Honestly, you nailed it with the aerator check—that’s my first move too. People always jump to worst-case scenarios, but gunked-up aerators are sneaky little culprits. On the water shutoff, I learned the hard way as well... let’s just say my socks were not happy. One extra thing: if you ever see rust or black bits in the water, it might be time to flush the lines or check the supply hoses. Manuals and YouTube rabbit holes are basically my weekend plans now.
Funny you mention the black bits—I had that happen last winter, and it freaked me out at first. Turned out, the supply hose to the bathroom sink was starting to break down inside. Replacing it was way cheaper than I expected, but I did spend a good hour worrying about the pipes behind the wall before I figured it out.
I’m always pretty cautious with water stuff since leaks can get expensive fast. I usually turn off the main if I’m messing with anything more complicated than an aerator. Not worth the risk, especially in an older house where you never know what’s lurking behind the drywall.
About flushing lines—do you do that regularly, or just when you notice something off? I’ve read mixed things online. Some say it’s good maintenance, others claim it’s unnecessary unless there’s visible debris or weird smells. I don’t want to mess with the plumbing more than I have to, but I also don’t want to ignore a problem until it gets expensive.
One thing I’ve noticed is that sometimes after city work on the water main, the pressure gets weird for a day or two, and there’s sediment in the lines. Anyone else get that? I usually run the cold tap for a while and hope for the best... Not sure if there’s a better approach, but so far, no disasters.
I get the same thing after city work—pressure goes all over the place and sometimes the water looks a bit cloudy or gritty. I usually just run the taps for a while too, but I’ve wondered if that’s enough. As for flushing lines, I only do it if something seems off, like weird smells or sediment. Never really saw the point in making it a regular thing unless there’s a reason. Maybe I’m just lazy, but so far, no disasters here either.
Honestly, you’re not alone—most folks just run the taps until things clear up. It usually works, but have you ever checked your aerators after city work? Sometimes grit gets stuck in there and messes with pressure. Ever notice any lingering odors or taste changes after flushing? Just curious, since sometimes those can be signs of something more going on. Not saying you need to make flushing a routine, but keeping an eye (and nose) out never hurts.
Funny you mention the aerators—I've seen so many folks overlook those tiny screens. Grit and little bits from city work love to camp out there and can really mess with your pressure. Ever tried unscrewing one after a big water main fix? Sometimes it's like a mini sandbar in there. As for odors or taste, that's a red flag for me. If it lingers after a good flush, could be something in the line or even old pipes. Ever notice if it’s just one tap or the whole house? That can help narrow things down.
