North Lakes Water Outage? What To Do Before and After Your Water Comes Back On

Today we were alerted to a water outage affecting parts of North Lakes and Mango Hill, including streets such as Chermside Road, Kinsellas Road West, George Street, Mary Street East, Mary Street West, Robert Street and surrounding areas.

While water outages are usually handled by Unitywater, they often raise a good question for homeowners:

What should you actually do once the water comes back on?

A water outage itself may not mean there is anything wrong with your home’s plumbing. However, once supply is restored, you may notice dirty water, spluttering taps, reduced pressure, blocked tap filters or concerns with your hot water system.

Here is what North Lakes, Mango Hill and Moreton Bay homeowners should know.

First, check whether there is a known outage in your area

If your water suddenly stops, your first step should be to check whether there is a known local outage.

In North Lakes and nearby suburbs, water supply interruptions may be caused by planned maintenance, emergency repairs, burst mains, network testing or other water supply issues.

Before assuming the problem is inside your home, check Unitywater’s outage information and see whether your street or surrounding area is listed.

If there is a known outage, the best thing to do is usually wait until the water supply is restored, then follow a few simple steps before using your plumbing as normal.

Why water can look dirty after an outage

After an outage, some homes may notice brown, cloudy or discoloured water.

This does not always mean your home has a plumbing fault.

When water flow changes suddenly in the mains, sediment inside the pipe network can be disturbed. That sediment can then move through the supply once water pressure returns.

You may notice this when you first turn on a tap after the outage. The water may look brown, yellowish or cloudy, or your tap may splutter as air moves through the line.

In many cases, this clears after flushing the cold water line properly.

What to do when your water comes back on

Once the water supply has returned, avoid turning everything back on immediately.

Start with the front outside tap closest to your water meter. Run that tap first to help clear the water entering the property before pulling it through the rest of the house.

If the water is discoloured, keep running the outside tap until it clears. You can catch the water in a bucket and use it on the garden rather than wasting it.

Once the front outside tap is running clear, move through the home and test your cold taps. Start near the front of the house and work towards the back.

The basic order is:

1. Run the front outside tap first.
2. Wait until the water runs clear.
3. Check cold taps inside the home.
4. Avoid using hot water until the cold water is clear.
5. Avoid using the dishwasher or washing machine while water is dirty.

This helps reduce the chance of dirty water being pulled through appliances, mixers, filters or your hot water system.

Be careful with your hot water system

This is one of the most important steps homeowners often miss.

If the cold water is dirty after an outage, avoid using hot water until the cold water has cleared.

Your hot water system has an inlet where cold water enters the unit. If dirty water is pulled into the system, sediment can potentially affect valves, filters, strainers or the general performance of the unit.

This is especially important if you already have an older hot water system, reduced hot water pressure, a leaking relief valve or inconsistent water temperature.

If your cold water has cleared but your hot water is still discoloured, smells unusual, runs slowly or the system starts leaking, it may be worth having a plumber check the unit.

Low water pressure after an outage

Low water pressure after a local outage can happen for a few reasons.

Sometimes the network is still stabilising after works. Other times, air or sediment may have moved through the line. In some cases, the issue is not the water network at all; it may be inside the property.

A simple way to narrow it down is to check where the low pressure is happening.

If every tap in the home has low pressure, and neighbours are having the same issue, it may still be related to the local supply.

If only one tap has low pressure, the problem may be a blocked tap aerator, blocked filter, mixer issue or localised plumbing fault.

If one section of the house has low pressure, there may be a restriction in the pipework, a valve issue or an internal pressure problem.

If your neighbours have normal pressure but you do not, the issue may be on your side of the meter.

Check tap filters and shower heads

After an outage, sediment can sometimes collect in tap aerators, shower heads and small filters.

If one tap is suddenly weak but others are fine, the issue may be as simple as a blocked aerator.

Signs this may be the problem include:

• One tap running slower than usual
• Uneven flow from a mixer
• A shower head spraying irregularly
• A tap that splutters even after other taps are back to normal
• Dirty water only appearing from one fixture

Some tap filters and shower heads can be cleaned, but if you are unsure, do not force anything apart. Damaging a mixer, cartridge or fitting can turn a small issue into a bigger repair.

Do a quick leak check once pressure returns

After the water comes back on, it is also a good idea to check for leaks.

This is especially useful if pressure seems lower than normal, the ground near your meter is wet, you hear water running when no taps are on, or you receive a higher than usual water bill later.

Here is a simple check:

1. Turn off all taps and water-using appliances.
2. Make sure the washing machine, dishwasher, irrigation and toilets are not running.
3. Look at your water meter and take a photo of the numbers.
4. Wait at least one hour without using any water.
5. Check the meter again.

If the meter numbers have changed while no water was being used, there may be a leak somewhere on the property.

Concealed leaks can occur underground, behind walls, under driveways, around toilets, near hot water systems or in irrigation lines. They are not always obvious at first.

When to call Unitywater and when to call a plumber

A good rule of thumb is this:

If the problem appears to affect multiple homes or the street, check Unitywater first.

If the issue seems isolated to your property, a licensed plumber may need to investigate.

You may need to contact Unitywater if:

• There is no water and an outage is listed in your area
• Dirty water does not clear after flushing
• There is water leaking from the street, footpath or meter area
• Multiple neighbours have the same water pressure issue
• There is a major leak or safety hazard outside your property

You may need to call a plumber if:

• Only some taps are affected
• Your neighbours have normal pressure but you do not
• Your hot water system is leaking or not working correctly
• Your water meter keeps moving when no water is being used
• You have low pressure after the outage has cleared
• Your tap filters, shower heads or valves appear blocked
• You suspect a concealed leak on your side of the meter
• You cannot turn off your stop tap in an emergency

North Lakes homes can be affected in different ways

North Lakes has a mix of newer homes, townhouses, duplexes, investment properties and family homes. That means plumbing issues after a water outage will not always show up the same way from one property to another.

A newer home may have pressure limiting devices, mixer taps, flexible hoses and modern hot water components that react differently to pressure changes.

A rental or investment property may have small leaks that have gone unnoticed because no one has checked the meter.

A family home may notice the problem first through the shower, washing machine, dishwasher or hot water system because those fixtures are used heavily every day.

That is why the right first step is not panic. It is process.

Check the outage. Flush the cold water properly. Avoid using hot water until the cold supply is clear. Test pressure at different taps. Check the meter. Then decide whether the issue is likely to be a network issue or something inside the property.

What not to do after a water outage

There are a few things homeowners should avoid after an outage.

Do not immediately run the washing machine or dishwasher if the water is discoloured.

Do not start with the hot water tap if the cold water is still dirty.

Do not ignore ongoing low pressure if your neighbours are not affected.

Do not assume a leaking hot water system is just related to the outage.

Do not force old valves, taps or meter fittings if they feel stuck.

Do not ignore the water meter if you suspect a hidden leak.

Small checks now can save a lot of frustration later.

Need help with plumbing after a water outage?

If you are in North Lakes, Mango Hill, Griffin, Kallangur, Murrumba Downs or the surrounding Moreton Bay area and you are dealing with low water pressure, dirty water, a leaking hot water system or a suspected concealed leak, RJT Plumbing & Gas can help.

We can check whether the issue is likely to be inside the property, inspect your hot water system, test for leaks, check valves and fittings, and help you understand what needs to be repaired.

If the issue sits with the water network, we will let you know. If it is on your side of the meter, we can help get it sorted.

Call RJT Plumbing & Gas on 0421 431 825 or book online