Plumbing and maintenance
Airlocks: why a tap sputters then stops
Air trapped at a high point stops flow in gravity-fed pipework. It usually appears after the system has been drained or a tank has run low.
Questions we get asked
Will it clear itself?
Sometimes, over days of use, but a persistent airlock needs clearing properly.
Does it damage anything?
Not usually, though repeated banging can stress joints over time.
What to check
- 1
Sputtering, banging or a tap that runs then dies points to trapped air rather than a blockage.
- 2
Clearing usually means forcing water through the affected run from a mains-pressure outlet or bleeding at a high point.
Not sure which option suits your property?
Most of these decisions come down to what is behind the wall and under the floor. A site visit settles it quickly.