Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

What Causes a Pipe to Freeze?

Monday, November 11th, 2013

It’s one the great nemesis that your plumbing faces during a particularly cold winter in Washington, State: frozen pipes. Not only do frozen pipes block up the flow of water, but they can easily cause pipes to break and shatter because ice takes up more volume than liquid water. Although Washington has less harsh winters than other northern states, it only takes a few days of below freezing temperature to give your pipes serious grief.

If you have emergencies from frozen pipes, or from any other trouble that winter can throw at you at your plumbing, you need a company with a reputation for professionalism and quality work to take care of the repairs. Brooks Plumbing is ready to help you with professional plumbing services in Tumwater, WA.

The temperature at which pipes are in danger of freezing varies, but field tests from the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois put the average alert temperature at 20°F or below. Water resting inside pipes will start to freeze at this point. (For this reason, we suggest occasionally running water through faucets that don’t receive much use, since water flow helps ward off freezing.)

In Washington State, most of our plumbing is inside our homes instead of outside them, so they are less susceptible to freezing during cold weather. But if there are insulation leaks in your home, especially in areas that contain exposed pipes like the basement, then temperature drops will put your plumbing at risk. One of the first steps to take to see that your pipes don’t freeze is to take care of major heat leaks in your home. Cold air will also escape through holes in walls where cables and phone lines go to the outside: watch for trouble with pipes in these areas.

Pipes with poor insulation are particularly in danger from freezing. Exposed pipes should have effective insulation, such as sleeves, to keep heat from escaping from them and causing the water inside to freeze. There are also options for electric heating from cables along pipes, but you should never attempt to install this yourself. In general, when it comes to pipe insulation, leave the job to professional plumbers.

If you think you have piping in your home that is in danger of freezing during the coming winter, don’t wait to find it out on the coldest day of the year: contact Brooks Plumbing for expert advice on how to protect your plumbing in Tumwater, WA. We can locate where your pipes might be in danger and find solutions that will keep the water flowing through them the whole winter.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on What Causes a Pipe to Freeze?

How to Tell if You Need Whole House Repiping

Monday, November 4th, 2013

Plumbing is perhaps the most important component in your house: providing you with clean, safe water for bathing and cooking. Your system of pipes needs to be dependable day in and day out, and with durable components, you can expect your plumbing system to last you for many years. Sooner or later, however, everything wears out, and the time may come when you need to replace your existing system with an entirely new one. In towns like Tumwater, plumbing installation means factoring in seasonal rains and other local conditions, as well as the inherent logistics of getting a new set of pipes put in your home in a timely fashion. Before you undertake such an installation, you need to determine if the need is there. Here’s how to tell if you need whole house repiping.

The facts of the matter won’t arrive all at once. Even a large repair may only stem from a single problematic pipe, not your entire system. In all likelihood, then need for a whole system replacement will arise only over time, as costs build up. You may notice that you need frequent repairs over multiple parts of the house, for example, or your home may have chronic leaking problems that recur in the bother, kitchen and anywhere where you have sinks.

Similar signs may not be as dire, but definitely suggest a problem in need of addressing. For instance, notice your water pressure if you turn on the pipes. Has it been going down over time? If so, it may suggest a lingering problem with the pipes. You might also notice it with a spike in your monthly water bills, especially if you’re not using any more water than normal.

Whatever the signs, you should probably speak to an expert first. He can determine if you simply need a plumbing repair, or whether something more extensive is in order. If you know how to tell if you need whole house repiping and you’ve decided the time has come, call on Brooks Plumbing to help. We handle plumbing installation service in Tumwater and issues of all varieties and we are standing by to give you a hand. Pick up the phone and contact us today.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on How to Tell if You Need Whole House Repiping

How Does a Drain Tile System Work?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Water leaking into your home is one of the biggest concerns you may face as a homeowner, especially in Washington State with our heavy annual rainfall. Among the most difficult leaks to address are those that seep into your basement. These leaks in the lowest part of your house can happen in the walls, floors, and the corners outside your house. Unattended water leaks in the basement will soon spread into the rest of the house, and at that point fixing the damage will require extensive work.

We recommend homeowners with basements install a drain tile system combined with a sump pump to siphon away water before it can reach inside their house. You will need professionals to install this system; for expert plumbing in Olympia, WA, call on Brooks Plumbing to get the job done fast and right.

