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What Happens When You get Air in Your Pipes?

Is air in your water pipes bad? Yes. When air gets into your pipes they can rust or corrode, which makes them wear more quickly and can taint your water. As rust forms, it can not only weaken your pipes but also fleck off, leaving rust flakes in the water that you drink, wash with, and use to cook. No one wants rusty water, which is why it is so important to get air out of your pipes! Some types of pipes like copper or stainless steel are less likely to rust but steel pipes are highly prone to rusting.

Typically, air can get into your lines when your water is shut off for an extended period of time (like for maintenance, during a lengthy plumbing repair, or after winterizing pipes) or when water pressure is too low to maintain a steady flow of water through the pipes.

You will know if you have water in your pipes because turning on the water will lead to sputtering or spitting as the water gets flowing instead of a nice steady stream. You may even hear pipes rattling or banging together from the vibration that accompanies air getting pushed out. While this is annoying, it is not typically disruptive enough to prompt homeowners or business owners to give us a call. However, air in pipes can cause more serious problems as well.

While a small amount of air is not a huge cause for concern because it can typically work itself out, too much air can wreak havoc by creating a blockage. If you have enough air in your pipes, it can actually create a vacuum that creates enough suction to stop water flow entirely. Often when this happens homeowners or business owners will assume that there is some sort of blockage of grease, hair, sediment, or debris causing the problem. This is understandable considering that the air being compressed into one area can cause enough pressure to suddenly stop water flow entirely. If this happens, you will need the services of a plumber to release the air from the system to get your water flowing again.

If you think you may have air in your plumbing lines causing problems or creating rusty water, give us a call. We have an experienced team of local plumbers ready to fix any home or commercial plumbing problem you may encounter. Let us help get your plumbing back in good working order today!

Additional resources:
Does Rain affect Plumbing?
Will a Handyman do Plumbing?
Can Cold Weather Damage Pipes?
Protecting Pipes in the Winter
Getting Air Out of Your Pipes
Is Air Bad for Pipes?
Why does My Home have Low Water Pressure?