Quick Answer:
If the city says service is restored but air keeps coming through faucets, first confirm whether the problem is in your house or the street, then purge aerated water slowly at a cold tap. If the meter still shows flow with everything off, or pressure stays unstable for hours, contact the water utility for help.
Why This Happens
When a public main loses pressure during an outage, air can enter the service line and get trapped in your pipes. When service returns, that air moves through fixtures in fits and starts, causing sputtering, spitting or brief bursts of air and water. Sometimes the air shows up first from one source (for example, the water heater) — note cases like Hot water spits air first. Other times air pockets sit in low-use branches of the house and show up only after sitting a while — see situations like Air only after long periods of no use.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1) Check whether neighbors have the same problem
- Ask one or two nearby households whether they’re seeing sputtering or low/unstable pressure. If neighbors report the same, the issue is likely on the street or with the utility.
2) Turn off appliances and stop water use inside and outside
- Shut off washing machines, dishwashers, irrigation timers and any devices that use water so you can get a clear read on whether water is flowing when it shouldn’t be.
3) Run a cold faucet slowly to purge aerated water
- Open a single cold faucet (usually a kitchen sink) slowly until flow runs steadily without sputtering. Running the faucet gently helps push pockets of air out without causing pressure spikes.
- Avoid running multiple fixtures at full blast; one slow stream is usually enough to clear air from the main branch of the household plumbing.
4) Check the water meter for unexpected motion
- With all faucets and appliances off, look at your water meter. If the dial or digital indicator is still moving, that suggests water is flowing somewhere (a leak or an unresolved service issue).
- If you can’t access the meter safely or it’s in a locked box, note that and tell the utility when you call.
5) Watch pressure and give it time, then contact the utility if it doesn’t settle
- If pressure is unstable or air keeps appearing for more than an hour or two after service is supposed to be restored, call the water utility. Persistent air often means the main is still being worked on or pressure is cycling.
What Not to Do
- Don’t keep cycling the city curb stop/meter valves yourself—report persistent air/pressure issues to the utility.
- Don’t attempt to disassemble the meter or work inside the utility’s service box; that is usually illegal and can create hazards.
When to Call a Professional
- Call the water utility if neighbors have the same problem, if the meter moves with everything off, or if pressure and air issues continue for hours.
- Call a licensed plumber if the utility confirms the main is stable but you still have sputtering or a moving meter — that can indicate a leak inside your service line or plumbing that a plumber should diagnose.
Safety Notes
- Use cold taps to purge air first. Hot water can spit and cause scalds, so be careful if you check hot fixtures.
- Do not try to open or force the meter box or service shutoff if you’re not trained; leave those tasks to the utility or a licensed pro.
- If you suspect contamination (brown water, strong smells), stop using the water for drinking and notify the utility immediately.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why does air keep coming back? Often because pockets of air remain in the service line or the utility is still cycling pressure; if neighbors see it too, it’s likely on the street.
- How long should I wait before calling the utility? If air or unstable pressure continues more than an hour or two after restoration, call the utility.
- Could this damage my plumbing or appliances? Brief air events are usually harmless, but repeated pressure swings or a hidden leak can cause wear—get the meter checked if it keeps running with everything off.
Related Articles
If you’re troubleshooting a similar symptom, these guides may help:
For the full directory, see Air in Pipes After Shutoff.