Generally, you have two main shut-off valves that control your home's water flow, one at the meter and the other inside your home. If any of these valves are entirely or partially turned off, it will reduce your water pressure.
One of the most common issues that can lead to low water pressure problems is that the water is being obstructed by one or more partially closed shutoff valves. Typically, a home will have one main shutoff valve located inside the house. It can usually be found close to where the main water supply pipe enters the home.
While frequently turning on and off the water can cause too much pressure to be put on the water pipes, turning it off doesn't harm the system.
Two main shut-off valves control the water flow in your home — one on or in your home and one at the meter. If one of these valves is partially or fully turned off for some reason, it can cause your water pressure to decrease considerably.
To return to full pressure only takes seconds. Flushing and recirculating takes minutes if you open all the taps, with the exception of tank water heaters.
4. After all faucets are open, let the COLD WATER run for at least 30 minutes. During this time, also flush each toilet in your home 2 or 3 times.
Open your main water valve.
Your house has a main water valve, usually located near the meter; the valve controls the flow of water into your home's pipes. Find the valve and check to see if it's completely open. Opening a half-shut valve is one of the quickest ways for increasing home water pressure.
Your Home's Main Water Shut Off
Sometimes it can be found along a wall in your garage, or even under your kitchen sink. When turned off, it shuts down all water flowing into your home. As you can imagine, when a pipe bursts, knowing how to turn off that water flow becomes invaluable knowledge.
How to Shut Off Main Water Valve. Before you head out of town for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to shut off the water main, i.e. the line to your house. That's just about the surest way there is to prevent water damage while you're away.
A water shut-off is a primary control that turns off the water supply to your bathroom and kitchen plumbing. For example, it prevents flooding when you are planning to repair a fixture such as a faucet or toilet or when you are faced with a plumbing emergency, like a leak from a water heater or supply line.
Don't leave home without turning off the water
But disasters can and do happen – and when you're away you can't do anything about minimizing the damage. So, do yourself a favour. Remember to shut off the main water supply to your home any time you're planning to be away for more than 24 hours.
How Long Can You Turn Off Water to a Toilet? Like turning off your toilet's water for a night, it's safe to do so for a week. While you can keep your toilet water off for as long as you'd like, we wouldn't recommend it unless you have a problem with your toilet's plumbing system.
While many water heaters will be fine for a while without a water supply, reduced water pressure or a low water level inside the tank could cause the heater's components to overheat and burn.
To fix the problem, you'll need to replace the pipes. Another common cause of poor functional flow is unprofessional water piping systems. Good plumbers know how to size the pipes correctly so that adequate water flows to each fixture.
The city could be flushing hydrants.
In any of these cases, the pressure loss will be temporary. But when the water does come back online, it will definitely kick up sediment, which can clog supply valves and faucet aerators. Be prepared to flush them if the pressure seems low when the water comes back on.
Shut-Off Valve Operation and Configuration
Multi-turn shut-off valves have a handle that, when tightened, forces a rubber gasket onto a seat in the middle of the valve that restricts water. Loosening the multi-turn handle allows water to flow through the valve.
Once all your faucets are turned on, including the outside spigots, turn the water valve all the way on. Let the water run through all of your faucets for 10-15 minutes to make sure you are seeing a steady stream of water, or aren't hearing any noises coming from your piping anymore.
How long will a Water Pressure Reducing Valve last? The life expectancy of a water pressure regulator is most commonly in the range of 10 to 15 years. However, you may see a regulator malfunction at three years and one still properly functioning at 20 years old if regularly maintained.
Tub and sink faucets (hot & cold) should be opened on the highest level to relieve pressure and to ensure a full shut-down.
One should normally open all faucets then turn on the main. This will allow any trapped air to be purged from the system and eliminate any 'banging'.
Turning the valve clockwise will close it, reducing the amount of water passing through. It may take a few minutes for the water to stop altogether.
Leaking/blocked water supply pipe. Shut-off valve partially closed. Faulty pressure reducing valve (PRV valve) There's an issue with the municipal water supply system.
Clogged water pipes are one of the most common causes of low water pressure. These clogs usually build-up when your home is supplied water via iron pipes. Iron is particularly vulnerable to rusting which can then break off and cause an obstruction within your system.
Adjust the Pressure-Reducing Valve
Protruding from the top of the valve is a threaded bolt. To raise pressure, loosen the bolt's locking nut, then turn the bolt clockwise. Use the pressure gauge to determine when you reach a water pressure around 50 PSI. Then, tighten the locknut to secure the valve.