When the water in our faucets stops running, it can disrupt our days. Faucets are a lifeline in our kitchens, and when the water isn’t coming out of the faucet, there can be a number of reasons involved.
This guide will help you understand some of the reasons the water has stopped coming from your faucet and what you can do yourself about it.
Page Contents (Click Icon To Open/Close)
Where Does Faucet Water Come From?
Our water comes from a few places: ground or well water, and from surface water.
Well water is found on large private land; if you own a farm, it will be located on your property. Ground water is used publicly. It’s accessed by drilling through the ground to get to an aquifer, which is a body of water settled on a rock deep underground.
Surface water is from lakes, rivers, and streams, by an intake. All water that is accessed must be analyzed and treated before it’s pumped into our homes.
Why the Water Stops? Possible Reasons
Low Water Pressure
Water pressure is a measure of force that’s pushing the water in your home. Low pressure can be caused by a few things; check your pressure regulator; this could be malfunctioning. Check the shutoff valve in your home, which is located where the water enters your home. If it's not open properly, this can cause low pressure.
A Clogged Tap Connection
If your tap connection is older or corroded, then this can cause a sedimental buildup, blocking the connection. Most of the time, it will need replacing, but you can clear out the debris yourself.
Poor or Aged Materials
If the pipes or connections in your home are older, they can cause issues such as low pressure or become corroded. But the connections could also be wrong or improperly fixed, which will need to be replaced or revised.
Corroded or Clogged Pipes
If you’re in an area with hard water, your pipes can become clogged with mineral residue and would need cleaning out. Corrosion is the rusting of your pipes and can lead to worse problems such as bursting your pipe.
Faucet Malfunctions
If your faucet is older, it will have one circular chamber for collecting dirt. Newer faucets have several chambers to collect, and all need cleaning out. Check your faucet connections, such as the shutoff valves on the hoses, or if there are any issues with the connections. An older faucet may need replacing altogether.
How to Check Plumbing Problems: Water Not Coming Out Of Faucet
Check Other Taps/Faucets
Try testing your faucets in other rooms, such as a bathroom. If they’re running as normal, then your faucet may be clogged, or it could have become dislodged. You may have to clean the hose out or replace it altogether.
Check Cold/Hot Water
If your hot water isn't running but your cold is okay, the problem may be with the water heater. There could be a sediment buildup in the heater, or there may be a leak. It could also simply be unplugged. Flush your heater and allow it to run. If that doesn't work, contact a plumber to look at it for you.
Check Water Main
If there’s no water from any of your faucets, check to see if the water main is open. If it’s not, make sure to open it all the way and then check your faucet again. This should solve the issue if it was closed.
Check for Leaks/Rust
If a pipe is leaking or punctured, this takes away the water pressure. Rust can also chip away at the pipes. Follow the pipes in your home and look for any dents or leaks, and contact a plumber to resolve this if you find any.
Check for Frozen Pipes
If a pipe is frozen, this will stop any water from your faucet. To thaw it out, locate the frozen pipe and open your hot and cold faucet handles. You can use a hairdryer, hot towels, or a space heater to defrost, but don't use an open flame as you risk a fire.
Check for Clogs/Blockages
Over time, your pipes can become blocked with lime and metal buildups and can partially or completely restrict the water flow. If this happens, you will need to call a plumber to check your pipes and clean them out for you.
Replace Tap washer
Sometimes a tap can become blocked, which stops the water flow, and you may have to replace it. To do this, isolate the water mains supply, and remove the old tap from under the valve. Call a plumber if you don't know how to replace a tap washer.
Contact Water Supply Company/Neighbors
Check with your neighbors to see if they have any water. It could be that your water company has switched off your supply. Call the supply company to find out if it has been switched off.
What to Do When Water Not Coming Out of Faucet?
If you have a Moen, Kohler, or Delta faucet, then there are several tips available to you on what to do.
People also Ask (FAQs)
How do you get rid of an air lock in cold water pipes? Will it clear itself?
Attach one end of a hosepipe to the faulty faucet and the other to a working faucet and run the water through. This should clear out the airlock in the pipes.
How do you loosen a seized tap?
The best method is by using penetrating oil, a special type of grease. Spray the seized tap with the grease and tap the handle gently with a hammer. If this doesn’t work, try warming the pipe with a hairdryer.
Why do I suddenly have no water pressure?
There are two reasons; if it's specific to a room, then it's most likely that faucet. If it's your whole house, it may be a burst water main or the pressure regulator in your home.
Why is my water coming out slow?
Check the shutoff valve is open fully. It could also be low water pressure, a clog, or a leak in your pipes. Read the sections above for what to do.
Conclusion
Frustrating as it may be, sometimes our faucets experience issues. But don't panic! Many issues can be easily remedied without calling a plumber out. But if you're not sure, then it never hurts to get professional advice.
Ian Haynes is an expert writer who has successfully deployed over 500 plumbing pages and other related content. He has an excellent understanding of home plumbing issues and translates his experiences via Plumbing Lab so readers can have a better understanding of common household problems. Outside of his work, Ian likes exploring Brooklyn with his Labrador.