Fix a spluttering tap

Find out why your tap splutters, clean or replace the parts causing it, and stop the noise for good.

TAP-01Work out what's causing the splutterSplutter with visible air bubbles usually means air has got into the pipework, often after work on the mains or a stopcock being closed. A steady splutter with a whistling or banging noise points to a worn washer or cartridge inside the tap. If the flow is weak as well as spluttery, the aerator on the end of the spout is probably clogged with limescale or grit.

TAP-02Turn off the water supplyFind the isolation valve under the sink — a small lever or slotted screw on the pipe just before the tap — and turn it a quarter turn, or until it feels snug, to shut it off. If there's no isolation valve, turn off the main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns before you start. Turn the tap on to confirm the water has stopped, then leave it open to release pressure in the pipe.

TAP-03Remove and clean the aeratorUnscrew the aerator from the end of the spout by hand, or use pliers wrapped in a cloth if it's stuck. Soak it in a mix of white vinegar and water, or a proprietary limescale remover, for 15–20 minutes to dissolve any scale. Rinse it under running water and use an old toothbrush to clear grit from the mesh before screwing it back on.

1 bottle · White vinegar or limescale remover

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TAP-04Test the tap before going furtherTurn the water back on at the isolation valve or stopcock and run the tap on full for a minute. If the splutter has gone, you're done — dry the area and put your tools away. If it's still spluttering, move on and check inside the tap itself.

TAP-05Turn the water off again and dismantle the tap handleShut the isolation valve or stopcock before taking the tap apart. Prise off the cap on top of the handle with a small flat screwdriver, then undo the screw underneath and lift the handle off. This exposes either the cartridge (modern mixer taps) or the washer and spindle (older taps).

TAP-06Replace a worn washer or cartridgeOn an older tap, unscrew the headgear with an adjustable spanner and check the rubber washer at the bottom — if it's flattened, split or hard, fit a same-size replacement. On a modern mixer tap, the whole cartridge usually needs replacing rather than just a washer; take the old one to a plumbers' merchant to match it exactly. Wrap any exposed thread with PTFE tape before reassembling the tap in reverse order.

1 pack · Tap washer (assorted sizes)

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1 each · Tap cartridge (matched to your tap)

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1 roll · PTFE tape

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TAP-07Bleed air from the pipeworkWith the tap reassembled, turn the water back on slowly at the isolation valve or stopcock. Run the tap on full for a minute or two to push out any trapped air — it may splutter and spit at first, then settle to a smooth flow. While it runs, check the connections under the sink for drips.

TAP-08Tidy up and do a final checkWipe down the tap, the sink and the cupboard underneath, and dry off any tools you used. Dispose of the old washer or cartridge, and keep the packaging until you're sure the fix has worked. Check back under the sink after an hour to make sure there are no slow leaks.

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