Chances are, it's air traveling around and out of your plumbing. Look at Water Quality – If your hot water is cloudy and sputtering, it's likely another sign that air bubbles have entered your plumbing. Inspect for Leaks – It's also possible that a slow leak is affecting the water pressure.
Work in a clockwise manner from the main water supply throughout the house. Open each hot and cold water faucet a half turn to let air and water escape. Repeat this process for toilets, showers, tubs, the washing machine and dishwasher. By turning on these fixtures and appliances, it pulls the air out of the lines.
Listening for Noises Turn on the faucet and listen for unusual noises. 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.
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.
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.
Turn On Faucets Throughout Your Home
After turning on all the cold and hot water faucets in your home, you should also flush your toilet to remove any air trapped in your pipes. The idea is to allow all of the water in your home to circulate freely. So turn on your washing machine and let it run a rinse cycle.
One of the most common causes is the installation of new pipes or alterations to existing ones, which can cause air bubbles to enter your pipes and create air locks. Construction or repair work in the neighborhood can also introduce air into your home's plumbing system.
Water Pressure Problems
Inadequate water pressure or inconsistent water pressure can cause a sputtering faucet. Low water pressure may be due to a variety of factors, including a partially closed water valve, a blockage in the plumbing system, or a problem with the municipal water supply.
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. If this doesn't work, or you are dealing with sputtering water pressure throughout your home, there's a good chance that damaged plumbing is to blame.
If you have any leaks in your pipework, air can enter the water lines through them. Any such leaks can throw your home's water supply network out of balance, causing significant water pressure problems. Also, the amount of air in your plumbing system will continue to increase, worsening the noise and water flow issues.
A plunger can be a handy tool for forcing air and blockages out of the pipes. Place the plunger over the drain and push down firmly several times. The pressure created can often force out minor clogs and allow trapped air to escape.
The water which comes out of your tap has been aerated by the water company, so when the pressure is released some of it comes out as bubbles.
As water flows through the plumbing, it pushes air in front of it, creating a vacuum effect. The plumbing vents, which are located on the roof, are supposed to prevent this from happening. So, if you're hearing unusual sounds, it means there is a vent issue that needs to be corrected.
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.
Another reason air bubbles may form is the fact that the water in the pipes are under more pressure than the water coming out of your faucet. Water under pressure holds more oxygen and thus as it changes to being under less pressure this oxygen is released as tiny air bubbles.
How to get rid of it: Actually, air bubbles in water is a completely harmless issue so there's no need to do anything. But if the air bubbles are a nuisance, ask a plumber to recommend possible solutions such as installing an air elimination valve.
Sputtering well water is usually a sign of air mixing into the water supply. Air can enter the system from a faulty pump, pressure tank, or fissures in pipes. Sputtering can also be caused by mineralization, faulty valves, or concentrated gas.
Plumbing Maintenance: The primary cause of trapped air in pipes stems from lack of routine plumbing maintenance, especially when the water supply shutoff valve is turned off for long periods. This interruption in flow allows air to enter the system.
Turn on your main water valve and listen for the sound of air escaping from the open faucets. Let water run for about 10–15 minutes or until the flow becomes steady without sputtering. Once the flow has stabilized, turn off your faucets. Check that your toilets have refilled properly and flush them again if necessary.
After you turn off your mains water system and drain excess water from your residence, turning the water back on and running your faucets and house appliances that use water can remove air bubbles from the pipes.