Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 11/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: When I turn on a water faucet in my house it spits air.  The house is about 4 years old and is on city water.  It seems to be happening consistently now.  used to only happen in the morning when the first faucet was turned on.  Any ideas.

ANSWER: Dear Rob,

  I have a question back! Can you tell if this air comes out when you run only the hot water? I know many faucets are single handle, but if you pull a handle to the left for hot water you should be able to tell. This might help determine where the problem lies. Also, is this going on with all your faucets? Please write back and let me know, OK?  Sharon

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mostly cold water.  started in the 1/2 bath with sink and toilet.  now seems to be in kitchen.  1/2 bath is 1st water device the house system comes to.  kitchen is 2nd closest.

Answer
Dear Rob,

  I honestly am stumped. If you were on a well, that could happen. It couldn't be a leak in your waterline because a city line is under constant pressure and any leak would shoot water OUT, not allow air in.

  I don't service water softeners, and you may not even have one, just trying to think of anything that might be causing this. Have you called the water company? There might have been some work done on a waterline near you house and an air gap might be trying to escape.

  I've had occasions where a household suddenly had dirt coming through the waterlines, often plugging aerators or getting stuck in faucet and toilet washers causing leaks. It always turned out that a pipe had broken under the street or a line was added and dirt got into the pipe when they were working on it. There might be a logical explanation from the water company.

  You could ask a few of the other experts. I've been in this business 26 years and never came across this problem before. Wish I had a better answer!  Sharon