Quick Answer:
If your sink is spitting air after the water was turned back on, it’s usually trapped air or a small pressure surge in the supply lines. In most cases you can clear it yourself by purging the lines: run cold first, then hot, and open higher fixtures to bleed air out. These steps typically stop the sputtering within a few minutes.
Why This Happens
- When water is shut off and then restored, pockets of air can enter the pipes. Those pockets get pushed toward the fixtures and come out as sputtering or spitting.
- Pressure changes when a main valve or section valve is closed and reopened can send small bursts of water and air together.
- Debris or sediment disturbed during the shutoff can briefly interrupt flow and cause noisy, uneven water delivery.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Start at the affected sink — purge air lines
Turn the sink faucet fully on to cold and leave it running. Let it run until the flow is steady and the sputtering stops. This forces trapped air out through the faucet.
2. Run cold first, then hot
After the cold side is steady, switch to the hot side and let it run. Running cold first reduces the risk of scalding if a hot pocket is released. Run each side for a minute or two until flow is consistent.
3. Bleed upper fixtures
Air often collects at the highest points in your plumbing. Go to higher fixtures (upstairs showers, tubs, or sinks) and open their faucets fully to allow air to escape. Work from the top of the house downward so trapped air can move out through open fixtures.
4. Check valves and isolation stops under the sink
Ensure the supply stops under the sink are fully open. If they were partially closed during the shutoff, opening them fully helps restore steady pressure and clears remaining air.
5. Watch and repeat if needed
If sputtering continues, repeat running cold then hot and re-bleeding upper fixtures. Most trapped air clears after a couple of full runs through the system.
What Not to Do
- Do not open all faucets at once. That can create a large pressure surge and may draw debris into fixtures.
- Do not try to disassemble valves or faucet cartridges while the line is pressurized unless you know what you’re doing.
- Do not use excessive force on stuck handles or valves — that can break components and cause leaks.
When to Call a Professional
- If sputtering continues after purging and bleeding higher fixtures for several minutes, call a plumber.
- If the water is discolored, has debris, or pressure is very low at multiple fixtures, you likely need a technician to inspect the supply lines or meter.
- If you discover a stuck or leaking shutoff or the faucet handle is hard to operate, get help rather than forcing it — especially if you see signs of corrosion or leaks affecting the faucet mechanism. Bathroom Sink Faucet Handle Is Hard To Turn
- If the problem is limited to one sink and nothing else, or persistent low flow appears at that location, consider troubleshooting the fixture specifically — see Bathroom Sink Has Low Water Pressure Only At This Sink for focused checks.
Safety Notes
- When you run hot water to purge lines, be careful of scalding. Start with cold and switch slowly to hot.
- If you need to work under the sink, turn off the isolation valves first and place a bucket under any connections you loosen to catch water.
- If you smell gas or find a major leak during any step, shut off the main water supply and call a professional immediately.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why is my sink still sputtering after I ran the water? Short answer: there may be more air pockets; run cold then hot again and open higher fixtures to bleed the system.
- Could this damage my faucet? Occasional sputtering is unlikely to damage a faucet. Persistent pressure issues or debris can wear parts faster — have a pro inspect if it continues.
- How long should this take to fix? Usually a few minutes to clear. If it lasts more than 15–20 minutes after purging and bleeding, call a plumber.