Nothing beats a good burp to relieve the pressure
You’ve turned on your tap and you hear a strange noise—like a hissing, a gurgling, or maybe some unnerving knocks. Is it a ghost? Probably not. The likely culprit is air in your well’s water lines. While it’s not usually a serious red flag, air in your water pipes could lead to big problems for your well water system if left unchecked. Fortunately, this is an issue you might be able to remedy yourself. Follow the simple steps in this guide on how to get air out of the water lines from your well.
Before you get started, it’s a good idea to troubleshoot some common causes of air in your well water pipes.
Check your water heater: A damaged part on your water heater—such as the anode rod—could be reacting with the water, creating air bubbles. Look for corrosion on the anode rod, and check to see if the water heater’s valves are tight and secure.
Look at your well’s water level: If the water level is too low in your well, this will cause the well pump to draw in more air as it pulls in water. Try adjusting the well pump’s depth.
Check your water pressure tank: Aging or damaged pressure tanks can sometimes lead to a buildup of air pressure in your lines. Drain the tank of excess water or consider replacing your tank if it’s too old.
Examine your well pump: A faulty well pump is one of the main causes of air in water pipes. If the pump motor or casing is worn out, it could pull in air and water while cycling. A wrong-sized well pump can also introduce air.
First things first—switch off your water supply. For most private wells, you’ll find the main water shut-off valve near the well itself. You may have a second valve located near the water pressure tank. Turn the valve (or valves, if you have two) clockwise to turn the water off.
Open every faucet in your home with a one-half turn of the tap to drain your water with an even flow and release air from the line.
Start with the taps closest to your well’s main water valve and work your way throughout your home. This includes your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bathtub and shower taps, and the connections to your dishwasher, washing machine, and any other appliance that uses water.
Once the water stops running from your taps—this may take a few minutes depending on how much water is in your lines—flush your toilets. You want to eliminate any water from your toilet tanks to drain every drop of water from your pipes and create a smooth exit of existing air.
With your taps and toilet tank dry, switch your well’s water main valve back on. Watch for the water to flow from your faucets for up to 15 minutes. For your washing machine and dishwasher, add a cup of water and let them run on the rinse cycle. No sputtering, gurgling noises, and a steady flow of water means there’s no air in your pipes.
When you’re ready to turn your taps off, work your way in the reverse order you turned them on—from the furthest to the closest faucet to your main valve.
In most cases, getting rid of the air in your water pipes is an easy DIY fix. But if signs of air in your water pipes persist, such as noise, pipe vibrations, and uneven water flow, or worse, your well water stops working, it may signal a bigger problem that even the handiest DIYer can’t solve.
If in doubt, reach out to your local well repair professional. They have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to address any issues with your well water system that leave you scratching your head. It’s recommended by experts that homeowners with a well should have their well inspected at least once a year to ensure it’s in good condition. The cost of a well inspection is worth the price if it can prevent costly repairs in the future.
Look out for the following signs of trapped air in water lines: low water pressure, spurting or gurgling noises, and cloudy water for a few seconds after pouring. Trapped water could be a sign of issues with the water supply, ongoing maintenance somewhere in the water lines, or forgotten maintenance.
A water hammer refers to the banging or knocking sound you hear in your water pipes after you turn off your faucet or when your washing machine or dishwater fills. This happens when highly pressurized water suddenly stops moving in your pipes due to a valve closing or your well pump shutting down quickly. Try adjusting the pressure setting on your water pressure tank—it should be below 50 psi (pounds per square inch). Or have a plumber install a water hammer arrestor.
Although air in your water lines won’t affect the overall quality of your water, it will lead to problems with your well water system if not addressed. Over time, too much air in your water lines can create blockages in your pipes, cause insufficient water flow to your taps and appliances, loosen pipes, and potentially damage important components of your well including your well pump and pressure tank.
