It’s common for a home’s water supply to get disrupted when the washer is in use. If you’ve ever experienced this problem, you’re probably wondering why it happens and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
Your house water might stop working when the washer is in use because it overloads the water system. It can cause the water pressure and temperature to drop, and sometimes the water will stop flowing altogether. A leaking water pipe could also cause water to stop working in your house.
In this article, I’ll look at some of the most common causes of water disruptions when using a washer. I’ll also provide some tips on how to avoid this problem in the future.
Five Reasons Your Washer Shuts Off Your Home’s Water When in Use
If you have ever run your washer while also trying to shower, you may have noticed that your water pressure suddenly decreases.
This sudden reduction in water pressure is because your washer is using up a lot of water, and your house’s water system cannot supply enough water to both the washer and the shower simultaneously.
While this may not seem a big deal, it can signify a more serious problem.
Here are six possible reasons why your home’s water stops working when the washing machine is in use:
1. The Washer Is Overloading the Water System in Your House
An overloaded water system may be the main culprit if you’ve ever experienced a water shortage while using the washer.
The most likely reason is that your washer uses more water than your home can provide.
The high usage can be due to a high water pressure setting on your washer.
You can try using a lower pressure setting on your washer to see if that solves the issue.
Additionally, check other appliances that use a lot of water.
For example, try running your shower and kitchen tap simultaneously.
If you still experience a drop in water pressure, the problem may lie in your home’s water system, not the washer itself.
If you think your washer might be the cause of your water reduction, the best thing to do is to contact a professional and have him come out to look.
In the meantime, you should try to use your washer less often.
2. Your House Water Pipes Are Leaking
Leaking water pipes may cause your water to stop when you run the washer.
It’s one of the most common reasons for water not working.
A leakage in your main water line can cause water to stop flowing completely, which might become worse with high-performance appliances like washers.
If your water periodically drops in pressure or stops working, check your pipes for leaks.
If you suspect that your water has stopped working due to leaking water pipes, then you should call a professional plumber to come and take a look.
They can quickly assess the situation and make the necessary repairs.
3. Your Municipality Has Instituted Water Restrictions
The municipality instituting water restrictions may be why water is not working in your home.
Authorities often restrict water usage during periods of drought.
The restrictions are designed to reduce water usage and prevent the depletion of water resources.
If you run your washing machine while there are water restrictions or shortages in effect, your shower or other fixtures may have very little to no water.
Washing machines use a lot of water, leaving very little for other uses if the water supply is limited.
4. The Water Pressure in Your House Is Low
Low water pressure can cause water to stop working in your house when using a washer.
If the pressure has always been low since you moved in, you may live in a low-pressure area.
However, if this is a recent development, you might have a build-up of dirt in your water pipes.
Thankfully, there are some easy ways to fix this problem.
First, you should buy a pressure regulator to speed up the water flow.
If your water pipes are clogged, you might be able to fix the problem by clearing them out.
5. The Shut-Off Valve Could Be Faulty
The shut-off valve controls the flow of water to a fixture or appliance.
If the shut-off valve is not working correctly, it can cause the water to stop flowing altogether.
There are a few different reasons why a shut-off valve may not work.
The most common reason is that the water pressure isn’t enough for the valve to open and close properly.
The low water pressure might result from a clogged or frozen pipe.
Another reason could be that the valve is not properly aligned.
If the valve is not aligned, it cannot open and close properly.
If you’re having problems with your water shut-off valve, it is important to have a professional plumber look at it.
They will be able to determine the cause of the problem and fix it.
Which Home Appliance Uses the Most Water?
It’s important to be conscious of your overall water usage, but did you know that some appliances use more water than others?
If you’re interested in saving and improving water pressure at your home fixtures, you should know which home appliances use the most water:
- Toilets are one of the biggest offenders regarding water usage, accounting for 24% of all indoor water usage.
- Showers account for 20% of indoor water usage.
- Faucets are responsible for 19% of indoor water usage
- Washing machines account for 17%.
- The remaining 9% is attributed to miscellaneous uses, such as water for cooking or cleaning.
If you notice your water stopping when two or more of the above-mentioned appliances run simultaneously, you should check your water system.
The water might have stopped working because the system couldn’t supply enough water for both.
However, if the water only stops when you use the washer, there may be an issue with the pipes supplying water to that area of the house or an issue with the washer itself.
Conclusion
If the water supply in your home has dropped significantly or has stopped working entirely while the washer is in operation, it is most likely due to a leak in the main water line.
Low water pressure is another common cause of water not functioning when using the washer; however, you can remedy this by adding pressure regulators to boost the water pressure.
Cheers, tools owners!