Questions and answers to help diagnose & fix intermittent or periodic loss of water pressure:

Here is our second set of FAQs on finding & fixing the cause of unexplained, oftren sudden but temporary drops in water pressure or intermittent but complete loss of water pressure.

This article series explains how to diagnose periodic or intermittent loss of water pressure either from municipal water supply piping or periodic or intermittent loss of water pressure from a private well. The process of diagnosis and the procedure for repair are explained.

Intermittent Bad Water Pressure Diagnostic FAQs

These questions and answers about why water pressure (water flow rate) seems to come and go in a building or in parts of a building were posted originally at WATER PRESSURE INTERMITTENT LOSS - home - be sure to see the diagnosis and repair advice in that article.

MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS

WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS

On 2017-02-24 by (mod) - Are the well pump controls turning on the pump properly?

 A pressure switch senses pressure drop in the water tank and either turns on the well pump directly or it turns on a heavy duty relay that turns on the well pump.

The detailed, step by step procedure for inspecting and adjusting the water pressure control switch is discussed in detail

at WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS

A pressure switch senses pressure drop in the water tank and either turns on the well pump directly or it turns on a heavy duty relay that turns on the well pump.

The detailed, step by step procedure for inspecting and adjusting the water pressure control switch is discussed in detail

at WATER PRESSURE REGULATOR ADJUSTMENT

On 2017-02-24 by Anonymous - Our water cuts off while showering

Our water cuts off while showering, doing dishes, or laundry. It may trickle a tiny bit. Then after a few minutes, it's back on full blast. What causes this?

On 2017-02-12 by (mod) - a bad shutoff valve should not cause periodic loss of water pressure

Colleen

Replacing a shutoff valve, even if improperly or poorly-soldered would not explain intermittent loss of water pressure (though you do want to re-make any poor, leaky, or over-blobbed and blocking solder joints.

Nor would those repairs explain a water heater tank leak. IT sounds as if the home has other old plumbing and equipment that may need further repairs, and that your pipes may be clogged or the pump and well cannot deliver a good flow rate.

Use our on-page search box to search InspectApedia for WELL FLOW RATE to read details, then search for WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENT to see how to diagnose and repair that problem.

On 2017-02-12 by Colleen

My partner is redoing the bathroom. He replaced the old bathroom shutoff valves with new ones and did some re routing of pipe cause we are going from a tub/shower to a walk in shower with a rain head. he had problems getting the solder to stick. it was fine but now it is weeping again.

Our problem is that the pressure is good if only one thing is running i.e. the kitchen facet, but if we flush the toilet or run the washing machine the pressure drops and comes back. Also noticed the hot water tank is leaking and the weather has been cold with lots of snow. No plumbing was touched at the hot water tank side of the house. It is a old small ranch style on a cinder block foundation.

On 2017-01-24 15:56:42.599381 by Greg

Intermittent water flow in bathroom

On 2017-01-23 14:27:25.215199 by (mod) -

Perhaps your well pressure switch is debris clogged and doesn't turn on the pump when pressure drops very slowly - as perhaps occurs if there are running toilets or a slow leak or a leaky foot valve.

On 2017-01-23 09:38:33.574016 by Jen

We live on a private well. The piping is old. In the middle of the night we often lose water pressure. Toilets don't refill fully and water dribbles from faucets. Happens throughout home and only in the middle of the night from about 1-4am.
Also, in our upstairs bathroom the tub fills with yellow water. Other faucets have been checked and water is clear.
Thanks!!!

On 2016-12-03 00:57:01.369464 by Frank

My kitchen sink loses water pressure every now and then, but it's only the kitchen sink other sinks work fine what can be the problem?

