Quick Answer:
If water stopped coming back immediately after a repair (or comes back only at one fixture), start by checking every valve that was touched during the work. Open any closed stops slowly, bleed air from a high faucet, run water through a tub spout to flush the line, and remove one aerator to check for grit. These steps usually restore flow or show where grit or a stuck valve is blocking the line.
Why This Happens
When parts of a plumbing system are shut off for repair, debris, small grit, or trapped air can move and lodge in fittings, screens, or valves. A valve left partly closed will cut flow. A trapped pocket of air can prevent water from reaching higher outlets until it’s bled. If multiple valves were handled, one small oversight can stop water to an entire branch or the whole house.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1) Make a list of every valve touched
- Write down each valve you or the repairer touched during the repair. Common valves: angle stops under sinks and toilets, appliance shutoffs, isolation valves on the fixture, any zone valves, the main house shutoff, and the water meter curb/cock valve.
- Include any temporary hose bib or service valves used during the work.
2) Verify each valve is completely reopened
- Slowly open angle stops (the small shutoff under sinks and behind toilets) all the way counterclockwise. Don’t force a frozen valve.
- Open the home main shutoff fully if it was used. Then open the meter/curb stop if it was closed for the repair.
- For a gate or ball valve, ensure the handle is aligned with the pipe for open; for a round stop, turn fully counterclockwise.
- If a valve feels stiff or leaks when opened, stop and note it — you may need a pro.
3) Crack a high faucet to bleed air
- Open a high faucet (an upstairs bathroom or kitchen faucet) slightly to allow trapped air to escape. Keep it cracked until a steady stream of water flows without sputtering.
4) Flush by running a tub spout
- Open a tub spout or a lower fixture and run water for a minute to help push grit out of the branch lines. This helps flush debris toward drains instead of into aerators or cartridges.
5) Check one aerator for grit
- Unscrew the aerator from a faucet and inspect it for grit or metal shavings. Clean or run the faucet without the aerator to see if flow returns. If the aerator is clogged, clean it and reattach.
6) Narrow down the pattern
- If no water anywhere, re-check the main and meter valve.
- If water only at one fixture, disconnect or isolate that fixture’s supply and inspect its angle stop and aerator.
- If the problem looks like it affects the whole house but started after work, consider the possibility of trapped grit or a partially closed main.
- If the outage is limited to upstairs, compare upstairs shutoffs and bleed high faucets — this can indicate an isolated branch issue or air block. See Water outage only affects upstairs for more on upstairs-only problems.
What Not to Do
- Don’t keep turning random valves ‘to see what happens’—you’ll trap grit and create new failures.
- Don’t force stuck valves; forcing can break them and cause a leak.
- Don’t run the system under high pressure if you see active leaks or damaged fittings; stop and isolate the leak first.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber if any of these apply:
- Flow does not return after verifying all valves, bleeding faucets, flushing tub spouts, and checking an aerator.
- You find a leak when opening valves or a valve is leaking or broken.
- You cannot access the meter, curb stop, or main shutoff safely.
- The problem looks like a large branch or municipal supply issue — for example, if the whole neighborhood has no water or you suspect the meter valve is damaged. If you saw a sudden whole-house loss after work, compare the situation to Entire house lost pressure overnight for similar causes to mention to the plumber.
Safety Notes
- Turn off electrical-powered devices near the repair area if water is leaking onto them.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when removing aerators or working with fittings; grit and scale can spray out.
- If you smell gas or see a major water surge or flooding, evacuate the area and call emergency services or a plumber immediately.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Q: Why did my water stop only after the plumber left?
A: Often a valve was left partly closed or grit was dislodged and trapped in an aerator or cartridge. - Q: Can I clear grit by running all faucets?
A: Yes, but start with high faucets and a tub spout; run until flow is steady to flush debris out safely. - Q: Is a stuck angle stop repairable without replacing the pipe?
A: Many angle stops can be replaced at the fitting; if the fitting or supply line is corroded, a professional should handle it.
For more related articles, see the Whole-House Water Supply Interruption hub.