Internal airlocks

If your cold tap is working but your hot tap is not, then you may have an airlock in your internal plumbing. Follow these tips to check for and clear an airlock.

Check for airlocks

Firstly, make sure all the hot taps in the house are turned off. Then, following one of the two options below depending on the type of tap in your kitchen.

Separate hot and cold taps

If the hot and cold taps in the kitchen are separate i.e. not combined in a mixer tap, the hot tap should be turned on. If there is an airlock, no water will come from the hot tap. To clear the airlock please follow these steps:

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Step 1

Turn off both taps.

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Step 2

Connect both taps with a hose.

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Step 3

Turn on hot tap first and then cold tap - this will force cold water being forced through the hot water system and force the air causing the airlock back into the water tank.

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Step 4

Let the cold tap run for 2 minutes, turn off both taps and remove the hose. Then let the hot tap run for 2 minutes to confirm that the air lock is cleared.

If the air lock is not cleared, repeat the procedure one or two times more. If this is not successful, contact a registered plumber to correct the problem.

In rare cases the cold water taps in wash hand basins or the bath may also be air locked. This procedure will also work for them but is more difficult as a long length of hose is necessary from the kitchen cold tap to the nearest wash hand basin or bath tap.

Combined or mixer tap

If there is a mixer tap in the kitchen, please follow the steps below:

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Step 1

Turn on the hot tap. With a cloth in your hand (to help reduce water squirting out) block the tap. Be careful of accidental scalding with hot water.

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Step 2

Then turn on the cold water tap gently - this will force cold water being forced through the hot water system and force the air causing the airlock back into the water tank.

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Step 3

Let the cold tap run for 2 minutes, then turn off both taps.

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Step 4

Let the hot tap run for 2 minutes to confirm that the air lock is cleared.

If the air lock is not cleared, repeat the procedure one or two times more. If this is not successful, contact a registered plumber to correct the problem.

In rare cases the cold water taps in wash hand basins or the bath may also be air locked, this procedure will also work for them.

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No water from cold tap

If you have no water coming from the cold water tap in your kitchen sink, there may be an issue with the public water mains in your area, such as a burst main which is affecting your supply. If this is the case please 1800 278 278 and we will investigate. 

Issues during or after an outage

If you are experiencing supply issues during or following an outage, please visit our supply following an outage page. 

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