On 2016-10-15 12:35:07.867598 by Anonymous

I'm having the same problem as tim. Some insight on this would be greatly appreciated

On 2016-10-05 10:37:31.461895 by Jermaine

Hey I have pressure in the bathtub but when I pull the switch for the shower I lose pressure

On 2016-10-02 18:38:32.767217 by Tim

Been losing water pressure intermittently. Im on a well with at 30/50 switch. Verified presures. Tank 2 psi below switch. Watched pump cycle. Wnt up to high ok.. opened multiple valves. Pump kicked on correctly then within 30 seconds dropped to zero. No movement vor several minutes then slow to climb back up to mid 30's. Suspect will continue toclimb with more time? Any thoughtsor is it time to call a professional?

On 2016-09-24 16:33:36.586741 by Rob

I have no pressure off and on every couple of days at various times. NOT on well water. On City water. What would it be?

On 2016-09-07 03:17:26.867627 by Anonymous

I am also on city water

On 2016-09-07 03:15:38.740351 by Anonymous

I have a water pressure gauge hooked outside where my water enters my home. When i turn on my bath water it drops to almost zero.

On 2016-08-30 13:50:56.864528 by (mod) -

Chad: I'd ask for specifics rather than permit finger pointing. Iron can clog a pressure sensor switch and keep it from responding to drop in water pressure in a home; but low water in the well combined with periods of high usage can exhaust the well.

Watch what's happening at the pressure gauge and switch.

On 2016-08-30 13:49:49.235597 by (mod) -

Neil it sounds as if the pump ran dry and was damaged - in turn that tells us that the well may have limited flow rate capacity.

On 2016-08-29 22:42:30.208713 by Chad

We have low to no water pressure at the 40 psi range. When it builds back up it seems fine. I have had our well guy out here and our iron curtain guy here. They both say it's the others problem.

On 2016-08-25 12:17:24.236811 by Neil

Hello, I have a problem. I recently changed a bad water pump. Its a deep well water pump about 100' down. The reason the pump went bad in the first place is because the water softener overflow was stuck open and the water ran for about a week before I realized it. After I changed the pump everything was working well until a few days later.

I woke up in the morning to take a shower, and there was no water. Went down stairs and reset the pressure switch. Worked well for about another 2 days. Same thing again woke up, no water. Went and reset the switch. Now this has happened a few times over the course of a week. Seems like almost every other day it trips itself and needs re set. Any information is greatly appreciated

On 2016-07-25 14:37:38.435468 by (mod) -

I'm not sure what "reprise the well" means - please help me out with explaining that term.

Losing water pressure after lost electrical power suggests a leaky check valve or foot valve. Replacing a pressure switch wont' help those causes.

Water gushing out of the well? At the well cap or at well piping?

I'm confused in Minneapolis.

On 2016-07-24 23:23:47.482139 by Anonymous

I have intermittent water pressure loss where I have no water in the house and no pressure at the pump, or I have pressure at the pump and water comes shooting out of the well when I loosen the gasket. I had a well guy come out and simply reprise the well. It worked fine until my electric was shut off.

He then replaced the pressure switch and reprimed the well. It worked fine until I lost power again. He then came back and said I needed a gasket, some tall PVC looking contraption. He said all was well. I was gone for about four days. When I got home, no water. The well had prime as when I loosened the gasket cap. The water came gushing out of the well. Now he says I need a " well pack" ..... (reserve the well). It is a deeper well for south Florida ..... 125 ft deep .... Deep well jet .... PLEASE HELP!

On 2016-07-10 15:43:10.139167 by (mod) -

Mary

From your brief e-text I can't diagnose this problem,

If the pump can't reach cut-off pressure then I suspect a damaged pump or low voltage, but there are other things to check.

If you search inspectApedia.com for NO WATER PRESSURE you'll see a sequence of diagnostic steps that can usually sort out this problem.

On 2016-07-08 17:41:51.194740 by Mary j

We have a cl520 and it losses pressure the tank has water....psi changes there are.no leaks and no water with pressure reaching our house. We have been bathing with the smallest water drip please help!!!!

On 2016-07-05 16:40:22.586012 by (mod) -

Check for a debris-clogged or defective pressure control switch.

