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

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.

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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.

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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.

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3 Reasons You Need a Sump Pump

Friday, August 16th, 2013

A sump pump is a small pump placed in your basement in order to keep it dry. The sump pump is either submerged in the sump pump or installed on a pedestal above the sump basin, which makes it easier to service. When floodwaters start to fill the pit, the sump pump moves the water out of the building so the basement itself can stay dry. In Olympia, WA, where plumbing systems fight a constant battle against the frequent rains, sump pumps are an absolute necessity. Here are three reasons why you need a sump pump in your home.

  • Your basement will probably flood sooner or later. Olympia experiences some of the highest rainfall levels in the country, and when the rains come, they tend to stick around a while. That makes basement floods very likely, and when that happens, a sump pump is your best line of defense.
  • You don’t need to wait for help. With a sump pump in place, the draining starts quickly and continues as long as the pump (and the flooding) holds out. Contrast that to a situation where you need to use a hand pump, or call a plumber to help drain your basement. Time gets lost and if the flooding takes place during a major storm, it could be quite a while before someone can get to you for help. A sump pump in place means not having to sweat out a service call in the middle of inclement weather.
  • They are relatively inexpensive to install and maintain. While sump pumps require the services of a professional plumber to install properly, the procedure is relatively straightforward, and the up-front costs are minimal. When you compare it to the damages caused by rising flood waters, to say nothing of the fuss and bother of draining your basement after the rains subside, the cost becomes even more appealing.

If you want to install a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace, call upon an Olympia plumber who knows the ins and outs. Brooks Plumbing can handle sump pump installation and maintenance in Olympia. Contact us today to set up a consultation.

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2 Reasons for Considering Bathroom Remodeling

Wednesday, August 7th, 2013

Are you satisfied with the state of your bathroom? Do you wish it were more comfortable, more luxurious, or simply more practical?As one of the most utilized parts of the home, the bathroom, whether it’s downstairs or part of the master bedroom suite, needs to be optimized for your particular needs. As such, it is one of the first rooms that homeowners think of remodeling. This may not simply be for aesthetic reasons, however, but rather a necessity due to the presence of mold and mildew, or other wear and tear to the shower or bathroom sink vanity. Whatever your reason for considering remodeling your bathroom, you need to hire a professional bathroom remodeling contractor in Tumwater, WA to complete the service properly. Call Brooks Plumbing today. We can handle not only the plumbing aspect of your new bathroom, but the installation of any fixtures, flooring, tile, and built-ins.

  • To change the layout. When remodeling the bathroom, most homeowners want to make some kind of change to the layout of the bathroom, whether this requires expanding the footprint of the room slightly, or simply moving the shower and toilet to a different area of the room. This involves moving the supply and wastewater piping, but it may be worth it if you feel as though your bathroom should have been designed better in the first place, or it has become inhabitable for a growing number of family members.
  • Because the bathroom has become gross. This is not an uncommon reason to gut the bathroom and start over, or simply replace a few key components, such as the flooring or shower. Whether due to ventilation problems, or simply because of the frequency with which it is used on a daily basis, your bathroom fixtures and infrastructure can become problematic. They can develop mold and mildew not only on the surface, but also behind walls and under fixtures that can begin to eat away at the infrastructure of the home. Allowing such problems to fester can lead to serious water damage.

Call Brooks Plumbing if you’re interested in what we can do for your bathroom remodeling project in Tumwater, WA. We can guide you every step of the way.

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5 Ways You Can Remodel Your Kitchen

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where food is prepared, eaten and enjoyed; where family members gather to discuss the day’s events; where friends and guests catch up. Kitchen remodeling is one of the major ways you can improve the overall comfort, value, and convenience of your home. Because the kitchen is where fine furnishings, plumbing, and major appliances come together, there are virtually limitless possibilities for your new kitchen. From installing new cabinetry to repiping the entire area to make more room for a new appliance or fixture, you need to find a contractor that can best serve your needs. At Brooks Plumbing, we offer comprehensive kitchen remodeling in Tumwater, in addition to our other plumbing services. Call us today to find out more about how we can improve your home.

