7 Reasons Why Kitchen Faucet Pulsate?(Solved)

7 Reasons Why Kitchen Faucet Pulsate?

There are different kitchen faucet types, and they typically function in various ways. One common action is to turn on the water and let it run until the pipes pressure up. I refer to this as pulsating or aerator mode.

Your Kitchen faucet pulsate because of the scalding hot water, a leaky supply line or faucet, the metal parts in your sink and water pipes expanding and contracting due to high heat from the water flowing through them. This expansion and contraction can create small pulses of pressure.

Most faucets compose of brass. Brass is made up of alloy of copper, zinc, and occasionally tin. When the faucet is cold, the brass is solid.

If a hot water source like a dishwasher or tub gets turned on, that heat can cause enough expansion to create small pulses in your faucet’s inner workings.

Hot water temperature can also indirectly indicate the leaking of the hot water line. A hot water leak will cause the water to run continuously even if the faucet is off, increasing the hot water flow rate.

Reducing pressure in your pipes with a pressure-reducing aerator is one way to prevent pulsating faucets due to high water temperature. These devices work by creating a larger opening at the faucet, reducing the water flow rate into your sink.

A Leaky Supply Line or Faucet– leak in your hot water supply line can make your faucet pulsate. If a pipe under your sink ever springs a leak or is faulty, hot water will continue to flow through it without letting up.

The heat from the leaking water will cause the brass parts to expand and contract, which creates pulsations at your faucet’s spout.

If water is bubbling up from the drains in your sink that has never happened before, you might have leak somewhere in your hot water system.

One can check for leaks by placing food coloring or a dye tablet into your sink’s drain and waiting for 15 minutes. If there is a leak, the dye color should be visible on the pipes under your sink.

How Do You Fix Pulsating Water Pressure?

First, Make sure that you are measuring the pressure around your home. Most homes have a hot water supply coming into the house through a pipe.

You will find this pipe, usually labeled with text, in your basement or garage and usually has a convenient valve that says “hot water.”

Next, Determine where the problem is coming from. If you’re only seeing high pressure when you shower, check if there are any old pipes in your house. The most likely areas are the pipes coming into your house and going out to the water heater.

If one of these pipes isn’t functioning properly, check for leaks by running a small amount of water through it. If you don’t see any leaks, you need to call an expert to install a new pipe.

When taking care of it, try filling up a bucket with cold water and letting it sit for approximately five minutes before turning on the faucet. Cold water can be very annoying, and it’s common in older homes to have this problem.

If you don’t experience any problems and the hot water remains very hot, then there is a possibility that the problem is not a leak.

In this case, you will need to replace part or all your shower heads. This should not be difficult and only cost a few dollars.

More often than not, when the hot water becomes uneven or pulsing, it means something wrong with your piping. This is a frequent issue in older homes and usually requires an expert.

Seven Reasons Why Kitchen Faucets Pulsate? And How to Fix

Inadequate Air Pressure	This issue is common in rural communities but can also happen through a malfunctioning pressure booster pump.   If you have a well as your water source, check to see if your faucet’s aerator has clogged with calcium deposits.
Back-Watering	When there’s too much water pressure in the system, the water will push up and back down through the pipes looking for equilibrium.   I call this back-watering, and you can experience this when the sink in the kitchen is too low or an internal leak in the sink drain. To solve this, close the shutoff valve under the sink in the kitchen.
The Piping Is Rusty Or Damaged	If there is a compromise in the piping between your faucet and the water supply, you must replace it. This issue sometimes happens when a pipe breaks but doesn’t give out any leaks yet.   When this happens, the pressure in the system becomes unstable and alternates between being too much and too little.
Low water supply	You must ensure that the water pump works properly if you have a well. If it is not working correctly, there will be no water pressure.   If you have a tube cut into your home and then sealed up, this will also cause an issue with the pressure.
Malfunctioning Pressure Switch	If the pressure switch has gone bad, it can be intermittent, which means that sometimes water will flow freely and pulsate at other times.   This issue is easily solved by removing the handle from the Faucet and disconnecting the wire from the pressure switch. This will allow you to test whether or not the switch is bad by connecting one end of a jumper wire to each terminal on the pressure switch and then turning on the water. If the pressure switch is partially open, the water will constantly flow or not at all. If the pressure switch is open or broken, water will constantly flow back and forth through the faucet.
Pipe Connected to The Faucet Is Loose	A loose pipe attached to your faucet will allow water to come up out of the faucet when you turn it on. To fix this, remove your handle and disconnect the wire from the pressure switch.   Then turn on the faucet. If water comes up from the faucet and then goes back down, the pipe attached is loose.
Valve Boasts A Loose Washer	A loose washer on a valve can produce the same result as a loose pipe. You fix this by removing your handle and disconnecting the wire from the pressure switch.   Then turn on the faucet. If water comes out of it, it’s a valve with a loose washer. To fix this issue, shut off the water supply to the sink, then carefully remove the valve from the sink. You can access it by removing the handle and unscrewing the faceplate of your faucet. Then you can clean off any dirt or residue that may have built up on the valve’s washer. You will also want to inspect your valve to see if it has bent. If so, replace it with a new one.