On 2016-07-05 01:05:17.525892 by Gary J

In the past few months I have had variable water pressure. The water flow seems to oscillate at times and can be seen or heard in the sink or shower say. Sometimes it slows to just a trickle for maybe 5 to 30 seconds and then seems to restore to normal pressure.

This may happen 10 times in a day or once every few days. The pressure switch is only a year old. The pump is submersible and is ~ 8 to 10 years old. All of my well equipment is in a well pit about 100' from the house and gets to the house via 1" flexable plastic pipe. I'm sure the well is not running dry. During a drought here about 3 years ago my pond dried up completely but the well never missed a beat.

On 2016-06-22 01:56:44.848263 by (mod) -

IF your water is high in minerals there could be scale clogging anywhere in the system, from the water heater-onwards. Pressure checks won't address clogging: pressure can be high but pushing high pressure water through a small remaining opening still gives lousy flow at the faucet.

If hot flow is poor everywhere I'd start poking into piping and elbows from the water heater onwards.

On 2016-06-22 01:00:32.691698 by Bob Corliss

I have a 3.5 Jet pump, has Lways worked super. This year, after priming etc I have fantastic cold water pressure but very low hot water pressure. I have checked the hot line everywhere, no leaks. Both lines come off the same T. Cold strait ahead, hot at fight angle.

Have removed and checked all facet valvel, blown out pipes with air but still have low pressure at connection to water heater. Can not figure this out. Checked tank pressure with bike gage to be at 20 psi. Pipe from T to water heater is only 3 feet long. This makes no sense. Water heater heats like a champ. Please help...I think the problem is simple but I cannot break the code! Thank you. rprjcorliss@comcast.net

On 2016-06-11 20:59:47.886910 by (mod) -

I'm confused by the situation, too, Angelito. I'd start by calling back the installing plumber to ask that person for help. If water pressure is bad at both hot and cold, however, it'd be odd for the water heater to be at fault.

On 2016-06-11 12:33:39.135508 by angelito ronquillo

iam staying in the third floor of an accomodation my water pressure before is quiet good as normal until our present water heater was replace with new one my water pressure start to losing its pressure interminently

On 2016-06-02 16:47:34.033795 by (mod) -

Mary is you search InspectApedia for NO WATER PRESSURE you'll see a more helpful diagnostic article for your case than the intermittent-water-pressure article above on this page. I suspect your system has a leaky foot valve or check valve.

On 2016-06-02 10:59:19.108133 by Mary

First thing in the morning... No water pressure! I checked the valve and it is very low psi. The tank is empty. I turned the pump off and on and the pump came on and pressure up to 50psi in the tank immediately. Water pressure returned and maintained all day. Something obviously is beginning to be a problem and I want to address it before it doesn't come back at all. Thanks for help!

On 2016-05-31 23:45:15.562312 by Kevin

Water pressure goes up to fifty pounds has good pressure I run the garden hose for a minute them it drops to zero pressure after a couple of minutes pump kicks back on pressure goes up to twenty pounds then back to zero it will keep varying on the pounds but drops back to zero

I replaced the pressure switch and drained my tank and put 28 pounds of air in it I have a 50/30 switch after filling the tank and going thru what I have described I checked pressure in tank and it was down to about twenty pounds any help would be appreciated

On 2016-05-30 22:52:27.428250 by (mod) -

Paul: or your well flow rate is inadequate and the switch is shutting off the pump to protect it from burn-up

On 2016-05-19 14:03:21.366187 by Paul

I am on a private well. My flow and pressure is ok through the faucets. However, when the shower is used,the water flow and pressure will slow and drop to a trickle. If I push the knob down to discharge to the tube, wait 5 seconds and pull the knob back up the pressure and flow returns. After about 30 seconds to a minute I have to repeat the process. Seems the back pressure is causing something?

On 2016-04-29 22:44:49.935239 by larry

i have good water pressure for awhile then the pressure stops and no water comes out at all it will resume in about 5 seconds and continues to do the same over and over there is plenty of water in the well

On 2016-04-19 13:11:59.063410 by (mod) -

Perhaps you were hearing air in the lines, and if you're on a private well, that'd suggest the well was running out of water or that there's a leak in well piping.

