pipes. You should never ignore this issue.  It is important to bleed this air out so that your plumbing system can work properly. If you do not address the issue of trapped air in your pipes, you may end up with corrosion and rust of your fixtures, inconsistent water delivery from your faucets, and reduction in water pressure. If you are able, you can remove the air from your pipes yourself, or if you are unsure of how to do so or do not feel comfortable doing it yourself, make sure to call a water damage restoration professional. This will help avoid any damage to your plumbing system.

How to Remove Air in the Water Pipes in Your Home

Having air bubbles in your water lines can be very frustrating, but there are various ways to get rid of them. If you realized that you have air bubbles in your pipes, here are some ways to remove them:

• Bleed your system: Shut off the water and open all faucets in the home. Then starting with the lowest faucet, turn the water on and let it run until a proper steady stream of water is flowing in each faucet. This will allow for any trapped air to be released.
• Check for leaks: Check the plumbing system for leaks as this can cause air in the pipes. If you see any leaks you need to reach out to a professional to get it fixed.
• Install air chambers: You can install an air chamber in your plumbing system to help cushion the impact of the water hammer which will reduce the formation of air bubbles.
• Call a professional: If you are unable to remove the air in your pipes yourself, you will need to call a professional. They will diagnose the issue and fix it.

Because the air in your pipes can cause various issues within your plumbing system, it is important to recognize the signs of air in your pipes, and to take the proper steps to resolve it. This way you can make sure your pipes are protected and that you have a reliable water supply.

How long does it take to get air out of water lines?

If there is air trapped in your water pipes, the actual time to remove it will depend on the severity of the plumbing issue. However, it generally will take between 10-15 minutes. Here is what you will need to do to remove the air from your pipes:

• Turn off the main water valve in the house.
• Open all the faucets about halfway for both hot and cold. Next, run the dishwasher, the laundry, flush all the toilets, open the hose bibs outside and finally, drain the pot filler and fridge water line.
• Turn the water on and let it run for 10-15 minutes and ensure that everything works as it should. Finally, let the toilets refill and then flush them.

Professional Water Damage Restoration

Have you experienced water damage at your home or business? Make sure to call a water damage restoration professional right away to clean, dry, and restore your property back to its original state. Any water damage to your home or business should be remediated right away. Highly trained technicians will arrive quickly and start cleaning up your property to restore the damage caused by water. You can rest assured that these professionals will provide quality work and your property will look as it did pre-water damage.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.