Why Is Your Faucet Splashing Everywhere?

While it is normal to have a little water splash here and there when using the kitchen or bathroom sink, when the splashing is excessive, it can be a true nuisance. A simple washing of the hands or a quick rinse of the dishes can turn into a flood of water. Not only does this leave homeowners potentially soaking wet, but it can cause a serious safety hazard when water hits the floor.

For those dealing with a faucet splashing everywhere, it's essential first to understand the reason for the splashing. From here, homeowners can take the right action to mitigate the issue. This guide will walk through the common reasons for a splashing faucet, how to solve these issues, and the best pairings of faucets and sinks to prevent splashing. The result is that water stays in the sink, and homeowners stay dry.

The Reasons for a Splashing Faucet

There are numerous reasons why a faucet might be splashing more than usual. This can take place in either the bathroom or the kitchen. The following are a few of the common culprits of a splashing faucet:

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  A shallow sink: In some cases, excessive splashing is due to the sink's design. Particularly shallow sinks, most commonly found in bathrooms as a decorative piece, can lead to heavy amounts of splashing water. Due to the shallow depth of the sink basin, water is dispersed outward rather than falling into the drain. Generally, the issue is caused when a tall faucet is paired with a shallow sink. The water has too much force leaving the spout, splashing against the sink's sides and over the edge.
• A mismatched faucet: Even when a sink features a deep basin style, if the wrong faucet is paired with a sink, it can cause splashing to occur. Usually, the issue is that the faucet spout is too far above the sink basin. The extra space between the bottom of the sink basin and the faucet spout causes excessive force as the water hits the basin.
• A misaligned faucet: Another cause for a splashing faucet can be due to the placement of the faucet. A misaligned faucet can cause water to hit the edges of the sink rather than going directly down the drain.
• Powerful water pressure: In some cases, the faucet spout might cause splashing water. The pressure can be too strong if the wrong faucet head is utilized. This is often the case with a spray head, which disperses the water with air, causing an even stronger water flow and extra splashing upon contact with the sink basin.

How To Choose the Right Faucet for a Sink To Prevent Splashing

To match the right faucet to an existing sink and to prevent splashing, the key is to take careful measurements of the sink and the space around the sink. To take measurements, grab a tape measure and a notepad to record each of the following.

The Overall Height

The first thing to measure is the overall height available for a faucet. Measure from the center mounting hole or center of the mounting deck upwards to any windows or cabinets above the sink basin. This will provide the maximum height that a new faucet can be to fit comfortably underneath any adjacent objects.

The Spout Height

One of the most important measurements with splashing is the distance between the bottom of the sink basin to the spout. For bathrooms, the goal is to ensure enough room to comfortably wash one's hands in the sink but not too many extra inches between the spout and the basin. In the kitchen, more space will be needed to allow for washing dishes and filling pots and pans.

Additionally, the right spout height will depend on the sink style. A short spout for a small, narrow, shallow sink basin will be ideal. For a wide and deep sink basin, a taller spout will work well as there is more space for water displacement as it hits the bottom of the sink.

The Spout Reach

Another way to prevent unintended splashing is to ensure that the spout reaches the center of the sink. Measure from the center mounting hole forward to the dead center of the sink. This will ensure that the faucet installed is not set too far back or too far forward, which can cause splashing and make it difficult to use the sink.

What Faucets Pair Best With What Sinks

Whether a homeowner is upgrading the sink and the faucet simultaneously or hoping to mitigate a splashing issue with a bett