A drain tile system is designed to move water away from your basement and into the sump pump or to a water outlet that leads to the main sewer line. The drain tiles are set into a gravel moat around your basement. Water naturally flows toward the most porous material where it will meet the least resistance, so it will move toward the gravel deposits instead of toward the concrete walls of the basement. As the water enters the gravel, it will flow down into the drain tiles, which are four-inch wide pipes with multiple drilled holes. These pipes move the water away from the basement and toward a pit where the sump pump will take care of removing it, or else it will enter the water outlet.

If a drain tile system receives improper installation, it can back up with water and cause your basement to flood—defeating the whole purpose of having them installed. Professional installers will take the time to locate the best placement of the drain tiles to ensure that they will be able to properly siphon the water away from your basement.

This may sound like a major construction project on your home, but for trained experts the installation is not that arduous or time-consuming. The professional plumbers don’t need to dig up the concrete in your basement: most of the work involves making trenches outside your home. Our expert plumbers at Brooks Plumbing have experience handling drain tile systems. When you need plumbing services in Olympia, WA to keep water out of your basement, make us your first call.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on How Does a Drain Tile System Work?

Why You Should Consider a Sump Pump

Monday, October 14th, 2013

In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation questions invariably come around to the issue of a sump pump. Ours is an extremely wet climate, and that means we live with a continuous risk of floods and plumbing overflow. A sump pump – placed in a pit in your basement – can be used to prevent flooding in your home and keep your possessions dry. When flooding starts, it enters the pit first, and the sump pump responds by pumping it out of the house. It serves as an excellent last line of defense against flooding, though the start-up costs may make you wonder if you truly need it. Here’s why you should consider a sump pump.

First and perhaps most importantly, a sump pump helps protect your biggest investment – your home – from serious flood damage. That extends not only to the walls, floor and furnishings in your basement, but to the foundation of your house as well. In addition to those immediate concerns, a sump pump improves the resale value of your home: giving it an extra asset that you can use to get more money out of your home when the time comes to sell it.

On a subtler level, sump pumps provide important health benefits by reducing the risk of mold and mildew infestation in your home. By lowering the dampness in your basement, it raises indoor air quality. This is particularly important for household members who suffer from allergies or who have reduced immune systems.

If you know why you should consider a sump pump, the next question becomes one of installation. Sump pumps can be difficult to set up – often requiring digging in the basement floor and careful positioning to function correctly. Accordingly, you should always rely on a professional service to install and maintain a sump pump. In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation services can provide safe and reliable sump pump installation. Brooks Plumbing has the experience and know-how to safely install a reliable sump pump in your home. Call us today to set up an appointment. We’ll explain your options to you and schedule an installation according to your needs.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Why You Should Consider a Sump Pump

Take Care of Those Leaks Before the Cold Season

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

There is no such thing as a “minor leak” in your home’s plumbing. There are small leaks, some so small they are referred to as “pinhole leaks”—but none of these are minor issues you can ignore or try to solve with a bucket and some duct tape. Have a plumber with experience and the best tools fix leaks before the winter arrives, bringing with it the danger of frozen pipes and the worry of losing your water supply when you need it the most.

For help getting those leaks repaired, look to the Olympia, WA plumbing repair experts at Brooks Plumbing.

One reason you need to get leaks repaired is that they tend to worsen over time if left alone. A small leak can easily grow into a large one without necessary repairs. Leaks might also indicate a problem worse than a local pipe break or patch of corrosion: there could be breaks in other spots or an increase in pressure.

Leaks, no matter their size, are a threat to the drywall, insulation, and wood in your house. Exposure to a small but steady drip of water will create rot in wood and ruin drywall and insulation. The damage water does to drywall is particularly quick. You could experience pieces of your ceiling crumbling off, or major structural damage that requires extensive repairs. That “minor” leak could end up a major expense.

Water build-up also encourages mold and mildew growth, especially in drywall. Bacterial growth provides additional damage to building material, such as warping wood. Mold and mildew can also attract rodents, termites, and other pests. Do everything you can to avoid unwanted bacterial growth, starting with fixing plumbing leaks.

Worse than any leaks you’ve detected are the leaks you haven’t detected… much of the plumbing in your home remains out of sight, and a small leak in one of these spots won’t be easily noticeable until it causes one of the problems listed above. When you bring in a professional to repair leaks you’ve discovered, the plumber will also look for other leaks that might have escaped your notice.

