Totally with you on that—calling the city early can save a ton of headaches. Had a similar issue last summer; pressure dropped suddenly, and I started checking everything inside. Turns out, neighbors had already called it in, and the city was flushing hydrants nearby. Also worth mentioning: if you're ever unsure about your regulator, it's not a bad idea to have a pro check it out. Messing around with water pressure can get tricky fast... better safe than sorry.
Good points, but honestly, before calling in a pro, I'd suggest doing a quick DIY check first. Regulators aren't always that complicated—sometimes it's just debris or sediment buildup causing the issue. Shut off your main water valve, carefully remove the regulator screen, and see if there's any gunk blocking it. Clean it gently, put it back, and test your pressure again. Might save you a service call fee... but yeah, if you're still unsure after that, definitely get someone experienced involved.
Totally agree with the DIY suggestion—always worth checking yourself first. But I'm wondering, could mineral buildup also affect water pressure? I've heard hard water can cause deposits inside pipes over time. Anyone tried vinegar or eco-friendly solutions to clear that stuff out? Curious if that might help improve pressure too, or is it mostly just a regulator issue...
Mineral buildup can definitely mess with water pressure—I dealt with this exact issue last year. Tried the vinegar trick overnight, and it actually helped quite a bit. Didn't completely solve it, but noticeable improvement. Worth a shot before messing with regulators...
I've heard about the vinegar thing before, but does it really make that big of a difference? I tried soaking my showerhead overnight once, and honestly, didn't notice much improvement. Maybe I didn't do it right or something... Did you dilute the vinegar or use it straight? I'm skeptical about quick fixes, but if there's a way to avoid messing with plumbing or regulators (which sounds expensive), I'm all ears.
