Can definitely relate to your frustration. Had something similar happen last spring—the city was doing some "routine maintenance" (famous last words, right?), and sure enough, my shower started coughing up brown water like it had a bad cold. Called the city, and their response was classic: "Just run the water for 10 minutes, it'll clear right up." Easy for them to say—they aren't paying my water bill.
Anyway, while running the faucets does help flush out sediment, it's also worth checking your faucet aerators afterward. Mine got clogged with tiny debris from the pipes, and cleaning them out instantly improved the pressure. Also, if you haven't already, you might want to drain and flush your water heater tank—sediment loves settling in there after pipe work nearby.
City assurances aside, I've learned the hard way that any work on main lines nearby usually means trouble downstream (literally). Better safe than sorry...or thirsty.
Been there myself—city says it's "routine," but it's never that simple, is it? Good call on the aerators. I've seen more than a few faucets sputter back to life after a quick cleanout. Hang in there, it'll clear up soon enough...
"Hang in there, it'll clear up soon enough..."
Usually true, but not always. Had a similar issue last year—city kept saying it was routine maintenance, but after two weeks of weak pressure and brownish water, I finally checked the main shut-off valve myself. Turns out sediment had built up there, restricting flow. Quick flush and cleanout did the trick. Aerators help, sure, but sometimes the problem's deeper down the line. If it drags on much longer, might be worth checking valves or even your pressure regulator (if you've got one). Better safe than sorry...
Had something similar happen a few months back—thought it'd resolve itself, but no luck. Turns out it was my pressure regulator acting up. Swapped it out myself (pretty straightforward DIY, honestly), and pressure's been rock solid ever since. Maintenance might clear it up, sure, but if you're still dealing with it after a while, don't hesitate to dig deeper. A little troubleshooting now can save you from bigger headaches (and costs) down the road...
Good call on the regulator—those things can be sneaky. A few quick thoughts from experience:
- Pressure regulators are often overlooked because they're usually tucked away somewhere out of sight. Easy to miss, easy to forget.
- DIY replacement is definitely doable if you're comfortable with basic plumbing. Just make sure you shut off the main water supply first (learned that the hard way once...).
- If anyone's hesitant about tackling it themselves, it's usually not a pricey fix even if you call someone in. Better than letting it drag out and risking pipe damage or leaks.
- Also worth checking your main shut-off valve while you're at it. Sometimes sediment buildup there can mess with pressure too.
Anyway, sounds like you've got it sorted now, which is great. Plumbing issues always seem minor until they're suddenly not, right? Glad you caught it early.