Winter can be a miserable time if your house has excess moisture seeping into it. Don’t let a small leak keep dripping away—you’ll risk enormous damage to your house and pipes. Call up Brooks Plumbing right away for Olympia, WA plumbing repair that will give you peace of mind this winter.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Take Care of Those Leaks Before the Cold Season

3 Reasons to Call a Professional Plumber

Friday, October 4th, 2013

You’ve got a plunger. A bottle of expensive liquid drain cleaner sits under your sink. In your toolbox is a set of wrenches with a variety of gauges. You may think you’ll never need to call in a professional plumber when you experience clogged sinks, backed-up toilets, or pipe leaks. But unless you’ve got a simple block to fix or you are a professional plumber, chances are strong that you’ll have to call in an expert when your plumbing needs attention.

Here are three reasons to turn to a professional plumber when you’ve got a serious problem. Brooks Plumbing can send out a plumber in Olympia, WA to service your needs quickly and properly.

1. Professionals use the finest tools

The standard plumbing tools found in residential homes—plungers, perhaps a manual drain-snake—can’t compare to the high-end machinery professionals use every day. Hydro-jetters, mechanized drain-snakes, pipe saws, an array of wrenches for all tasks… any plumber worth the title “professional” will have this equipment and more to tackle the trouble that simple tools can’t even begin to solve. Although some of these powerful tools are commercially available, they require expert skill to handle correctly and safely.

2. Professionals can identify specific problems

Sometimes, what seems like a standard drain clog can be something else—something worse, like a broken main pipe. Professional plumbers have years of experience understanding how and why things can go wrong with residential plumbing, and they can get to the root of the issue and know how to handle it. Without a professional, you will likely be stumbling in the dark trying to discover what needs fixing.

3. Professionals won’t create further repair problems

When you try to take on a repair yourself, you put your plumbing at risk if you do something wrong. Strong drain cleaner can potentially damage your pipes, as can trying to use a drain-snake if the job doesn’t call for one. If you start dismantling pipes on your own, you could find yourself unable to fit them back together. You might end up with massive leaks and water flooding into your home when all you started with was a clog a professional could’ve repaired in a few minutes.

The do-it-yourself urge is powerful, and craft hobbyists especially feel the pull to go solo with home repairs. Don’t give in, however—the potential for damage is too great, and you can even put your safety in jeopardy. Get in an expert. In Olympia, WA, a plumber from Brooks Plumbing can give you top-quality service to relieve your worries. Contact us today if you need help!

Continue Reading

Tags:
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on 3 Reasons to Call a Professional Plumber

Common Signs that You Need Sewer Line Replacement

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

When sewer lines rupture, they can wreak havoc in your household, and while no one likes to consider the costs involved in sewer line replacement, they’re absolutely necessary in order to retain the health and safety of your home. In Olympia, WA, plumbing replacement can be compounded by inclement weather, which means reliable sewer line replacement should take place as quickly and efficiently as you can manage. Here are some common signs that you need sewer line replacement:

  • Signs in the yard. Sewer lines tend to run through your yard on the way to the civic sewer system beneath the street. (Olympia’s STEP sewer system means there may be a visible holding tank lid in your yard to indicate the line’s location.) If the sewer line ruptures, you may spot a wet patch in your yard where no other wet patch can be found. Or the grass and vegetation around the leak may suddenly look greener and healthier than the plant life around it.
  • Smells. Nothing says “ruptured sewer line” more than a ripe, unpleasant scent. You might notice it in your yard around the sewer line, or it may come from drains in your house, such as the sink or toilet. Either way, it probably suggests a breach or a rupture in the sewer line.
  • Drain problems. A blockage in the sewer line could result in your drains backing up, or the water levels refusing to go down the way they should. You may also detect variations in the water levels in your toilet bowl after you flush, or see bubbles rising from the toilet bowl for no apparent reason.

Regardless of the cause of the sewer line problems, you want a qualified plumbing professional to provide sewer line replacement services in Olympia. At Brooks Plumbing, we address the issue with the latest in high technology. Remote video cameras help us pinpoint the exact problem and instigate repairs with speed and efficiency. We are available 24 hours a day for emergencies, and our staff is experienced in handling the rains and wet weather associated with Olympia, WA. Plumbing replacement services need to act with professionalism and care. Call us today and let us show you what a difference that can make.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Common Signs that You Need Sewer Line Replacement

Signs That Your Water Heater Might Need To Be Serviced

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

There are few appliances in your home that get as much use as your home’s water heater. This near-constant use can eventually lead to the need for repairs and services for your water heater. If you need a Tumwater plumber , make sure that you call the experts at Brooks Plumbing. We offer a full range of water heater repair services and we wanted to alert our customers to some of the signs to watch for that could indicate that their water heater is in trouble.