Let’s take a look at 5 different ways to remodel your kitchen:

  • Cabinetry. New cabinetry in the kitchen can be a relief. No more drawers that won’t close, doors that stick, or old paint chipping off into the cooking area. New cabinets with new hardware adds a great blend of functionality and design to your home.
  • Countertops with back splash. There is no substitute for a new counter top. When you cook and clean, your counter top is your primary workspace, and it needs to be set-up in such a way as to be right for your needs. A back splash can add life to your kitchen walls, which are subject to water, grease, and other substances during food prep and clean-up.
  • Kitchen sink. A kitchen sink is one of the most important parts of the kitchen. It’s where you wash vegetables before slicing them, and where you scrub greasy pots and pans after a big family dinner. As such, it’s incredibly important that you find one that is the correct size for your kitchen needs.
  • Dishwasher.If your dishwasher is on the brink of failure, or no longer is able to clean your dishware properly, then you might want to consider installing an energy-efficient model in your new kitchen.
  • New pipes. Kitchen remodeling is a great time to make sure that the piping in your kitchen area is in good, working condition. Whether you need to swap out a leaky section or you want to move the pipes around your kitchen, find a plumber who can meet your needs.

Call Brooks Plumbing today for kitchen remodeling and plumbing services in Tumwater, WA.

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What You Should Look For Among Plumbers

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

There are a lot of Olympia plumbers available so how can homeowners find the right one for their home? Here at Brooks Plumbing we are dedicated to our customers’ complete satisfaction and we wanted to put together a description of what you can look for when you need a new plumber. Give us a call if you need any kind of plumbing services or if you have any questions about finding a new plumber.

Olympia, WA Plumber Tips: How to Find a New Plumber

Your plumbing system is a huge part of your daily life and you rely on it heavily in order to carry out many daily tasks. When you need any kind of plumbing services, you want to make sure that your plumber is up to the task and able to provide you with quality services. So what should you look for in a new plumber?

Here’s a quick list:

  • Licensed – One of the first things that you should look for is a business license. In order to provide plumbing services, each business needs to get a license. This is critical to your search because you want to work with a plumber that is properly licensed with the state.
  • Insured – Another important thing to look for is to make sure that your plumber is properly insured. This is important because it could protect you if your plumber injuries themselves while in your home.
  • Warranty – You should find out if your plumber offers a warranty on their work. This is the sign of a plumber that is dedicated to their work and to your satisfaction. It could be that they offer a satisfaction guarantee or a warranty on their work that lasts for a certain period of time.
  • Third-party recognition – There are a number of different organizations that offer accreditation to businesses that want to show that they offer good services. The Better Business Bureau offers certification for many different types of businesses and the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) also offers certification for businesses specifically in those industries.

If you’re looking for plumber in Olympia, WA, make sure that you call the friendly plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing.

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Why You Should Consider Bathroom Remodeling

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

Is your bathroom comfortable? Does it function according to your needs? As one of the most utilized rooms in the home, your bathroom is also one of the most heavily plumbed. It is full of pipes and fixtures that allow you to take hot showers, wash your hands, remove organic waste from the home effectively, among other conveniences of the modern home. Considering how much use it gets, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the rooms frequently remodeled by homeowners in our service area. As a full-service plumber, we also offer comprehensive bathroom remodeling services throughout the Tumwater area. Call Brooks Plumbing today when you’re ready to get started on your next plumbing project.