How Do You Test a Water Pressure Regulator?

Once installed, you can test a water pressure regulator, but that isn’t always possible. If what you need is a new unit, do the following:

1. Turn off the water supply valve to the regulator and allow it to drain thoroughly. Insert a 2-inch soft noodle, a thin, malleable rubber tube commonly used for home plumbing repairs, into both lower ports.
2. After 10 minutes, remove both noodles from the regulator and measure their size with a ruler or calipers.
3. Water pressure regulators deliver a constant, even flow of water at the consumer’s faucet; you can do this by maintaining a steady amount of pressure inside the regulator.
4. The lower noodles should measure the same size. If not, it’s time to replace the regulator.
5. To test each upper port, make sure the water supply is off and insert a 2-inch noodle into each port. The ports should stop dispensing water when both are full of noodles.

Water pressure regulators maintain a constant, even flow of water at the consumer’s faucet; you can do this by maintaining a steady amount of pressure inside the regulator.

If one low port doesn’t stop dispensing water with both 2-inch noodles, it’s time for a new regulator.

Before installation, ensure the new valve is snug and won’t pull off when turned on. Otherwise, replace it as well.

If you install a water pressure regulator with an adjustable flow control valve, set it to the middle faucet position (2-3/4 inches) before installing a 2-inch noodle in each outlet.

If you can change the setting while the valve is off, feel free to do so. But if you’re installing a new regulator and haven’t set the valve’s knob size, leave the setting alone. Use a 2-inch noodle in each outlet to test it after installation.

After installation, check the faucet’s flow control setting at least once a year. If you set it to 3 inches (instead of 2 1/2 inches), replace the valve and use a 2-inch noodle in each outlet to test it before turning on the water supply again.

What Are the Causes of Surging Water Pressure?

1. Well, System Problems

Well-system problems can result from a clogged GPM, Pm pump, or broken powerline. Clogged pumps are probably caused by sediment build-up in the sprayer and head allowing it to become clogged with the food and soap particles gushing down your sink.

2. Fluctuating Water Supply

Fluctuating water pressure may be the result of insufficient water storage. If you are using a well for your water supply, then it’s not uncommon for the pressure to drop when you turn the pump on.

The pump must maintain supply levels in the reservoir by continually pumping as you use the water. If there is insufficient capacity in your reservoir, then you will see fluctuations in the pressure as the pressure drops before or after a flush.

3. High Water Pressure During Normal Flow

If the pressure seems high at normal flow times, you may have a problem with an incorrect pump size. High pressure could also result from a clogged filter, the wrong model piping, or a broken powerline.

4. Water Pressure Fluctuations During Normal Flow

High water pressure is commonly caused by a large water consumption or a high flow rate. This may result from an incorrect pump size, the wrong model piping, or a broken powerline.

If you have high pressure that only occurs during normal flow, you may have an issue with your plumbing design.

For example, if you use a large pipe that does not allow enough water pressure to go through it, it can result in high pressure on the faucet. This can also happen if you have an insufficient supply of water.

Can I Adjust My Water Pressure Regulator?

Yes! You can adjust your water pressure regulator. Shut off the water supply first, then drain the system. You can do this by turning off the water valve near your meter.

Then you need to turn on a faucet or two, so you can see where your pipes are while they’re draining. You can do this by opening all the faucets in your house (kitchen, bathroom, laundry room).

Finally, follow these steps:

• Get a wrench to loosen and tighten your pressure regulator’s knob. (This will vary with different models of water pressure regulators.)
• Turn your faucets back on and check the pressure. If it’s too low, tighten up your regulator; if it’s too high, loosen the knob.
• Open all your faucets and let the system drain again.
• Check that the water pressure is correct by turning on a shower valve or faucet and running hot water through it. If your pressure regulator is working properly, you should feel a steady stream of water coming out at that location.
• If you still feel a pressure difference, whereas one area of your home feels very different from another, you might want to call a plumber.
• Ensure that you maintain the water pressure by turning off all faucets and draining the system when it has been 2 or 3 hours since you last turned on a faucet.
• Finally, turn off and unplug all your faucets.

Is 70 PSI Too High for Water Pressure?

No! 70 PSI is the recommended pressure for water to flow through most standard home plumbing fixtures. Even though 70 Psi may sound high to some, it’s not.

Contact a plumber to upgrade or repair your plumbing before taking on this project. If you do decide you’d like to upgrade your water pressure, here are some things to consider:

• Check the size of your pipe and the diameter of the threads that connect pieces. It’s important that the pipe is large enough for water pressure and there aren’t any kinks blocking the flow of water.
• If you don’t want to upgrade your system, you can decrease the pressure by installing a pressure regulator.
• To increase the water pressure, there are ways to do it. Check with a plumber first by removing the faucet and finding a stamp near where the pipes connect.
• This stamp will show what material your plumbing comprises and help advise on how to suit your needs better.
• You can also clean your faucets by removing the aerator and spraying vinegar into it. You can swish the water with your finger and spray the vinegar down the drain once it stops moving.
• This will remove the lime buildup on the aerator. Generally, this cleaning step can increase water pressure within a few minutes.