Tumwater Plumber Tip: Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service

Check out a few common indicators that would suggest you need a Tumwater plumber to service your water heater:

  • Leaks – One of the most common problems that homeowners face when it comes to their water heater is leaks. Any appliance that deals with a lot of water will eventually spring a leak. Your water heater can start to leak from the gaskets, the valves and even from the tank itself if the pressure inside builds up too much.
  • Not enough hot water – Another very common issue is insufficient hot water. If you aren’t getting enough hot water, it could be that your water heater isn’t large enough. But it could also be that the dip tube has come loose and all the cold water coming into your water heater is entering at the top. The water heater’s burner could also be out or the thermostat could be faulty.
  • Noises – If your water heater is making any unusual noises, it likely means that it needs service. Rumbling is a common sound that is produced when minerals or sediment get deposited on the bottom of your tank and form a thick layer. The noise is generated by bubbles forming under the layer when the burner turns on.

If you’re having any issues with your water heater, make sure that you call for a Tumwater plumber from Brooks Plumbing. We have years of experience and can work on any type of problem that you might be having.

Continue Reading

Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Signs That Your Water Heater Might Need To Be Serviced

What is a Drain Tile System?

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

Given enough time, water can carve out giant valleys through mountains. It is actually one of the most destructive forces on the planet. That’s why it’s so important that you protect your home from water. One way to do that is with the use of a drain tile system. Also called a French drain or a perimeter drain, these systems are installed around the foundation of your home so that they can drain away any water that might collect against the side of your home and cause damage to your foundation, your slab or your home’s structure. Here at Brooks Plumbing, we have a complete offering of plumbing installation services and we wanted to share a little bit about what drain tile systems are and how they work.

Tumwater Plumbing Installation: Drain Tile System

Drain tile systems are designed to remove water from around your home and drain it away to a place that is further away so that it can’t damage your property. In order to do that, a large trench is dug around your home against your foundation. A plastic sheet called filter fabric is laid in this trench and against the foundation that prevents water from touching your foundation or from soaking into the ground under your home.

After that, gravel is laid on top of the fabric and then a pipe with perforations is laid on top of the gravel. More gravel is added on top of the pipe to allow water to drip down into the pipe. The pipe needs to be installed at a slight angle so that gravity will carry any water down the pipe naturally. Often, metal flashing is installed against the cement foundation to provide further protection from water.

As water starts to flow towards your home it will seep into the pipe and get carried down the pipe and away from your home. The outlet for the French drain also needs to be considered. Many times homeowners have their drain tile system empty onto the street where public drainage and sewer systems carry it away. Other homeowners choose to route the drain tile into a sump pump which then pumps the water away from your house. Call us today for more information about our drain tile system services.

If you have any questions or if your home frequently has floods around it, call the Tumwater plumbing installation professionals at Brooks Plumbing today.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on What is a Drain Tile System?

Signs that You Need Whole-House Repiping

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

The water pipes and drains in your home get a ton of use throughout the year brining in fresh water and disposing of your waste water. All of that use can lead to the need for Olympia plumbing repair services but eventually it will likely lead to the need for whole-house repiping. So what can you look for that might indicate that your plumbing is on its last leg? Read on below to find out and then give us a call here at Brooks Plumbing. Our Olympia plumbing technicians can answer any questions that you might have and we can visit your home to take a look at your plumbing and help you determine if repiping is needed.

Olympia Plumbing Tip: How to Tell If You Need Repiping

Keep an eye out for any of the following issues that could signal that you need whole-house repiping services in Olympia, WA.

  • Water pressure – The water that comes into your home from your utility company is under pressure so that it can travel up in to your home to all of your faucets. Over time, leaks can develop in your pipes as well as corrosion and mineral deposits that reduce the amount of water pressure in your home. This can also be caused by tree roots growing into your water pipes. If you notice a sudden or gradual decline in water pressure, like your washer not filling up fast enough, it could be time for repiping.
  • Water color – If you notice any kind of rust coloration in your water it could be time for repiping. While rust isn’t harmful to humans, it is very harmful to your appliances and to the rest of your water pipes. Sometimes the rust can be localized at a particular joint where the metal flux that’s used to seal copper pipes has started to rust. But other times the rust could be systemic throughout your home plumbing system.
  • Home and plumbing age – Sometimes it’s just old age that can cause your pipes to need to be replaced. As your pipes age they will require more and more repairs and while you may be able to replace small sections of the pipe in your home, there’s little to be done for the pipes that are buried in the ground.

When you need any comprehensive plumbing services just call the expert Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Signs that You Need Whole-House Repiping