This hub covers whole-house water interruptions and major pressure loss—no water at any fixture, intermittent supply, and cases where water returns but pressure stays low.
It also includes symptoms that help narrow down whether the issue is city-side, valve-related, or something triggered by a repair or new appliance.
Use the groups below to match what’s happening and open the article that fits best.
Related sub-category: Water Entry, Shutoffs & Flow Control Systems
Sudden or near-total loss of water
When the whole house goes dry or pressure drops to almost nothing, start with basic supply checks before assuming complex failures.
- No water at any fixture suddenly
Quick checks for complete loss of water, including main shutoff position, meter reading, and whether neighbors are affected.
- Entire house lost pressure overnight
Common causes and initial troubleshooting steps when pressure falls while the house is not in use, including regulator and service-line issues.
- House water supply fades slowly then stops
How to distinguish gradual service failure from internal valve restrictions or leaks that reduce flow over time.
- Sudden loss of pressure during showers
Possible causes focused on demand-related drops, mixing valves, or local supply interruptions affecting fixtures under load.
After repairs or installations
Supply problems that start right after plumbing work or a new appliance often trace to valves, debris, or incorrect reconnections.
- Water stops working after plumbing repair
Checks for closed isolation valves, trapped air, or debris introduced during repair that can block flow.
- Loss of pressure after new appliance install
How appliance connections and shutoffs can restrict house pressure and what to inspect first.
- Whole house supply shutoff accidentally triggered
Steps to find and safely reopen a main or service shutoff that may have been moved or closed during work.
Intermittent supply and pressure collapses
Water comes and goes, or pressure slowly builds then drops again—these patterns point to cycling equipment, blockages, or supply instability.
- Whole house water intermittent
Signs to look for and simple tests to separate utility-side interruptions from problems inside the service line or home.
- Intermittent whole-house pressure drops
Common mechanical causes, such as failing regulators or pumps, and how to observe the timing of drops.
- Pressure slowly builds then collapses
What a slow rise and sudden fall in pressure usually indicates and where to check for partial blockages or cycling devices.
- Water returns but pressure is low
How to troubleshoot low-pressure restoration: aerators, pressure regulator, meter, and partial closures are common culprits.
Side-specific or zone-specific loss
When only hot or cold lines, or just one level of the house, are affected, focus on localized valves, the water heater, and zone controls.
- Water off only on cold or hot side
Distinguishing whether the problem is in the water heater, a single supply branch, or a valve feeding one side.
- Water outage only affects upstairs
Checks for isolated shutoffs, pressure-loss with elevation, and devices that can isolate upper-level supply.
- Water works only when multiple taps open
Why opening several fixtures can temporarily restore flow and what that pattern says about obstructions or regulators.
- Water only flows when main valve partially open
Signs of a damaged or obstructed main valve and precautions for dealing with valves that only work in a partial position.
After an outage: air and fixtures not working
Restored supply can bring air, sediment, or stuck fixtures; these issues often require systematic purging and local checks.
- Air in all lines after outage
How to purge air safely from the system and which fixtures to run first to clear trapped pockets.
- Water restored but fixtures won’t work
Troubleshooting stuck cartridges, blocked aerators, or isolation valves that remained closed after service restoration.
City vs house clues
Simple checks and observations help determine whether the outage is on the municipal side or within your service and plumbing.
- Water supply lost after neighbor repair
Why nearby work often points to utility-side disruptions and what to confirm before calling a plumber.
- How to tell if outage is city or house
Practical steps—check neighbors, the meter, and your main valve—to localize the source of an outage.
- House lost water but meter shows flow
Interpreting a spinning meter during a perceived outage and how that can indicate interior leaks or closed downstream valves.
All Articles in This Cluster
- No water at any fixture suddenly
- Entire house lost pressure overnight
- House water supply fades slowly then stops
- Sudden loss of pressure during showers
- Water stops working after plumbing repair
- Loss of pressure after new appliance install
- Whole house supply shutoff accidentally triggered
- Whole house water intermittent
- Intermittent whole-house pressure drops
- Pressure slowly builds then collapses
- Water returns but pressure is low
- Water off only on cold or hot side
- Water outage only affects upstairs
- Water works only when multiple taps open
- Water only flows when main valve partially open
- Air in all lines after outage
- Water restored but fixtures won’t work
- Water supply lost after neighbor repair
- How to tell if outage is city or house
- House lost water but meter shows flow