On 2016-04-19 09:41:34.224890 by Karen

Last night I heard rumbling in the pipes while tub water was running. This morning the water pressure is low.

On 2016-04-04 18:28:16.387166 by (mod) -

Ed

Draining a bit of water from the bottom of the water heater won't remove air located anywhere higher in the plumbing system. What's curious to me is the change in water flow rate when the airflow stops. I"m stumped. The fact that the problem occurs anywhere in the home does point to a system problem not a fixture problem.

Some opinionators suggest that there is always some air trapped at the top of a water heater; that puzzles me as on a typical water heater water *enters* the heater near its bottom from the drop tube in the heater thorugh which incoming cold is fed;

water exits the heater from the top of the unit: any air there ought to discharge as the heater is filled and used. That is, after installing a new water heater, before ever turning it "on" we open hot water faucets and run them until the airflow (from air in the heater tank) stops. We do this *while* the heater is being filled anew after installation (or after draining).

If the air smells a bit like rotten eggs, it may be H2S gas being formed in the water heater (reaction to the sacrificial anode or sulphur or bacteria in the heater or in the water supply) - in that case no amount of venting will stop formation of new gases and more likely water testing, then treatment would be in order.

I'd also look for an air-leak *into* the water supply system beginning at the street and through all of the valves, controls, and pipe connection into the home.

On 2016-04-04 17:42:49.289445 by Ed

I am on city water. When I turn on the hot water at any location, kitchen sink, bathtub, or lavatory, water starts to flow. After a few seconds, air and water come out and when the air stops coming out with the water, the flow rate is greatly reduced.

I tried hooking a hose to the hot water tank drain faucet at the bottom of the water heater and the pressure held steady. This problem started after a new gas water heater was installed. I can't imagine how to proceed to solve his problem.

On 2016-04-03 by (mod) -

Ron

Please search InspectApedia.com for WATERLOGGED PRESSURE TANK to see the approaches - find the air valve and use a hand pump or a tank of pressureizsed air

On 2016-04-03 by Ron isaacs

How do I recharge a well water storage tank with air?

On 2016-02-12 by (mod) -

Jackie

Search InspectApedia for DIAGNOSE LOW WATER PRESSURE for the steps to follow

On 2016-02-12 by jackie hodgin

my water pressure would drop, replaced water tank and pressure switch and water pump and pressure is still slow

On 2015-12-28 by (mod) -

Dave, if you are on a pump and well system Sounds as if your pressure control switch is sticking - perhaps it's debris clogged.


Else I'd investigate the pressure regulator.

On 2015-12-27 by Dave in Utah

I lose cold water pressure about every 3 minutes for about 15 seconds. So when taking a shower the water becomes almost scalding hot for about 15 seconds then returns to normal. It can be corrected by turning the water temperature down then back up in 15 seconds but that's annoying.

This is just like a what happens when a toilet is flushed but no toilet is being flushed. This happens when no one else is home and nothing is running - no toilets no dishwasher no washing machine. I have a water softener but I switched it to bypass and this still occurs. This happens 100% of the time I shower. It is not isolated to the shower though.

It also happens in the kids shower and the kitchen sink. The only thing I can think of that would be drawing the cold water is the water heater but I don't know if that could be the cause. I do not have a recirculating system or instant water system on my hot water.

I do not have any pressure balancing valves on my showers. The house is 20 years old.

The hot water heater was replaced one year ago - it is possible the problem started then but I can't be sure. My plumber replaced my main water intake valve because overall pressure had also gotten low; that fixed the overall pressure but not this problem.

On 2015-12-17 by Anonymous

Sounds like a waterlogged pressure tank. Search inspectapedia.com for WELL PUMP SHORT CYCLING to read details

On 2015-12-16 by Joey

My well runs and pressure is good, but the water pressure goes up and down every three seconds. It has never done this.

