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

Common Problems with Garbage Disposal Units

Monday, December 9th, 2013

Garbage disposals are one of the best conveniences in modern kitchens, but with all the work that they need to do, they can occasionally malfunction. Here are a few problems with garbage disposals that we often encounter in our work. Call Brooks Plumbing when you need assistance with a malfunctioning garbage disposal unit. We handle all types of plumbing repair services in Tumwater, WA.

Before getting started, keep in mind The Golden Rule of Garbage Disposal Problems: Thou shalt never stick thy hand down into a garbage disposal. If you can’t solve the problem from outside the disposal unit, call a professional to handle the trouble.

Some common garbage disposal problems:

  • Clogs from grease, oil, and fat: You may have heard warnings to never pour liquid oil, grease, or fat down your kitchen drains. Unfortunately, people often misinterpret this advice to think that it does not apply to garbage disposals, because they are supposed to process food. But garbage disposals still link to a drain pipe, and so when those liquids cool and solidify into a waxy substance, they can still end up clogging the pipes. They can also jam the moving parts inside disposals, causing them to overwork and eventually trip their circuit breakers.
  • Jams from solid objects: Here’s a good rule of thumb for what should and should not go down a garbage disposal: If you can’t chew it, your garbage disposal can’t chew it either. Put food leftovers like animal bones into the garbage, not the disposal. The same goes for un-popped popcorn kernels. In general, avoid treating the garbage disposal like an actual garbage. Non-food waste products—like glass, metals, and paper—should never go down there, or else or disposal could end up with a serious jam that will require a professional plumber to repair it.
  • Leaks: If your disposal is an older unit, loose screws and corroded gaskets can cause it to start leaking. In some cases, a repair technician can refasten the unit, apply sealant, or replace the gaskets to stop the problem. However, if the unit is extremely old, it may be better to replace it entirely rather than making numerous repairs.
  • Disposal won’t run: First make sure that the unit hasn’t become unplugged. Then check the reset switch along the bottom of the unit to see if it has popped out. If you reset this and attempt to turn the disposal on again, and it still won’t run (only producing a humming noise until the reset switch pops out again) then the flywheel is stuck. Call a plumber to help you dislodge it—don’t put your hand down into the disposal to try to loosen it.

Although you may get through a few days without a disposal, it’s a major inconvenience, and it will also mean that food particles will start going down your regular sink, leading to it clogging. If you can’t figure out how to safely get your disposal working once more, call for plumbing experts. Brooks Plumbing can provide you with the right plumbing repair in Tumwater, WA.

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What Is a Drain Snake and Why Do We Like Them So Much?

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

A typical scene between a homeowner and a plumber in Lacey, WA, courtesy of Brooks Plumbing:

Homeowner: I’m glad you’re here. This clog in my kitchen sink… I just can’t get rid of it.

Plumber: You’ve already tried a plunger, I assume.

Homeowner: Yes. It didn’t work. It must be a thick clog.

Plumber: You didn’t pour any chemicals down the drain, did you?

Homeowner: Oh, no! I paid attention to your advice from the last time. I know those cleaners are full of acids that can damage my pipes. And I don’t want that stuff accidentally splashing onto my skin or my eyes, or leaving fumes in my home.

Plumber: Good. You did the right thing by calling a professional for the job. I have just the tool to solve the problem.

Homeowner: What’s that? It looks a bit like a rolling vacuum cleaner.

Plumber: This is a powered drain snake. Sometimes we call them augers. Whatever the name, most plumbers really love them. They can get rid of tough clogs quickly and without damaging the pipes.

Homeowner: I’ve heard of drain snakes, but never understood how they worked.

Plumber: I’ll explain. A drain snake works something like a more powerful corkscrew on a long line. It’s a wound metal coil that rotates so it can pierce into a clog that’s blocking up the drain. The line is flexible so it can reach down far into your piping until it encounters the clog. The motor turns it so it screws into the clog. Then the snake can draw out the clog, or force it to crumble and break apart. Either way, it gets the drainpipe cleared away and can attack tough clogs of both organic or inorganic material.

Homeowner: Wait, aren’t there drain snakes that don’t need motors? And can’t I just buy one from a hardware store and do the job myself?

Plumber: Yes, there are manual drain snakes. And professional plumbers sometimes use those as well for simpler clogs. However, I don’t recommend you try to use them on your own. A drain snake, handled improperly, can end up causing damage to your pipes because of scratching. You should always call on a professional plumber in Lacey, WA when you’ve got a clog that’s too tough to handle. Besides having the best tools and knowing how to use them, we can also detect if there’s something else wrong with your plumbing that has caused the clog, such as a break in the sewage line.

Homeowner: Then I’m glad I called Brooks Plumbing.

Plumber: You can always trust us to deliver quality in everything we do. Now don’t worry, the drain snake will have your kitchen drain clear in no time at all…

Curtain

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5 Characteristics of a Great Plumber

Monday, November 18th, 2013

To protect the plumbing in your home, you need to have a great plumber keeping it in good shape. Entrusting repairs and maintenance to an amateur or to a “professional” plumber who lacks training and experience will end up costing you money for further repairs and leave you with constant worries about whether the work will get done correctly.

Although you should have no trouble detecting an amateur plumber, how can you pick out a truly great one from among the many who advertise as professionals? Here are 5 characteristics to look for in a plumber to help you make the best choice.

For a plumber in Olympia, WA who meets all these qualifications, look first to Brooks Plumbing.

1. PHCC Membership

Make sure that your plumber belongs to the PHCC, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association. This is the premiere trade group for plumber and HVAC professionals, and membership shows a plumbing contractor’s dedication to quality service.

2. Offers a variety of plumbing services

A plumber who works on more than leaky pipes is a plumber who can bring a wide number of experiences to play when it comes to figuring out your specific repair needs. Look for contractors who also handle whole-house repiping, sump pumps, kitchen remodeling, and other installations. If the plumber also handles commercial plumbing, that’s an additional plus.

3. Many years in the business

You should make sure you hire a plumber with at least 10 years of experience in the field. This not only indicates a plumber with plenty of hands-on-training, it shows community trust and customer satisfaction.

4. An active website

A nice looking website doesn’t mean much in today’s business world: anybody can pay for a decent web presence. But if a plumbing contractor’s website features numerous pages describing various plumbing services, a frequently updated blog, and current promotions, it’s a good sign of a busy and highly professional company.

5. Has many positive customer reviews

With today’s Internet technology, you can quickly discover what other people are saying about a plumbing contractor. Check for links to reviews from the plumber’s website and find out if there are many satisfied customers.

Brooks Plumbing fits all of the above criteria. We’ve been in business almost twenty years, can handle plumbing from small leaks to remodeling, belong to the PHCC, and have a catalogue of many satisfied and loyal customers. If you’re looking for a quality plumber in Olympia, WA, make Brooks Plumbing your first call.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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