Causes of Sputtering Water
You are at the sink, washing your hands and all of a sudden water starts shooting out at you; that is sputtering water. Water that sputters like that is likely due to there being some air in the line. Sometimes this is a temporary problem due to plumbing work or city maintenance and other times this could mean issues with your plumbing system.
City Maintenance
Your city could be doing some work on the main pipelines, or even a fire hydrant. This can temporarily introduce air bubbles into your water. Luckily, this is just temporary. When their work is finished and as soon as you and your neighbors start using the water the air will start to work its way out. Due to the fact the maintenance will involve water lines that go to a few homes, this problem shouldn’t last all that long.
Water Main
Perhaps, instead of city maintenance, you had plumbing work done on your own home. If your water was turned off at all at the main line, then that is the likely culprit. While the water was off, and your plumber was getting to work on your main line, air can get introduced. Which means sputtering water. Again, this issue shouldn’t last too long. Make sure the water main shut off was turned back on. After that, turn on all the sinks, showers, or tubs, and let the water run for about 5 minutes. The air bubbles will work themselves out.
Aerator
Most faucets in your home have an aerator in them. This helps boost water pressure without actually using more water. Generally, they are at the tip of your faucet and can get some buildup on it from sediment or hard water deposits. This can cause sputtering water. You may even only have this issue in one faucet. The fix here is simple, just clean your aerator. You can either take the aerator off and give it a good scrubbing or you can soak the tip of the faucet in a bag with diluted distilled vinegar. It is fairly easy to take the aerator off as it just screws on and off. If it is hard to take off, then just use a wrench to loosen it.
Faucet Cartridge
Your faucet cartridge is what controls the flow of water. So, if it is malfunctioning then it can cause sputtering water. The cartridge can get wear and tear as well as get a little gross. All of which will affect the functionality of your faucet. This can be a DIY replacement, especially if you are handy. There is no one way to remove a faucet cartridge. It all depends on the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to look up the brand of your faucet and find out how to take it out. If you are replacing it yourself, take the original cartridge to the home improvement store. There isn’t a standard faucet cartridge, so this way you will be able to get the right one.
Water Heater
Sputtering water can also be a sign that your water heater is malfunctioning. If you are noticing this, and some odd noises or other issues from the water heater itself means you need to call a plumber ASAP. All water heaters have safety mechanisms on them so the water doesn’t burn you. However, like anything, these can also break. If you are experiencing water heater issues we highly recommend that you do not use it.
It can cause water sputtering by water in the tank getting too hot, which can cause air bubbles. It can also increase the pressure in your water heater, which can get dangerous.
Any water heater issues should always be handled by a plumber.
Broken Pipes
If there is a leak in your pipe, a crack, or anything of that nature, it is no longer watertight. This can introduce air bubbles into your water. If none of these other causes seem to be the issue, this may be your culprit. It is a good idea to get a plumber to send a camera through your pipe system. This can give them a visual of where the pipe may be broken and how bad it may be. The fix for this is the replacement of any damaged pipes.
Final Thoughts
While this problem can be extremely annoying, most of the time the fixes can be fairly easy. There are some that you can do yourself! However, if you are uncomfortable with doing anything on this list, give your local 1-Tom-Plumber a call.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need a plumbing service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
