"Well, it should have come out of the spout, but the pipe is thinner than I'm used to..."

So instead of overpowering the shut-off valve at the end to switch it on from the inside, the water had burst out the side. Path of least resistance, and all. Maybe a flaw in the metal? Plenty strong enough to handle regular water pressure, but not so much when chi got involved.

"...Not that I'm super used to plumbing in general... or cooking on something that isn't an open flame. Why's oil make a difference?"