If you are reading this then it is safe to assume that you're in the middle of a plumbing system dilemma. You have no water running in your house, and you need to figure out how to restore water pressure to get things running again. Have no fear!
There's obviously a logical reason why water has suddenly stopped flowing in your house. The issue is trying to figure out the root cause and resolving the issue fast.
It is important to know what steps to take when there is no water coming into your house so that everyone can be safe while dealing with problems like water pressure issues, leaks or broken plumbing pipes. We will also provide helpful tips on why the water flow stopped working without leaving anything out!
We'll answer common questions our team of national plumbing repair experts hear when we get calls about suddenly no water pressure in the entire house, like:
- What should I do if my house has no water?
- Why has my water suddenly stopped working?
- Does my home suffer from low water pressure?
Let's dive in! (Sorry, no water pun intended)
No Water In My House: What Should I Do?
Here are the steps you need to take if your faucets are not producing water. We recommend following this exact order.
Step 1: Check Another Sink
Before you get alarmed, make sure you thoroughly investigate the problem. Your first step should be to check the other water taps in your house. While one tap not working correctly is frightening, it doesn't necessarily imply that your home has been shut down.
If the problem is with only one tap, it's significantly simpler to repair. Depending how many taps are running dry may lead to a more serious problem. However, if you're correct after trying other taps in your home and the other faucets aren't receiving water, you'll want the assistance of a professional plumber.
Step 2: Look For Signs of a Large Leak
If you don't find any water coming out of your faucets, the worst-case scenario is this sudden drop is due to a major leak somewhere in your house. Don't get worked up, but take care while searching through all of your home's other rooms for signs of leaking. Because water might cause significant damage to your property if a severe leak occurs, you must act fast.
Check any faucet for leaks, or a leaking hot water heater. Shut off all sources of water that are connected to it. This can be achieved by closing valves near the leak or, if everything else fails, turning off your home's main shut off valve.
Step 3: Check Your Water Source
If you saw no obvious signs of a large leak, the next step is to inspect the valve that regulates the water supply that comes into your house. You've undoubtedly seen plastic casings with wraps buried in your yard while you were mowing the lawn. One of these will have a valve that controls the public water supply flowing into your house. Examine the valve to see whether it's in the on position. If so, then the valve is not likely to be the source of your problem.
If you have a well instead of using a municipal water supply, make sure the electric well water pump that extracts water from the ground is working. A shallow well or issue with the well pump pressure tank could be your culprit. Your local plumber can assist with assessing the state of your pump should it need repairing or replacing.
Step 4: Check For Frozen Pipes
Don't forget to think about the time of year. If it's winter and you've been experiencing freezing temperatures, it could be possible you have a frozen pipe restricting flow.
Cold water in an uninsulated pipe will freeze causing low water pressure, or no water at all. While frozen pipes are preventable, they typically will unfreeze themselves during the day as the temperatures rise. If you see any exposed areas of pipe, you can try heating them up with a hairdryer.
Step 5: Check With Your Neighbors
This is usually an easy step if you're friendly with your neighbors. But if you've come to the conclusion there is no leak, no froze pipe, all valves are turned on, and there is no water at all coming into your home, ask a neighbor if they're experiencing the same thing.
This day in age, many neighborhoods have online community groups across different platforms where neighbors can ask questions and leave comments (about a power outage or fireworks mostly). If you're not the type of person to walk up and ring your neighbor's doorbell, try Facebook or Nextdoor and see if anyone else in your area is talking about the same issue you are experiencing.
Step 6: Check Your Local Water Utility Company
The root cause for no water in your home may come from outside your home. If a major municipal water pipe breaks, your water provider will switch off the entire line. This will effectively shut off your water until that water main break is fixed.
Call your water department to confirm, or go to their website to see if there are any known water outages listed. Many utilities have online maps that show markers of known or reported issues. If you live close to one of those known or reported trouble spots, you may just have to wait this out until your water comes back on.
Step 7: Call Your Plumbing Company
If you're reached this final step and you still can't figure out what is causing no water running in your house, it's time to call in the professionals. A local plumbing service provider can assess your home's pluming system and perform numerous tests and inspections to find what is causing the dry spell.
It's because they have the knowledge and tools to figure out why you don't have any water flowing in. When they discover the cause of your no-water situation, they will also have the know-how and gear to deal with any plumbing issues that arise.
If you're ready to make a call to a local plumbing standing by to serve you, call ARS/Rescue Rooter today at 866-399-2885 or find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location to book an appointment!
Reasons Why Your Home Suddenly Has No Water
Aside from typical blunders, your system might be suffering from other issues that cause a shortage of water pressure in your house. You can figure out which of these issues is causing problems for your house, and which ones require the expertise of a professional plumber.
Issue With Your Water Utility
Contact your water provider and inquire about any problems with the water supply. If you have to wait for them to finish working on it, you'll be in limbo until they do.
Main Water Shutoff Valve Isn't Open Entirely
Unless you've had to deal with a leak or a burst pipe, you haven't tried moving this valve. If it has a handle similar to the one on your hose that you would use to turn it on, keep turning it counterclockwise as far as possible. The handle should be parallel to the pipe. If it isn't, your pressure won't be high enough.
Water Meter Valve Isn't Open Entirely
If you've recently had work done on your house, especially if you first began to experience a lack of water pressure, you should contact your water company. The valve was most likely not completely opened after the job was finished, and someone will need to go back in and do it all the way open.
Clogged Pipes
Clogs don't only develop in your drains. They can even build up in the depths of your piping, and a small blockage can gum up the works enough to cause a significant drop in water pressure. Because this kind of blockage might be anywhere beneath your house, it's another one of those instances when you'll want to call a plumber. The last thing you want to do is start unraveling pipes and have them come apart.
Leaking Pipes
If you have access to your pipes, check them for wet patches or stagnant water. A leak can cause your water pressure to drop and the supply of water to be shut off entirely. You should inspect your home's water supply lines or hot water system for drips or dents to determine if this is the source of your tap issues. If you detect any leaks, you should call a plumber right away.
Corroded Plumbing
If your property is older, the danger of corrosion increases. Pipes, particularly galvanized steel pipes, have an expiration date. Galvanized steel pipes can start to corrode after only 20 years. Copper pipes should be used for a minimum of 50 years and brass ones for at least 40 years.
Let ARS/Rescue Rooter Restore Water Flow to Your Home
That's a lot to think about when it comes to figuring out why your taps are not producing water. If you don't have much plumbing know-how, now is the time to call a professional.
The plumbers at ARS/Rescue Rooter have the experience, equipment, and know-how to resolve any major plumbing problem - including no water in your home. Call our plumbers at 866-399-2885 or find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location to schedule service today!
