Lost water pressure in our house after turning off the main valve and turning it back on?
Question:We turned off the water to look at a leaky faucet and when we turned the water back on, we can't get full pressure. The handle turns, but dosen't seem to be turning anything inside. We can turn the water back off, and get it somewhat back on but not to where it should be. Any thoughts on what the problem may be/cost? The house is 20 years old and the outside faucets are all a bit rusted.
Answers:
Many times, when a main shut-off valve is used for the 1st time in a long time, when it's turned back "on" debris (mineral deposits, calcium, etc.) get into the existing water lines and cause a restriction. You probably have an old fashioned "gate" type shut off valve, and it's possible that the gate isn't opening fully. I'd suggest that you have the water turned off at the street, then replace the old gate valve with a new brass ball-valve shut-off (use only a brass ball-valve sized to the existing main line). Any good plumbing supply house or Home Improvement store will carry brass ball valves. Also, you may want to check your washing machine cold water inlet - there is usually a filter screen in the washing machine, see if there is a large amount of particles clogging the line at the screen. This would be an indication that you have the calcium deposits that were "let loose" when you turned the water back on. The only alternative for this is to "bleed" each cold water line.
The main valve could be broken but you would need to have the water turned off at the street to check it out. The washer could have come loose and is blocking the flow. See if there is a turn off valve at the meter. If so then just replace the main valve.
maybe there is air in the pipes? just guessing?
I'm guessing you used the cut-off valve near your house and not the main cutoff at the meter. The valve is probably broken and needs to be replaced. This time, you can cut off the water at the meter.
In the future, if you can use the cutoff at the meter, then if it breaks, generally your water utility will come out and replace it for no cost.
It is stripped out needs to be changed.
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