Water Outages

WATER OUTAGES

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If you are not getting water:

If your water is totally shut-off, it has most likely been turned off at the meter or the house valve, and you should check to make sure that contractors, repair personnel or landscaper didn't turn it off and forget to turn it back on.  If the valve is open and you are still not receiving water (and it hasn't been shut-off due to non-payment of your water bill), please call us at (714) 538-5815 to report the problem and to find out if there has been a water outage in your area that hasn't yet been posted to this website.

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If you are experiencing low water pressure:

Low water pressure is a phrase often used to describe what is technically a low flow situation, where one or more fixtures in a home do not provide adequate water flow. There is a relation between pressure and flow, but it is possible to have adequate water pressure but still have low flow out of one or more fixtures. For this section, we will use “Low Water Pressure” for both low water flow and low pressure, as they both have the same effect: not enough water being supplied to the fixture.

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Single Fixture Low Water Pressure

If the low pressure conditions exist only at one or just a few fixtures, we have specific recommendations that may help. For all faucets check to see if your faucet supply valve (located under the sink) is open and that the supply line is not kinked or crushed. If it is, make sure you shut the valve (turn it to the right) and take the tubing with you so that you get the correctly sized replacement. You may also want to check and make sure that your faucet aerator is not clogged - these can be checked and cleaned by screwing them off and rinsing them out. Before replacing the aerator, run cold and hot water through the faucet for two minutes each to clear any sand or mineral debris that may have collected in the fixture.

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For showers, remove the shower head by unthreading it from thepipe. It will turn to the left (counter-clockwise) to unthread. Use a cloth over the shower head to protect it from tool marks. With the shower head off, try the water to see if there is adequate flow. If there is not, the problem is likely to be a defective tub spout diverter (if equipped) or a worn or defective mixing valve.

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If the water seems adequate with the shower head off, look inside the threaded port. Shower heads may also have a filter screen or flow restrictor in them that can be seen just inside. The screen will trap sand, mineral buildup and other debris. Rinse the filter screen off, and if it comes clean easily, then inspect the nozzles on the outside. If the holes seem clogged with white mineral scale, you can sometimes disassemble the shower head to gain access to the nozzles. You may be able to dislodge the mineral build up by gently poking with a safety pin. Mineral scale can also be dissolved by soaking the shower head in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water, or using a commercial descaling chemical such as CLR or Lime-Away (note that some plastic showerheads may be marred by strong descaling chemicals, so test the chemical in an inconspicuous place first

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Whole House Low Water Pressure

If every fixture in the house has low water pressure, the cause may be corroded piping, a restriction of the line due to a failed pressure relief valve (PRV) or backflow preventer, low municipal water flow or a partially closed valve.  You may wish to consult a plumber if you are not easily able to diagnose and solve this problem (by opening a closed valve).