A sputtering kitchen sink or faucet is often caused by air in the pipes. If you experience sputtering in your faucet once in a while, this could be the problem, and it’s probably harmless. Other times, aerators get clogged and may cause sputters too. However, when the sputtering is continuous, there may be other severe issues in your plumbing.
Why Does a Sink Sputter When You Turn It On?
Let’s look at some causes of sink sputtering when you turn it on.
Clogged aerator
A faucet aerator helps filter tap water and get rid of all the dirt and debris. After working for a long time, all the dirt, debris, and other sediments collect and clog it. When this happens, the faucet will sputter when you turn it on.
Debris passing through your pipes increases due to material that’s dislodged from the plumbing joints and water main breaks. If the aerator is the cause of sputtering, cleaning it out each month can help prevent this issue.
If you need to remove yours, all you need to do is turn it counter-clockwise. Use clean, soapy water to clean the aerator. Make sure you rinse it before you place it back into the faucet.
Damaged valve cartridge
If cleaning the aerator doesn’t work, there may be an issue with the valve cartridge on the faucet. Manufacturers make different designs of valve cartridges, so yours may not be the same as another. Despite their different designs, valve cartridges can look similar.
If you have an owner’s manual, go through it and learn how to remove the particular one you have and replace it with a new one. To ensure you get the right one, bring your old one to the hardware store so you can get a suitable replacement.
Air in the pipes
One of the most common causes of a sputtering sink is air in the water pipes. During the winter, air bubbles frequently form in the water due to freezing temperatures. They can also form on other occasions, such as during summer heatwaves when water is in high demand, and it’s moving a lot to meet people’s needs. Bubbles can also be formed during hydrant maintenance when silt is stirred up.
Here’s a simple test to check whether there’s air in your water lines.
- Fill a glass with water
- Check whether the water first clears at the top or the bottom. If it clears at the bottom first, there’s air in your pipes.
Most times, sputtering caused by air bubbles in your water lines is a temporary issue that can be fixed by flushing the cold water taps in your home. If there’s more than one sink sputtering, you could have damaged plumbing. Your main water supply lines could have a breakage, so contact a professional to inspect your main lines.
Faulty water heater
If you’ve cleaned your aerators, replaced valve cartridges, and checked main lines yet there’s still sputtering, it’s time to call your plumber. Your water heater could be malfunctioning.
Your water heater manufacturer has installed safety devices to ensure it operates safely, so rarely will it cause a risk to you. However, your hot water could be overheating, and your tank could explode If it isn’t repaired fast.
Sediment Buildup in Water Lines
One often overlooked cause of a sputtering kitchen sink is sediment buildup in the water lines. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium can accumulate in your pipes, particularly if you have hard water. This can obstruct water flow and cause the faucet to sputter when turned on.
What Causes Sediment to Build Up?
Water naturally contains minerals, especially if you live in an area with hard water. As water flows through the pipes, minerals settle and collect, leading to blockages over time. This is particularly common in older plumbing systems that may have corroded pipes, which makes it easier for sediment to gather.
How to Identify Sediment Buildup
If sediment is the culprit behind your sputtering faucet, you may notice other signs, such as reduced water pressure, cloudy water, or bits of minerals (often white or brown) coming from the faucet. If sediment buildup is particularly bad, it can affect multiple faucets in your home, not just the kitchen sink.
How to Fix It
The best way to fix sediment buildup is to flush your water system. Turn off the main water supply and open all faucets to drain the system. Then, turn the water back on to flush out any loose sediment. If the problem persists, you might need to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes for severe buildup or corrosion. Installing a water softener can also help reduce the amount of mineral buildup in your pipes in the long term.
Faulty Pressure Regulator
Another possible reason for a sputtering kitchen sink is a faulty pressure regulator. A pressure regulator controls the flow of water into your home, ensuring that the pressure remains consistent. If it malfunctions, it can lead to fluctuating water pressure, which may cause sputtering when you turn on the faucet.
How Does a Pressure Regulator Work?
A pressure regulator ensures that water entering your home is at a safe and manageable pressure level. If the pressure is too high or too low, it can lead to plumbing problems, including sputtering, leaks, and even pipe bursts. When the regulator malfunctions, it may not maintain a consistent pressure, causing air pockets or uneven water flow that results in sputtering.
