Intermittent Pressure Loss Events

This hub covers intermittent water pressure loss—when water briefly cuts out, flickers, or drops for seconds and then returns. These events can feel random, happen once per day, or show up during showers or heavier water use.

Intermittent loss can also be triggered by irrigation starting, storms, freeze-thaw cycles, or devices that react to pressure changes (like PRVs or smart shutoffs).

Use the groups below to match the trigger you’ve noticed and open the closest article title.

Water Pressure Behavior & Regulation

Random cutouts and brief dropouts

Short, unpredictable interruptions that return on their own; these entries focus on troubleshooting and observation steps.

• Pressure cuts out randomly

  Describes common causes for unpredictable cutouts and basic checks to help narrow whether the issue is on the property or with the supply.

• Water stops briefly then returns

  Looks at transient interruptions lasting seconds and suggests logging occurrences, checking air in lines, and simple valve checks.

• Intermittent pressure loss with no pattern

  Outlines diagnostic steps when there is no clear pattern, including when to involve the utility or schedule a plumber for testing.

• Pressure drops for seconds at a time

  Examines momentary drops and how demand spikes, regulator chatter, or brief obstructions can cause short-duration low pressure.

• Pressure failure only once per day

  Suggests looking for scheduled events—irrigation, municipal flushing, or temperature cycles—that could explain a daily recurrence.

Heavy use and shower flickers

Issues that appear under higher demand or while showering, pointing to supply limits or fixture-specific problems.

• Pressure cuts out during heavy use

  Focuses on low pressure when multiple fixtures run, including how to check for sizing, leaks, or shared-supply constraints.

• Pressure flickers during showers

  Covers causes of shower-specific flicker such as cartridge issues, temperature-pressure balancing, and tankless heater cycling.

Irrigation and curb-stop related triggers

Intermittent loss tied to irrigation systems or recent work at the curb stop or meter.

• Pressure loss when irrigation starts

  Explains how irrigation zones can draw supply down and how backflow devices, valves, or pressure-reducing equipment interact with system demand.

• Pressure failure after curb stop work

  Notes common post-work issues like trapped air, debris in the line, or partially closed valves and what steps to take with the utility or contractor.

After outages, storms, or freeze-thaw cycles

Intermittent loss occurring after weather events or outages, often related to air, debris, or damaged mains.

• Intermittent pressure after outages

  Describes post-outage symptoms such as air pockets, flushing needs, and when to wait versus report persistent problems.

• Pressure drops only during storms

  Looks at how storms can affect supply—including broken mains or temporary demand increases—and what to expect from restoration efforts.

• Pressure loss after freeze-thaw cycles

  Explains how freeze-thaw damage and shifting soils can cause intermittent leaks or restrictions that show up as brief pressure loss.

Device cycling or sensitivity

Events tied to pressure-sensing devices, regulators, sediment, or valve movement that can cause brief interruptions.

• Pressure cuts when PRV cycles

  Discusses how a pressure-reducing valve that is worn or improperly adjusted can cycle and briefly interrupt flow.

• Pressure failure after smart shutoff alerts

  Covers situations where smart shutoff devices or leak sensors close flow or glitch, and how to check logs and device settings.

• Pressure intermittent after sediment events

  Describes how sediment can clog strainers, screens, or valve seats and lead to temporary pressure loss until flushed or cleaned.

• Pressure loss when main valve touched

  Notes how moving the main shutoff can dislodge debris or change valve seating and cause intermittent outages that may require re-seating or flushing.

All Articles in This Cluster

• Pressure cuts out randomly
• Water stops briefly then returns
• Intermittent pressure loss with no pattern
• Pressure drops for seconds at a time
• Pressure failure only once per day
• Pressure cuts out during heavy use
• Pressure flickers during showers
• Pressure loss when irrigation starts
• Pressure failure after curb stop work
• Intermittent pressure after outages
• Pressure drops only during storms
• Pressure loss after freeze-thaw cycles
• Pressure cuts when PRV cycles
• Pressure failure after smart shutoff alerts
• Pressure intermittent after sediment events
• Pressure loss when main valve touched