What is a spitting faucet?

Author: Nels Wunsch  |  Last update: Sunday, July 5, 2026

Most times, a surprise spitting faucet is the result of a pressure change, which most commonly means there's air trapped somewhere in your plumbing. Aside from spitting, you may also hear tapping or banging inside the walls when your water is in use.

How do you fix a spitting faucet?

The faucet aerator is a little metal screen that attaches to the end of your faucet just before the water comes out. When it gets a layer of dirt and grime, the water will come sputtering out. The fix is easy: clean or replace the aerator yourself. You can replace your aerator in about an hour for about $30.

Why is water spitting out of my faucet?

Air in the Water Lines

During colder months or during periods of higher water usage, it's possible for your water to become more aerated by pockets or bubbles of air. When this air enters your water lines, it can cause the faucet to "spit" and make a gurgling sound as it runs.

What does a sputtering faucet mean?

A sputtering sound often indicates air in the pipes. Continuous sputtering might suggest a more persistent issue like a significant blockage or a damaged component.

Why does my faucet spit when I turn it on?

Low Water Pressure

When the water pressure in your home gets too low, it can cause your faucet to start sputtering. This can happen when the pressure regulator in your home fails, malfunctions, or is tampered with.

The Punggol HandyMan: Solving Weak Water Pressure from a Kitchen Tap

How to get rid of air in water pipes?

Remove air from your pipes in five easy steps:
  1. Turn Off Your Main Water Supply Valve. ...
  2. Open all the faucets in your house. ...
  3. Wait for All Faucets to Run Dry and Flush Toilets. ...
  4. Turn the Main Water Supply Back On. ...
  5. Turn All Faucets Off Again in the Correct Order.

How do I know if my kitchen faucet diverter is bad?

Uneven water flow, low pressure when the pressure at other faucets seems all right, or troublesome switching back and forth from spray head to sink spout can be caused by a malfunctioning diverter valve or by a restricted hose.

How do I fix water sputtering?

Many times, the air found in your plumbing can be removed by running the cold water taps in your home simultaneously until the sputtering stops.

How do I know if my faucet aerator is bad?

You will know if a sink aerator is bad when the water no longer comes out bubbly and soft.

Why am I getting air in my faucet?

Air can enter your water pipes through broken plumbing parts. Most of them will break down over time due to wear and tear. When this happens, it can hamper the efficiency of your plumbing system in diverse ways, including pushing air into your water pipes.

How do you get air out of faucet lines?

While these sounds can be scary and seem like serious issues, the cause is usually quite benign. Most often, a loud sound coming from your pipes is caused by trapped air. By turning off your main water supply and running all faucets for 10-15 minutes, you force any trapped air through your water pipes.

Why is my faucet sputtering well water?

Sputtering water indicates that air is getting into your system at one point or another. The first place we recommend checking is your water pump. Inspect the well pump for any cracks and listen for unusual noises that may allude to an underlying issue.

Why is my cold tap spluttering?

Spluttering taps, irregular water flow and vibrating pipes may indicate that there are air bubbles present.

Is air in water pipes bad?

Some of these consequences include: Reduced Pumping Efficiency: Air in pipelines can reduce the efficiency of the pumping system. The air trapped at the high points of the system blocks flow, increasing the pressure head and thus the energy required for flow to occur.

Why is the water pulsating out of my faucet?

What Causes Pulsating/Sputtering Faucets? A faucet that sputters out water instead of a steady stream is often caused by air in the plumbing. This air can be introduced by a restriction in your plumbing, improper calibration of well system components, a worn-out pressure tank, or even a leak in your water well system.

How can I increase water pressure in my house?

A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter. If your pressure gauge reading was low, make slight adjustments to your regulator.

Can you clean a faucet aerator without removing it?

Soak the aerator in vinegar for 5–20 minutes.

If you can't get the aerator off of the faucet, fill a plastic bag with vinegar. Put the end of the faucet inside the bag. Secure the bag to the faucet with a rubber band and let it sit for 20 minutes.

What happens if aerator stops working?

One crucial component of a septic system is the aerator, responsible for promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down waste and keep your system running smoothly. However, when your septic system aerator isn't working, it can lead to a host of problems, from foul odors to backups and costly repairs.

How often should you change faucet aerators?

It's recommended you replace the aerator annually, and then clean the aerator twice a year. If the aerator appears to need frequent cleaning or becomes worn, the aerator may need to be replaced more often. Lead from fixtures, soldered joints, or pipes can get into your water.

Why is my faucet spitting?

Most times, a surprise spitting faucet is the result of a pressure change, which most commonly means there's air trapped somewhere in your plumbing. Aside from spitting, you may also hear tapping or banging inside the walls when your water is in use.

How do you fix sputtering?

How to Fix:
  1. Replace clogged fuel filter or malfunctioning fuel pump.
  2. It's important to use the appropriate fuel, per your car manufacturer's recommendations.
  3. Follow fuel filter replacement intervals.
  4. If your engine sputters only after being shut off, your carburetor may be in need of adjustment or cleaning.

How do I know if my faucet needs to be replaced?

Before experiencing a major plumbing problem in your home, it's best to replace your faucet if any of the following problems occur.
  1. Dripping Faucet. ...
  2. Leaking Faucet or Handles. ...
  3. Rust, Grime, or Mineral Deposits. ...
  4. Squeaking Handle or Other Damaged Components. ...
  5. Spitting Faucet. ...
  6. Noisy Faucet. ...
  7. Aging Faucet. ...
  8. Water Tastes or Smells Bad.

What happens when a diverter valve goes bad?

A malfunctioning diverter valve can result in lukewarm water or no hot water at all, disrupting daily life and potentially increasing heating bills.

How do you clean a kitchen faucet diverter?

Insert a flat head screwdriver or an Allen wrench into the body cavity to pop out the diverter. Check for debris on the diverter, as well as in the diverter cavity in the faucet body. Clean the diverter thoroughly by soaking in a 50/50 vinegar and water solution for two hours; reinstall.

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