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

Plumber FAQ: How Video Pipe Inspections Help

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Video pipe inspections are a relatively new piece of technology that Olympia, WA plumbers use. It allows us to see deep down into the plumbing system to find clogs and leaks. This is a huge benefit to us and we wanted to share some of the advantages that it has. At Brooks Plumbing, our plumbers in Olympia, WA offer complete plumbing repair and installation. If your drains are slow, if they’re leaking or If they’re completely clogged, call the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing today!

What Is Video Camera Pipe Inspection Equipment?

If you’ve ever seen a spy move where they slide a thin wire under a door or through a window opening in order to look inside the room—that’s sort of like our video camera pipe inspection equipment. The camera and wire are about the thickness of a pencil and can be fed down into your drains and pipes. Our plumbers have a separate unit with a screen that shows us what the camera is seeing in your pipes. We can control the camera so that we can see any blockages, cracks or clogs that might be down in your plumbing.

What Are the Benefits of Video Camera Pipes Inspections

The main benefit of video camera inspections is information. It allows our plumbers to go into each job with as much information as possible. We can pinpoint where the clog is and what it’s made of. That allows us to quickly attack it and remove it. Instead of having to fish around in your plumbing with a long, metal snake we can just send the camera down the pipe to find out exactly where the clog is.

Benefits of Professional Plumbing Maintenance in Olympia

During regular plumbing maintenance visits, your plumber should use video camera equipment to inspect any suspicious problems with your plumbing. When you have an Olympia plumber inspecting and regularly cleaning your plumbing system you might be able to find small clogs or problems early before they turn into larger, more costly repairs.

Call the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing if you need any plumbing repair or maintenance. We can work on any kind of plumbing system and fix all kinds of problems. Call us today to talk with one of our friendly plumbers in Olympia, WA. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tips: Bathroom Plumbing Upgrades

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

If you are starting a bathroom remodeling project, Brooks Plumbing provides bathroom plumbing installations throughout the Lacey area. Always call a professional Lacey plumber you trust to install any new plumbing equipment. Your bathrooms get a lot of use, and that’s why you want to make sure that the plumbing is installed correctly.

In addition to proper installation, you want to be sure that your bathrooms have the design and look that matches your tastes. Our professional plumbers can provide both. Also, hiring a plumber to install your bathroom fixtures and plumbing is much faster than trying to do it yourself, not to mention preventing issues. You also want to make sure that your plumbing system will provide lasting results. Contact Brooks Plumbing for Lacey bathroom remodeling services today!

Here are some of the upgrades that you may want to consider for new bathroom fixtures and plumbing.

  • Low flow faucets and fixtures: Save water and money with these simple upgrades.
  • Dual flush toilets: Older toilets waste gallons of water with each flush. Consider this upgrade to help conserve water.
  • Water heater upgrades: Consider a tankless water heater for on demand hot water.

With all the use that your bathroom gets, you want it to work as efficiently as possible. With the help of a professional plumber, you can be sure that your bathroom plumbing will get installed correctly to prevent problems for you in the future.

The Lacey plumbers at Brooks Plumbing have many years of experience working with all different kinds of bathroom installation jobs. We can get your new fixtures or pipes in quickly and without sacrificing quality. Call us for your next bathroom remodeling job! Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip: Basic Water Heater Components

Monday, January 14th, 2013

If you are looking for ways to extend the life of the water heater in your home, we’ve put together some tips for you. We’ve also included an outline of the basic water heater components so that you can understand how the equipment works and how to take care of it. Call the Olympia water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing today!

Most homes have a standard tank water heater, and these will need routine maintenance to ensure worry-free and lasting results. Tankless water heaters do not have a storage stank, but they still need basic maintenance. We are focusing on the tank water heater since these are more common and require a little more maintenance.

One of the safety features in a tank water heater is the cold water supply valve, which is a shutoff valve that will need to be turned off before any repairs or maintenance is done on the tank. The sediment in hot water heater tanks needs to be flushed out regularly so that it doesn’t burn inside the water tank from being heated by the burners. The cold water runs through a dip tube.

