Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: rg1 on July 22, 2011, 07:08:45 pm

Title: Air Lock
Post by: rg1 on July 22, 2011, 07:08:45 pm

Every morning when using wfp for 1st clean, it takes several minutes for the flow to work properly due to air in the system.

I have checked all connections to and from the water tank, especially in the pump area but can't find anything.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Rob

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Neil Williams on July 22, 2011, 07:46:37 pm

I presume the water is drawn through the top of the tank, as opposed to a tap at the bottom of the tank.
If that's the case water in your pipe is flowing back into the tank when switched off which means air takes it's place.
This doesn't happen if the feed pipe is at the bottom of the tank.
You could fit a one way valve somewhere near your pick up point which would stop the water going back into the tank.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Pope vader on July 22, 2011, 07:47:21 pm

what pump have u got

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: rg1 on July 22, 2011, 08:54:23 pm

Water is fed from the bottom of the tank and at the last point of exit, there is a non return hoselock valve fitted to the outlet pipe.

The only thing I havent tried yet is to keep the hose reel attached and see if there is still air locks.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Neil Williams on July 22, 2011, 09:03:48 pm

Normally if air air is getting in then water is getting out....any leaks?
But as you mentioned disconnecting the hose reel that'll more than likely be the problem, with air getting in there.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: rg1 on July 22, 2011, 09:17:12 pm

Quote from: Neil Williams on July 22, 2011, 09:03:48 pm

Normally if air air is getting in then water is getting out....any leaks?
But as you mentioned disconnecting the hose reel that'll more than likely be the problem, with air getting in there.

No leaks anywhere.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Neil Williams on July 22, 2011, 09:54:33 pm

An aged pump that is losing some power.
A filter that maybe partually blocked.
But it looks like when taking the reel off the water is being replaced by air in that item.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Dave Anderson on July 23, 2011, 07:34:50 am

If you have a hozelock type connector on the hose reel...try changing the connector and or the o'ring on the reel....this has worked for me in the past.

Cheers
Dave.

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Window Washers on July 23, 2011, 09:15:20 am

Quote from: rg1 on July 22, 2011, 07:08:45 pm

Every morning when using wfp for 1st clean, it takes several minutes for the flow to work properly due to air in the system.

I have checked all connections to and from the water tank, especially in the pump area but can't find anything.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Rob

tighten every thing up sounds like there is a air leak somewhere.

worst case, take off the connection to the pump from water tank and suck the pipe, put your thumb over pump inlet and turn it on, if it sucks your finger there air lock in not in the pump if air is in the pump attach a pipe and blow and suck pipethe pipe to remove the air.

My guess is an air leak in the pipe air can get in but not water out with is highly annoying, a turn or 2 on the clips may sort this out..

Ian

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: rg1 on July 23, 2011, 11:22:37 am

Thanks for all the input guys. I will work through all your suggestions until problem is solved.

Cheers

Title: Re: Air Lock
Post by: Davie T on July 24, 2011, 08:29:01 am

Wrap electrical tape all round any Hozelock connectors. That will seal even the smallest air leak. The connectors can sometimes open up slightly when under pressure.