How to Diagnose Pressure Regulator Issues
If your faucet sputters and you notice other water pressure fluctuations (like weak or overly strong water flow), the pressure regulator may be the issue. A pressure gauge can be used to check the water pressure. If the pressure is outside the normal range (40 to 60 psi), the regulator may need to be adjusted or replaced.
Fixing a Faulty Pressure Regulator
While homeowners can check the water pressure themselves, repairing or replacing a pressure regulator is usually best left to a professional. A plumber can replace the faulty regulator, ensuring that the water pressure in your home stays consistent and eliminating any sputtering issues in your kitchen sink.
Water Contamination and Bacteria
Contaminants or bacteria in your water supply could also cause a sputtering kitchen sink. While rare, harmful microorganisms or other pollutants can enter the water supply due to breaks in water mains or aging infrastructure. This contamination can cause disruptions in water flow, leading to sputtering when you turn on the faucet.
How Can Contaminants Enter the Water?
Contaminants can enter your water supply through various means, including broken water mains, cracked pipes, or issues at the water treatment plant. If pollutants or bacteria enter your pipes, they can create blockages or air bubbles that interfere with water flow, causing sputtering.
Signs of Contaminated Water
If your water is contaminated, sputtering may be accompanied by other warning signs such as:
- Unusual smells: If your water smells like sulfur or chemicals, there may be contamination.
- Discolored water: Cloudy or discolored water could indicate that your water supply is not clean.
- Illness: If family members begin to experience stomach issues or other health problems after using the water, bacteria or contaminants may be present.
What to Do About Contaminated Water
If you suspect contamination in your water supply, stop using the water immediately and contact your local water provider. They may need to inspect the main water supply to identify and fix the issue. In the meantime, use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Once the issue is resolved, you may also want to install a water filtration system to help prevent contaminants from entering your home’s water in the future.
Will the Sink Stop Sputtering Naturally?
No, your sink will not stop sputtering unless the problem is identified and fixed.
How is a sputtering sink fixed?
We already know that sputtering faucets are most commonly caused by air getting expelled from pipes. Some solutions to this, such as bleeding your system, are straightforward. Here’s one of the simplest solutions for fixing a sputtering sink.
- Turn on all faucets in your home but make sure they’re only at the half turn.
- Allow the water to run for two minutes to let the air escape.
- Flush your toilets to get rid of any air in your pipes.
Below is a more effective solution to bleeding your water pipes.
- Turn off your main water valve. Check the pipe branching into your home from the main water line along your street. If you follow that line into your basement, you will see the valve next to a meter. Tighten that valve to shut the water off.
- Next, you will need to go around your house and open all the faucets. Water will come out, but it will empty soon.
- Once the water has run out, go back and turn on the main water valve. Remember to turn all the faucets off again.
The sputtering should stop after this process.
Is it Bad to Have Air in Your Water Pipes?
You shouldn’t have air in your water pipes since it can cause corrosion and rust. When your pipes rust, they will weaken. In addition, rust can leave sediments in the water. When the water supply to your home is cut off for some time during system maintenance, air can enter and get trapped in your system.
When there’s air in your water pipes, it can damage your plumbing system. Get in touch with a professional plumber to help you resolve the issue. Pretty soon, there will be a consistent flow of water in your sink.
What Is an Airlock in Pipes?
An airlock is a problem that comes up when there are pockets of air in your pipes. This air prevents the water from getting to your fixtures. Airlocks cause low water pressure in the pipes and may ultimately prevent the water from getting to your faucet. Unless the problem is solved, you will not be able to utilize your water line efficiently.
You can DIY an airlock by simply connecting a hosepipe to your kitchen faucet’s cold and hot taps. Run the cold tap and allow the water to flow through the pipe into the hot water tap. This will get rid of the air. However, you might require the assistance of an expert plumber to resolve the issue for you.
Contact White’s Plumbing Today
If your sink has recently started sputtering when turned on, you may have one of the issues that were mentioned above. If you are located in North Carolina, contact White’s Plumbing of Youngsville to have your sputtering sink fixed.
