34
REGULAR
What happened here?
Supplied by Ravi Govender, Legend Plumbing
Do you see anything wrong with this installation?
Have you seen any crazy installations lately? Please send pictures of weird and wonderful adventures in plumbing to us on megan @ interactmedia. co. za, or Whatsapp them to + 27( 0) 50 046 6402 with the subject line: Can You Fix It Submission. Include any details you can, let us know if you fixed it, and let us see the before and after pictures. PA
This valve was taken out of a client’ s house, where the valve was constantly running …
34
TECHNICAL
How do you reduce spluttering at your taps?
By
Patrick Gordon, technical manager, Splashworks
During the daily use of our plumbing systems, air can be trapped in various places.
Normally air percolates to the highest places in the pipe system. When we use our taps, we will notice the presence of air in the system by a spluttering when the taps / mixers are used. This can be highly annoying.
By fitting an air release valve, this phenomenon can be prevented without us having to do anything extra.
So how does it work?
The valve must be installed in a vertical position at the highest point of that part of the system. The valve consists of a chamber that contains a float attached to a needle valve. The weight of the float would normally keep the needle valve in the open position. Because air is lighter than water, the air will go to the highest point where the valve is fitted and escape via the open needle valve. As the air escapes the water level in the system will rise and start to fill the chamber of the air release valve. Because the float is buoyant, the water will lift it and cause the needle valve to close.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline October 2026 Volume 32 I Number 08