Let’s take a look at some good reasons to consider professional bathroom remodeling:

  • Layout. One of the best ways to alter the comfort and convenience of your bathroom is by changing its layout. Remodeling projects are often done by homeowners who did not have any part in the design of the original home, and may have different ideas as to the best layout of the sink, shower, bathtub and toilet. Depending on what size room you have, there are various ways you can customize the layout to your needs.
  • Design. Another reason to consider professional bathroom remodeling is to change the design of your bathroom, which includes the color of the paint on the wall, the type of shower, what the sink vanity looks like, and so forth. There is no shortage of design possibilities on the market today, so you might want to get some inspiration by perusing some interior design publications.
  • Energy efficiency. Finally, you may want to remodel your bathroom in order to use water and electricity much more efficiently. By installing low-flow faucets and showerheads in your home, you can sometimes cut your bathroom’s water consumption in half. Another excellent option is to install a low-flush toilet, which uses substantially less water per flush than your older toilet.

If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, make sure you hire a professional Turnwater plumber from Brooks Plumbing to help. Our bathroom remodeling experts can help your make decisions along the way.

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When is Plumbing Replacement Service Necessary?

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

For many homeowners throughout the Olympia, WA area, your plumbing system is probably taken for granted more often than not. While we can see when a light goes out, or when our AC gives us warm air instead of cold, plumbing problems have a way of sneaking up on you. With professional plumbing installation as well as maintenance services, you can minimize the risk of problems, but some issues are inevitable. There may even come a time when you need to replace your piping or water heater. That said, the line between repair and replacement is not always so clear-cut, so it’s best to consult with a professional plumber in Olympia, WA before you make any major decisions about your faucets, fixtures, piping, and plumbed appliances. Call Brooks Plumbing today.

So, how do you know when a plumbing replacement service might be necessary? Let’s look at some signs that might tip you off.

  • Frequent repairs. If any part of your home requires frequent repairs, it’s typically a sign that it should be replaced, and the same goes for your plumbing system. If you find that you’re seeing a bit too much of your plumber, then it may be time to consider replacing your water heater, bathroom piping, or whatever part of your home is no longer working well.
  • Old age. Is it time to retire your water heater? Like any aspect of your plumbing system, there may come a time when your water heater or drainpipes no longer work as well as they once did, evidenced by high energy bills, low flow rates, and inadequate performance. Don’t wait for the system to shut down before you call for plumbing replacement.
  • Multiple leaks. If you have not one but two or more leaks in your home, you may have a systemic issue with your supply or drainpipes. When your plumber arrives, talk to him about the condition of the piping to see whether it might be time for repiping.

The decision to call for plumbing replacement should be done in consultation with a professional Olympia, WA plumber who can accurately assess the issue at hand and recommend a viable solution.

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Are Strange Sounds Coming From Your Plumbing

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

You depend on the pipes and plumbed appliances a lot on a daily basis to deliver clean clothes and dishes, hot showers, and fresh, potable water. You also need them to remove wastewater from your home efficiently and effectively so that you can keep your home clean and hygienic. But over time, your plumbing system may begin to make strange sounds. It can be difficult to sort out the good from the bad, but if it sounds unusual, strange, or occurs unexpectedly, it may be an indication of a problem that needs professional attention. When you need a plumber in Olympia,WA, call Brooks Plumbing. We can help you figure out where that sounds is coming and offer a thorough solution.

  • Pipes knocking. Does your pipe knock when you turn on the fixture? If so, then you might have an issue with your pressure. Unlike the wastewater disposal system, either your water supply is pressurized by the municipal water source or by the well pump that draws water out of the ground. In both cases, you need to have adequate pressure to operate a shower or run the dishwasher. But too much pressure can lead to pipes knocking against the walls and floor joists. This can be fixed by securing those pipes.
  • Water heater rumbling. Your water heater is a vital part of your home and you need to make sure that it operates well at all times. But over time, your water heater may develop sediment or scale, and when this builds up at the bottom of the tank, it can cause your water heater to rumble. This often means that the water inside the tank is being heated to potentially scalding temperatures. This can obviously be dangerous.
  • Water running. If you hear the sound of running water under the floors or near the concrete slab foundation of your home, then you may have a slab leak. Slab leak detection and repair can be challenging, so make sure you hire a reputable plumber to get the job done right the first time.

Call Brooks Plumbing when you need an excellent Olympia, WA plumber.

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