How long would it take to bleed air out of pipes if using auto-vent only?
#1
11-15-19, 11:25 AM
How long would it take to bleed air out of pipes if using auto-vent only?
Hi there. I would like to know how long in hours/days/weeks it would take to bleed lots of air out of my pipes if using only auto-vents? The reason I ask is I don't know to do it the other way with hoses quite yet. Also, is it okay to leave the auto-vents open permanently? They were closed when I discovered them on my boiler system. I loosened them both up to let out some air.
I have two of these.
I have two of these.
Last edited by 7heJ0ker; 11-15-19 at 11:32 AM. Reason: adding lovely pictures
#2
11-15-19, 01:33 PM
It's OK to leave the caps off the auto vent - as long as water doesn't spit out. How long for the air to be automatically be removed? Possibly a very long time.
7heJ0ker
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#3
11-15-19, 01:51 PM
Well, very little amounts of water have been spitted out but that's when I first opened them up. Some air was released then. I'm assuming you mean it's not okay to leave the caps off once they become damaged or wore out?
I have 3 zones which probably total about 300 feet max. I have had the vents open for over a day now. I still hear the water moving through the bedroom pipes sometimes. I'm guessing that only when all the air is out of the system will the pipes be completely silent.
I have 3 zones which probably total about 300 feet max. I have had the vents open for over a day now. I still hear the water moving through the bedroom pipes sometimes. I'm guessing that only when all the air is out of the system will the pipes be completely silent.
#5
11-15-19, 08:42 PM
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My experience with "auto-vents" is that it will take a VERY long time to vent all air using just the auto-vents, maybe years!
7heJ0ker
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#6
11-16-19, 09:41 AM
The caps on auto vents should be left open. Only if vent starts to leak water, tighten cap closed then replace vent.
Autovents release air as it accumulates. A fast process that cannot be easily timed. I have them on my system and never have to manually vent system.
7heJ0ker has the sealed can type vent which cannot be opened for service. On DIY.com there are often pictures of vents that leaked, cap closed off then replaced. Many of the older systems had these and gave autovents a bad reputation.
Newer vents are more reliable, can be opened for service.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...l-Vent-Feature
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...Vent-3679000-p
Service of vent is easier with 1/4” ball valve. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...alve-Lead-Free
Auto vents with sealed cans are the worst. A red gasket in tire valve type seal goes after a couple of years then leaks.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-...xoCg-8QAvD_BwE
Autovents release air as it accumulates. A fast process that cannot be easily timed. I have them on my system and never have to manually vent system.
7heJ0ker has the sealed can type vent which cannot be opened for service. On DIY.com there are often pictures of vents that leaked, cap closed off then replaced. Many of the older systems had these and gave autovents a bad reputation.
Newer vents are more reliable, can be opened for service.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...l-Vent-Feature
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...Vent-3679000-p
Service of vent is easier with 1/4” ball valve. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-05...alve-Lead-Free
Auto vents with sealed cans are the worst. A red gasket in tire valve type seal goes after a couple of years then leaks.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-...xoCg-8QAvD_BwE
7heJ0ker
voted this post useful.
#7
12-18-19, 03:29 PM
The directions on the couple of auto vents I have on my HW system states to close the cap then open it about 1/4, to 1/2 a turn, so the air and any water that mists out will not rush out and cause possible dirt to plug up the valve. Yeah auto air valves will take a while to vent the air out. It is better to have e couple of manual air vents in the high parts of the heating system, because the air will find it's way to the top of the system.
Sid
Sid
#8
12-18-19, 07:24 PM
Most auto vents have a way to manually vent them.
I use only auto vents, do not have any separate manual vents.
Auto vents are active continuously. There is really no "time to vent". When air enters them it is released. Maybe on a new, or completely drained system it might take a little time.
Because air rises, consider vents at boiler basement level wish full thinking. Air scoops remove air from circulating water but under static condition those little bubbles rise to the high points.
Put auto vents at highest point of each zone and forget about it.
See Post #6 for more detail.
I use only auto vents, do not have any separate manual vents.
Auto vents are active continuously. There is really no "time to vent". When air enters them it is released. Maybe on a new, or completely drained system it might take a little time.
Because air rises, consider vents at boiler basement level wish full thinking. Air scoops remove air from circulating water but under static condition those little bubbles rise to the high points.
Put auto vents at highest point of each zone and forget about it.
See Post #6 for more detail.
Last edited by doughess; 12-18-19 at 08:01 PM.
