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No Water Pressure After Turning Water Back On? (Answered)

Having the right water pressure in your home is crucial to the well-being of your family. It can make a huge difference, both in terms of satisfaction and convenience. 

In this article, we will take a look at why you might have no water pressure after turning water back on and how you can change it. We will also help you understand how to restore the water pressure. So read ahead to learn more about it. 

Why do I suddenly have no water pressure after turning the water back on?

There may be a few things to blame when you have no water pressure after turning the water back on. The most likely cause may be issues with the shut-off valve. Another likely cause is sediment buildup. The tank may be subject to sediment and mineral buildup, which causes water pressure to fall. 

Several reasons may contribute to low water pressure. We rely on water to do all kinds of tasks at home. And it proves to be really bothersome when you notice that the water supply is acting up.

It is sometimes found that you suddenly have no water pressure after turning the water back on. This can be quite a troublesome issue. Even when the water is working, if the water pressure is too low, it is no good. 

So in such cases, it is very important to identify why you suddenly have no water pressure after turning the water back on. Otherwise, all your home tasks, from running laundry to cleaning dishes, will be hampered. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why you might face this issue. Read ahead to find out. 

Closed shut off valve:

One prominent reason why your home might have low water pressure is the closed shut off valve. This valve is usually located inside the house. It is indicated by a wheel handle, and you will find it somewhere inside the house.  

Make sure that the shut off valve is fully open. Rotate it in the counterclockwise direction to open it fully. 

Water meter valve is not fully open: 

Another important valve that you will find in your home is the water meter valve. This will control water pressure in the home. This valve is supposed to be located right next to the water meter. 

If the water pressure in your home is low, make sure to check the meter valve. Make sure that the valve is fully open. Check this valve especially if you are experiencing issues right after getting a repair done. 

Clogged pipes: 

Another possible reason behind low water pressure is clogged pipes. You have likely clogged pipes in the house when you experience low water pressure in the house.

The blockages in your home pipes may cause the water pressure to lower. The flow will be disrupted as well. In order to avoid such issues, make sure to clean out the pipes or replace the pipes entirely, depending on the severity of the issue. 

How long does it take for water pressure to come back? 

Water pressure does not take too long to come back. The water pressure will likely take only about a minute or two to return to its full pressure after you have turned it back on. 

And if it takes any longer than that, then there are most certainly some issues with the water pressure. Even if you open all the taps in your home, flushing and recirculating the water will only take about a minute or two. This is the case with the exception of tank water heaters. 

In fact, the water pressure will come back immediately if the pipes have not been drained. And if the pipes are drained, it will take about 30 seconds to return to its normal water pressure. 

How do I restore my water pressure? 

In order to restore your water pressure, you will have to follow these aforementioned steps: 

Contact your neighbors: 

The first step will involve contacting your neighbors. See if they are also experiencing similar issues. It may be just some issue with the city’s water supply, in which case there will not be much for you to do. Wait for them to restore the issue centrally. 

Check the water pump: 

Check the water pump in your home. There may be some issues with the supplying water pump or the well in your home. 

It may be that the water pump is having a hard time keeping up with the water demand in your home, in which case you will have to address the issue with the help of an expert.  

Clear the clogs: 

Check the water pipes in your home for clogs. If the water pumps have clogs, you will need to address the issue as soon as possible. Make sure to clear the clogs with the help of a plumber. 

Your water pipes may develop mineral build-ups. The situation may turn even worse if the water pumps carry hard water. In such cases, the diameter of the water pumps will keep on decreasing until they catch a clog. 

And you will be left with very low water pressure, sometimes even pitiful drips. 

Open the main water valve:

You will have to open the main water valve in your home when the water pressure is low. The solution is actually pretty simple. But you will need to identify the valve. 

These valve controls are typically located near the meter. You will need to open the main water valve in order to improve the water pressure in your home. 

Check if the valve is completely open. Rotate it counterclockwise to make sure that the valve is open. 

Check for leaks: 

Check whether the pipes in your home have any leaks. The pipes may have leaked and as a result, you are experiencing low water pressure. Cracks and leaks in the water pipes are not uncommon and you will have to be on the lookout for them. 

Does a water heater affect water pressure? 

Water heater affects water pressure. This happens both for hot water and cold water. There are two main reasons why this might happen.

The hard water build-up is a prominent reason why water heaters affect water pressure. The pipes may fall subject to mineral build-ups and rust. And this will compromise the water pressure and its regular flow. 

Also, note that every water heater comes with a shut off valve itself. And if you have not been able to fully open that shut off valve, the pipes in your home will have low water pressure. This is another reason why a water heater will affect water pressure in your home. 

Why do I lose water pressure when I turn on hot water? 

Let’s take a look at why you lose water pressure when you turn on hot water. Here are some of the most prominent reasons behind this issue: 

Mineral deposits and hard water scale: 

If you have hard water running through the pipes in your home, there will likely be scale and mineral deposits in those pipes. This is why you may lose water pressure when you turn on hot water. 

The build up may take excessive turns and will cause low water pressure, restricting water flow. 

Excessive turns in the plumbing lines: 

Another common reason behind this issue is excessive turns in the plumbing lines. If the plumbing lines have too many bends and turns, the hot water will have to travel a long distance. In such a case, the water pressure may be restricted. 

While traveling this distance, each time the water takes a turn, it will lose some water pressure. 

The valves are not fully open: 

The water heaters have valves of their own. If the shut off valve is not fully open, that is, if it is partially closed, then you will have low water pressure when you turn on hot water. 

Make sure that the shut off valves are fully open in order to have decent water pressure. 

Once you have checked the shut off valve of the water heater, make sure to check the shut off valve of the main house as well. If it is partially closed, you will experience low water pressure as well. 

Final Thoughts 

You will need to consider several factors that contribute to decent water pressure. Make sure to check the water valves in your home and keep them fully open. In addition, check the water pipes for leaks, clogs, and sediments. These may keep the water pressure low in your home.