On 2015-12-16 by (mod) -

Steve

I read that your well can't keep up with the flow rate when many fixtures are used at once - MAYBE.

if you run out of water pressure but the pump never tried to help you out then the problem is more likely the pump control than the well itself. But not always:

Case 1: (this you tried to address by changing pump switch but debris may have clogged the new switch or may have clogged the tub\e that brings pressure to the switch)

Look for a debris-clogged pressure control switch or switch mounting tube - the small diameter pipe that conducts water pressure to the switch sensor.

The pressure switch has a diaphragm operated relay that is moved by water pressure. Water pressure enters the diaphragm through a small opening at the bottom of the switch - in the connector to which that small tube connects. That small orifice can easily clog with rust, mud, silt.

Case 2: your usage rate exceeds the water flow rate of the well and the pump would have run dry and been ruined but your pump system may include a pump protection circuit that turns off the pump. When you are manually re-starting the pump you've waited a bit and maybe the well has recovered somewhat.

On 2015-12-1 by Steve

I have a water well that will lose pressure if too many things run at the same time. For example, we can't wash dishes and fill our tube or wash clothes at the same time. The pump will not kick on and it will lose pressure until we go and manually start the pump.

We had a well man look at it and didn't find a problem. We have changed the pressure gauge and the power switch, and checked the plastic line going from the well to the switch for leaks. It was cracked, we cut off the cracked end, but we still lose pressure.

On 2015-11-27 by (mod) -

Nik

The solution may be trivial if the trouble is debris-clogging in faucet strainers and shower heads; unscrew / remove off a faucet strainer and let me know how well the water flows.

On 2015-11-27 by Nikki

I've just moved in to a recently new apartment it's about 3 years old, and it's got a brand new apartment but the water pressure is so bad, when I have a shower the water drizzles out, is this something that can be solved easily?

On 2015-11-24 by Anonymous

Check for debris clogging of the pressure sensing port on the pressure switch.

On 2015-11-24 by Nate

I recently replaced my old well pump, jet Sta-Rite 3/4, with a reman of the same model. I also had to replace my pressure tank same size, 20 gallons. The pressure setting is 30/50. Before replacing the pump and tank my water pressure was fine and constant.

After replacing it my water pressure is noticeably lower and at times interment in pressure, lower than spikes higher. I had to replace a good majority of the piping around the pump and I noticed there was a build of slim inside the old pipes. I cleaned out as much as possible but I know I did not get it all. What could be the cause of this pressure issue and what are any fixes? Any and all help or suggestions are appreciated.

On 2015-10-20 by Joey Edwards

so I have replaced the pressure tank 32 gallon set at 28 psi, Installed a new pressure switch 30/50, cleaned the tube out from magnesium
build up.

Now when the water pressure switch clicks on the pump the pressure gage drops to zero and the water pressure comes back to 30 psi in 5 seconds and then 30 to 45 seconds the pump shuts off at 50 psi.

what could be the problem with the water pressure dump. This was the original problem I tried to fix. Tank had small pin hole, pressure switch and tube plugged with magnesium. Situation unchanged with water pressure drop off then picks back up then shuts off at 50 psi.

On 2015-10-12 by Damian

Can a water filter tank or A/P tank effect water pressure?

On 2015-09-20 by (mod) -

Occams' razor says we choose the simplest explanation first. As you replace several components chances are something was done improperly or one of those components is defective

. Try tapping on the pressure control switch; if that causes the pump to turn on the switch may be defective or debris clogged.

If the pump was run "dry" during the parts repair or replacement you described, indeed that could have damaged the pump. But a damaged pump either refuses to pump water at all, or it pumps only to a low pressure. A bad pump motor that "waits five minutes to give you water" is not a coherent explanation.

On 2015-09-20 by Anonymous

Plumber repaired a leak in the pipe coming from the well. decided to replace the flow regulatory, holding tank, and pressure value. Now when we run say for a shower, no water after 5 minutes. Until the repair, we did not have any problems with the water flow even after multiple water uses like a shower and washing dishes.

