Sometimes, homeowners call for Plumbing Repair in Manchester NH because the water pressure seems to have decreased at one or more taps. A common reason for this is an air lock that develops when air becomes trapped in the pipe. This can block the flow of water a small amount or completely. The air lock may affect just one tap or several.
Along with reduced water pressure, the pipes may bang when taps are turned off suddenly. Some households have a chronic problem with pipes banging but no issues with reduced water pressure. A plumber can install devices known as water hammer arresters that will end this annoyance.
The Hose Method
If this is a one-time occurrence and not an ongoing issue, Plumbing Repair in Manchester NH usually can be successfully completed with a hose.
One end of a hose is attached to a spigot below the problem area. In some homes, this might be a sink faucet on the first floor. If the problem is on the first floor, the lower-level tap might be a washing machine or faucet in the basement. The other end of the hose is attached to the tap that is not working properly. Then both taps are turned on. By running both faucets, the water pressure pushes the trapped air out.
Draining the Pipes
Sometimes this does not work. The plumber then must drain water from all the pipes. The task begins with turning off the main water supply to the home. Then all taps on the top story are turned on and allowed to drain completely. In a multi-level story home, the first floor pipes cannot be drained until the water on the upper stories has drained. The basement is completed last. Toilets on each floor should be flushed until they stop refilling.
Afterward, the plumber turns the taps until they are almost closed and then turns the water supply back on. Each tap is turned to a half-open position and then to a full-open position. All air in the pipes will be pushed through and the water will flow as it should again. Anyone who needs assistance with an air lock may Browse the site of a plumber to get started.