When a faucet begins to spray and sputter, it's often a simple process to repair.
Simply unscrew the aerator from the faucet...
...and remove any particles caught inside before screwing it back in place.
In this case, the white plastic particles clogging the aerator indicate that the cause of the problem may lie elsewhere.
The same type of plastic particles were showing up elsewhere in the house, clogging the the showerhead upstairs...
...and obstructing the flow of water through the water supply hose of the washing machine.
The root of the problem is here, in the hot water heater.
A traditional water heater works by feeding cool water in through a "dip tube" (at right). Water heats up inside the tank and the hot water at the top is fed to the rest of the house.
Small sediment particles can build up in the bottom of the tank and reduce burner efficiency. These particles can then be distributed through the pipes.
To correct the sediment buildup, it's necessary to flush the water heater tank. Start by turning the pilot for the water heater to the "off" position.
Attach a garden hose to the spigot at the bottom of your water heater. Place the other end of the hose over a drain.
Shut off the incoming cold water supply valve.
In the house, turn on the hot water at one of the faucets and leave it running.
Open the
spigot on the water heater and let the water drain from the tank via the hose.
In this case, the hose is draining more plastic particles - a bad sign that something is wrong inside the tank.
In the mid-'90s, some water heater manufacturers had unknowingly installed defective dip tubes in thousands of water heaters. Over time, these tubes could disintegrate inside the tank.
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