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How to Get Air Out of the Water Lines From Your Well in 4 Easy Steps
Nothing beats a good burp to relieve the pressure
Photo: ChristopherBernard / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: ChristopherBernard / E+ / Getty Images
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
$0
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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.
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Prepping to Get the Air Out of Your Water Lines
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.
Turn Off Your Water Main Valve
Photo: andriano_cz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesFirst 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 Your Faucets and Water Connections
Photo: Arthit_Longwilai / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesOpen 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.
Flush the Toilets
Photo: fcafotodigital / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesOnce 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.
Turn On Your Water Main Valve
Photo: Grigorev_Vladimir / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty ImagesWith 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.
Removing Air From Water Lines: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The homeowners guide to well and pump services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If you have a well, you might need to replace the well pump to have great-tasting water. Well pump replacement costs depend on your well size and other factors.
Many scenarios can lead to bacteria and other contaminants in your well. Learn about how much it costs to shock a well so you can enjoy clean drinking water.
What is a dry well? It’s not (always) a well that’s run dry. Dry wells help drain away excess stormwater to avoid excess drainage and flooding.
What causes no water in a house with a well? Learn about the causes, warning signs, and troubleshooting tricks for when your faucets seem to be dry.
Shocking your well can help clear it of harmful bacteria like E. coli, and it’s a process you can do yourself with simple household bleach. Here’s how.