Plumber is telling me that it is a pump problem and we need to pull the pump. Again we did not have a problem until he replaced the flow regulator, pressure value and holding tank. Is he correct?

On 2015-09-03 by (mod) -

Laurie

if it's possible to inspect the well at the well head see if you can determine if the water level is dropping below the well's water pickup or foot valve; if so install a tailpiece

On 2015-09-03 by laurie

my well will have pressure if it has not run for a couple of hrs then it drops down in pressure and I noticed when running water for the horses I get air blowing out the hose in between . i

s this from my tank not holding pressure please someone help I don't have any money for a major fix here

On 2015-06-12 by (mod) -

I'm guessing that your water pressure is a bit low or your pipes are long small diameter runs.

But if you are sure that the problem is relatively new and followed plumbing work I'd be looking for a partly-blocked water line where the new work was performed. For example pushing a very large amount of solder into a copper pipe joint can obstruct the line.

On 2015-06-12 by Al A

In reference to previous comment. I'm on a municipal water system - not a well and pump. Thanks.

I often lose complete hot water flow when I turn on the washing machine (cold wash) to all of the other hot water taps in the house. The flow will always return awhile after the wash load is completed, but sometimes, it is necessary to turn on a tap that is farthest away from the hwh to get the hot water flow started again.

This situation started sometime (maybe a week or couple of months -can't remember exactly) after a contractor relocated the washer and added a mop sink in the rear of the house. These 2 hot water taps are the farthest away from the hwh in the home. Any ideas?

On 2015-05-27 by Amy

My water surges. I have a well and pump. It runs and then just stops and then returns flow after about 10 minutes. Any ideas? Happens while showering...can never finish a shower or clothes cycle.

On 2015-05-13 by (mod) -

Ron
At the More Reading index link ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT

or by searching inspectApedia.com for "well pump short cycling" you'll see diagnostic articles for this problem: typically the pressure tank has become waterlogged.

On 2015-04-30 by Ron

My water pressure drops quickly when I turn on any faucet in my house. The pressure switch kicks on like it should but it seems to turn on and off every 30 seconds when water is running. My pressure tank is holding air pressure, and the switch is working properly. What else could be causing the intermittent surging of water pressure?

On 2015-04-26 by (mod) -

Tammy

I'm guessing from your description that silt, mud, or other crud is clogging the tiny pressure sensor port on the water pressure control switch that turns your pump on and off. Sometimes that can be cleaned, else it's easy enough to have the switch replaced.

On 2015-04-26 by Tammy

My water pressure will be great. After 10 minutes the pressure reduces till the water stops completely, and then comes back full bore after 15-20 seconds when my pump kicks on. I know it is a clogged pipe because my husband would clean it out and it would be fine for months. He passed in January and I don't know what he cleaned out.

On 2015-04-20 by (mod) -

JM

If you are closing water into the house and tank pressure falls then there is a failed foot valve, check valve, or a leak in the well piping

On 2015-04-20 by JMD

I cannot understand why the water pressure of our tank is rapidly loosing even when i closed all the faucets. it only builds up back when i close the gate valve. Please help me how to fix this. thanks.

...

Continue reading at WATER PRESSURE INTERMITTENT LOSS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PRESSURE INTERMITTENT LOSS FAQs-3 - more-recent Q&A about irregular intermittent loss of water pressure

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE FALLS BRIEFLY THEN STOPS
• WATER PRESSURE FALLS SLOWLY, ERRATIC PUMP
• WATER PRESSURE INTERMITTENT LOSS
• WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 3: PUMP RUNS, NO WATER or INSUFFICIENT WATER
• WATER PRESSURE STOPS, RETURNS
• WATER PRESSURE VARIATION CAUSES
• WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING
• WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING
• WATER PUMP WON'T STOP RUNNING

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER PRESSURE INTERMITTENT LOSS FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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