Be careful not to bang on pipes while increasing pressure to avoid water damage or leaks if you are doing DIY plumbing repairs. To avoid this, try to upgrade or repair plumbing in the summer when you don’t need hot water.

Different PSI and Their Effects

PSIA (PSI Absolute)	–       It measures absolute pressure relative to a full vacuum. –      The vessel pressure with no air molecules would be 0 PSIA. –   Average surface pressure is approximately 14.7 PSIA.
PSIG (PSI Gauge)	–       It measures gauge pressure relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.   –     A vessel with no air molecules at sea level would be roughly -14.7 PSIG. –       Ambient air pressure is always 0 PSIG regardless of the current barometric pressure

How Do You Pressure Test a Plumbing Leak?

Connect your water pressure gauge to your home’s outdoor hose bib. Ensure you have a washer on the back of your pressure gauge before you connect it. You connect it just like your water hose. Also, make sure the gauge is at the maximum rating.

Head outside and place your garden hose on the highest possible water pressure setting. Be sure to use a garden hose at least 4,000 Psi and about 5 feet in diameter. Most people with basement flooding issues use their 25-foot hose bib, rated at 1,500 Psi.

After you have set your garden hose on its highest pressure setting, carefully open the water shutoff valve on your outdoor faucet.

As you open your outdoor water supply valve, you will start to get a reading on your water pressure gauge.

You must get your needle past the 2,000 Psi mark on your gauge before opening the faucet inside your home. This will ensure that your home’s plumbing system is getting a good test.

While still holding down the hose bib shutoff valve, make sure to spray water into any possible leaks in your home’s plumbing system. For example, I spray the joint between my home’s water supply valve and plumbing shutoff valve.

This also gets water in the water supply lines coming into my toilet tank, where many people have plumbing leaks if they have a basement flood issue.

Getting these areas wet with your garden hose is important before opening your indoor water supply valve to your home.

After spraying the joint between your home’s water supply valve and your home’s plumbing shutoff valve, open your indoor water supply valve to your home. This will cause the pressure on the hose bib to vent outside your basement.

While holding down your garden hose shutoff valve, slowly open the faucet inside your home. The pressure in the garden hose will slowly reduce as this occurs.

Stop spraying the garden hose after the pressure gauge has reached 5 psi and you can no longer maintain your hold on the hose bib shutoff valve. If your water pressure drops below 10 psi, stop opening the faucet inside of your house.

This little exercise will help you to find leaks in your home’s plumbing system. The test will only show you where water is escaping.

How Do I Get Rid Of Air In My Water Pipes?

Turn on the hot and cold water to about 1/8th of the way on all the faucets, then slowly turn off each one. Let the water run through twice.

For drains, open up the hole in the sink or tub using a long-handled plunger and let it sit for close to 30 minutes before trying to drain it again.

Use a few pieces of tongs or wooden spoons to remove any gunk in the sink or tub while they’re running. Remove clogs with a plumber’s snake, snaking down your pipes only once per 2 hours to avoid further clogs during drainage.

If you feel like the water is still very dirty or you’re noticing water spots on your ceiling, then call a plumber and have them take a look.

To maintain the pipes’ health, you may wish to install a device called a pipe vac in your drains as it helps to dislodge debris caught inside the drain.

You can also use citric acid or various citrus fruits in your sinks and showers to combat soap scum buildup.

If the drain clogs, attempt to pour white vinegar down (one tablespoon per five gallons). You must contact a plumbing professional if this does not work.

How Do You Clear an Airlock in Hot Water Pipes Mixer Tap?

1. Turn on the hot tap, then slowly close the mixer tap and continue turning it on.
2. With a drill, screw four screws into the airlock of the mixer tap.
3. Put in a piece of plastic or some other soft material that is not conducive to insulating the airlock from any electrical charge that might generate by grinding metal against metal with a screwdriver during the next step of the operation.
4. Hold the drill in your hand and firmly depress the metal screwdriver into the airlock, thus producing vibrations in the water.
5. Hold the metal screwdriver until water stops draining from the tap.
6. After damped out any remaining vibrations, remove the four screws, as you don’t need them any longer.
7. Turn on the cold tap and hold it under a steady, slow stream of water until all the air blows out.
8. Turn the mixer, tap it back on, and allow it to run for a while before turning it off.
9. Turn the cold tap on again and turn off the hot tap (while holding back any water that may have backed up in the mixer tap).
10. Turn both taps off, then remove all screws from the airlock of the mixer tap.
11. Put the hot tap back on; your hot water should flow normally.

Conclusion

Kitchen faucets and pressure washers are great appliances to have in your home. You should always have one of each in the kitchen. Both are used frequently, and you will use them for several daily functions.