What Causes My Faucet to Hiss When I Turn It On?
- Hisses and other faucet noises may be the result of a worn-out washer. To examine the faucet’s washer, turn off the water at the main water supply closest to the faucet in question. Using a wrench, loosen the bottom of the faucet and pull out the valve unit by the handle. Remove the screw at the bottom of the washer and inspect the washer for wear or damage. Replace the washer if necessary and reassemble the faucet.
- Cavitation may also produce hissing sounds in the faucet. Cavitation is the formation of cavities – or small vacuum bubbles - that collapse under water pressure. The sound of these thousands of cavities produces a hissing noise when the faucet is partially open. In addition to the faucet, cavitation can also occur in valves, fittings and sharp bends in the pipes. Make sure that the plumbing fixtures are not attached too tightly. Also, using plastic or soft copper hoses reduces the occurrence of sharp bends.
- A pressurized water leak may also account for the faucet’s hissing sound. In addition, a pressurized water leak may result in a higher than normal water bill. To determine if you have a leak, turn off all of the water in your residence -- including water to ice makers, swimming pools and other outlets. Observe the movement on your water meter. If the small triangle is spinning, you have a water leak.
- The faucet’s hiss may be a result of a water main break. Des Moines Water Works estimates that it repairs roughly 250 water main breaks each year, and these occurrences increase during the months of December through February. Underground water main breaks can be triggered by frost, corrosion or fluctuations in water pressure. After the water has been restored, turning on the faucets will produce a hissing or gurgling sound, and the water will be discolored, but these conditions should cease after a few minutes. If not, contact your local water works company for assistance.