Plumbing Problems Causing No Water
Having no water in your house's plumbing, whether it affects a few of your plumbing fixtures or the whole house, may be caused by one of several potential problems. Some problems with the house's plumbing can be fixed by a homeowner on his own, while other problems require the expertise of a plumber. Does this Spark an idea?
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Main Water Shutoff
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The first thing you should check when you have no water in your whole house is the main water shutoff valve. The valve is located wherever the water line from the city or your well enters the house. If the valve is closed, you will have no water until you open it. When you do open the valve, do so slowly, because a sudden rush of water into the pipes will create more problems by picking up sediment in the plumbing and carrying it to the plumbing fixtures in the home.
Sediment
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If one or several plumbing fixtures in the house do not have water, the culprit could be sediment buildup. Sediment in a house's plumbing system may be introduced by the city's water supply after a main water break or from pipe solder joint shavings breaking off into the water, among other sources. The sediment flows through the plumbing until it reaches a plumbing fixture, where the sediment accumulates in any part of the fixture that does not allow the sediment to pass farther. Faucets often have a small screen, called an aerator, on the spout opening to keep sediment from entering drinking water. Once the sediment amount reaches a certain level, the water will no longer be able to flow through the plumbing fixture and out of the faucet.
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Hard Water
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Hard water deposits, like sediment, will cause problems with one or several fixtures at a time, creating a barrier to the flow of water through the fixture. Hard water deposits consist of calcium and magnesium, creating a chalky white buildup that does not come loose easily. Removing hard water deposits requires you to use vinegar or cleaners with acid in them to loosen the deposits, and a scrub brush or other cleaning instrument to completely remove the deposits. Soaking an especially affected fixture in vinegar overnight may be necessary.
Main Line
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The main water line -- the pipe that introduces water from the city's supply or your well into the house -- may be the source of a no-water problem for the whole house. Galvanized water pipes will clog as iron deposits gather inside the pipe, until no water will pass through. Other main-line pipe material may crack or become crushed from heavy equipment passing over the line outside the house. A large rock or stone that travels into the main water line may plug it up, along with smaller debris filling in any gaps. A plumber has the ability to test for problems in the main water line by testing the flow of water at the water meter, and he has the tools and experience to fix or replace the main line.
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