Water Troubleshooting
Water Troubleshooting | New Braunfels Utilities
Troubleshooting Water Issues
Some common water and wastewater issues may have a simple solution you can check at home. Use the guides below to troubleshoot the issue and determine when you may need to contact us.
For Low Water Pressure:
Check More Than One Faucet
Turn on water at several locations throughout your home, such as your kitchen faucet, bathroom faucets and showers.
Is the pressure low at only one faucet or fixture?
If yes, the issue is likely isolated to that fixture or your home’s plumbing. Check the faucet aerator or showerhead for buildup or blockage. If the issue continues, you may need to contact a plumber. If pressure is low throughout your home, it may be an external issue, or more investigation may be needed.
Do You Have a Water Softener?
A water softener can sometimes restrict water flow when it needs maintenance. If you have one:
- Place your water softener in bypass mode according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the water pressure inside your home again.
You can also check the outdoor faucet, or spigot near the front of your home. This faucet may be located before your water softener and can help you compare the pressure.
Check Your Pressure Regulator
Some homes have a pressure regulator, also called a pressure-reducing valve, that controls the water pressure entering the home.
If your home has a pressure regulator, an issue with the regulator could cause low water pressure throughout the house.
If you suspect your pressure regulator is causing the issue, contact a licensed plumber or qualified professional to inspect or adjust it.
Check for Visible Leaks
Look around your home and property for signs of a water leak.
Check for:
- Water pooling in your yard
- Unusually wet or muddy areas
- Water near your meter box
- Water running along the curb or street
- Plumbing fixtures that are leaking or continuously running
If you find a leak, visit our Continuous Water Use page for more info.
If the steps above did not help solve the issue, our team can help determine whether additional investigation is needed. Call us at 830.629.8400
Other Water-Related Issues
No Water
If you don’t have water at your home or business, complete these quick checks before contacting NBU.
- Check more than one faucet to confirm the issue isn’t isolated to a single fixture
- Check your customer shutoff valve (if your property has a customer shutoff valve, make sure it hasn’t accidentally been turned off)
- Look for a leak
- Check around your property, meter box, curb and street for visible water
- Check for a known NBU Outage
If you’ve completed these steps and still don’t have water, contact NBU so our team can investigate.
Discolored or Smelly
Changes in water color or odor can sometimes originate from plumbing or equipment within the home.
Do you have a water softener?
- If water has been sitting in a water softener without circulating for an extended period, it may develop an odor or discoloration
- Check the water from the outdoor faucet near the front of your home and compare it with the water inside
Water outside looks and smells normal, but water inside does not?
- The issue may be related to your water softener or internal plumbing
Recent water main repairs or other system work may also temporarily affect water appearance.
Contact NBU at 830.629.8400 so our team can investigate.
Black Specks
Seeing small black particles in your water? First, determine where you’re seeing them
- Check more than one faucet
- Run both hot and cold water at several faucets.
Are the black specks only in your hot water?
- The issue may be associated with your water heater or components within your home’s plumbing. Some water heater components can deteriorate over time and create dark particles. Consider contacting a plumber to inspect the system.
Are you seeing black specks in both hot and cold water or at multiple faucets? Contact NBU at 830.629.8400 so our team can investigate.
Wastewater Backup
If sewage or wastewater is backing up into your home, first determine how much of the home is affected.
Check multiple drains
- Check sinks, toilets, tubs and showers
- If the backup is limited to one room, drain or section of the house, the blockage is likely within your home’s plumbing. Contact a plumber for assistance
Check your sewer cleanout
- If you know where your sewer cleanout is located and can safely access it, check whether it is holding water
- If the cleanout is holding water, contact NBU so our team can investigate.
- If the cleanout is not holding water, the blockage may be within your home’s plumbing and may require a plumber
- Do not remove or open a cleanout if you are unsure how to do so safely
Still unsure? Contact NBU at 830.629.8400 so our team can investigate.
Sewage Odor
If you notice a sewage odor, first determine whether it is coming from inside or outside your home.
Odor inside your home
- If the smell is isolated to a particular sink, shower, floor drain or room, it may be related to your home’s plumbing
- A dry or dirty P-trap can sometimes allow sewer odors into a home. Running water through an infrequently used drain or cleaning the affected drain may resolve the issue
- If the odor continues, contact a plumber
Odor outside your home
- If you notice a strong sewage odor outdoors and cannot identify the source, contact NBU at 830-629-8400
Water Emergency
If you have a broken pipe, major leak or another plumbing emergency, shutting off water at your customer shutoff valve can help limit property damage.
- If you know where your shutoff valve is located and can safely access it, turn off the water to your property.
- Do not operate NBU-owned valves or equipment.
If you don’t have a customer shutoff valve, cannot locate it or cannot safely shut off the water, contact NBU at 830.629.8400 for assistance.
Still experiencing water-related issues?
If after going through all the checks above you’re still experiencing issues or are unsure, contact NBU. Our team can help determine whether additional investigation is needed.