Because cold water is denser than hot water, the cold water settles at the bottom of the tank and rises as it is heated. Once this happens, it is supplied to the showers, sinks, and other applications through the hot water discharge.

In some models, there’s a metal rod in the tank called a sacrificial anode that attracts corrosion instead of the tank itself getting corroded. Some have alarms that alert you when it is time to replace the anode. If you hear popping noises, there could corrosion or sediment burning inside the tank.

Contact Brooks Plumbing if you have questions or would like to hire a Olympia plumber for routine maintenance.

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How Can I Save More Water and Energy in the Winter?

Monday, December 17th, 2012

As the heating season approaches savvy homeowners begin cooking up their schemes to roll back energy costs this winter. What many homeowners do not give much consideration to – often until a problem arises – is the conservation of water throughout the winter. Both are important, if for different reasons. Brooks Plumbing has some information to share with you about how you can improve both your energy efficiency and water conservation this winter. Cut down on the amount of resources you use and watch the saving begin to add up this heating season.

Some of the most effective ways to save energy during the winter months are also the simplest. Did you know that you can reverse the rotation of your ceiling fans? Flip a switch on the fixture and keep them going clockwise. This is generally the winter setting and it forces heated air back down to the living space from the ceiling. You can also buy shrink-wrap and weather-stripping to winterize your doors and windows. Keeping the heat inside your home is one of the most basic ways to reduce heating costs during the winter. Of course the best way you can keep your home heating system as efficiently as possible is to schedule regular, professional maintenance. When your heating system is operating effectively, efficiency soon follows.

Saving water during the winter is a bit different. Some water saving methods are automatic in the winter, such as cutting down on the water you use to maintain your lawn. This is much more of a spring or summertime concern. One thing people tend to do in the winter is spend more time in a nice, hot shower. It may be a nice respite when you get back from the cold outdoors, but remember that you are paying for that water just like always. The biggest water waste concern in the winter is the freezing of your pipes. Make sure that they are properly insulated and, if you are going away, be sure to drain them to prevent bursting. A burst pipe, as you can imagine, is a pretty serious way to waste water.

For more information about cutting costs and increasing water and energy efficiency in Olympia, WA this winter contact Brooks Plumbing. Let us help you improve your comfort while retaining more of your budget. Schedule service today.

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Sump Pump Tip: How to Maintain Your Sump Pump

Monday, December 10th, 2012

While the sump pump in your Lacey WA area home should rarely have issues, it is important to maintain it so that you don’t have any problems. If your sump pump breaks down, you could find yourself facing a flooded basement or major water damage to your home.

Here at Brooks Plumbing, we want to help you maintain your sump pump with a few maintenance tips.

Test the Float Switch

Most sump pumps are submersible pumps that are installed inside an open well. Like the floater inside a toilet tank, the float switch will turn on the pump once the water reaches a certain level. Occasionally check it by lifting it for a second to see if it turns on the motor. If not, check to make sure it is plugged in or that there’s not a blown fuse. Call a technician if the float switch isn’t working.

If your motor is constantly running, this means that the float switch is stuck in the on position. This could cause the motor to burn out, so unplug the pump and see if you can clear out any debris stuck underneath the float switch. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber.

Clean the Well and Filters

Try to keep your basement area clean so that debris doesn’t fall into the well. Also, check the filters on the pump and clean out anything that can cause a clog. Call a professional if you aren’t sure how to do this.

Check for Other Damages

Submersible pumps are more susceptible to corrosion and other damages, so check for rust and other obvious damages. Call a Lacey WA plumber at Brooks Plumbing if you notice any problems with your sump pump. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumber Tips: Drain Line Do’s and Dont’s

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Are you in need of an Olympia WA plumber for a drain problem in your home? Call the plumbers at Brooks plumbing today! We can tackle any job, big or small. To help maintain the drain lines in your home, we’ve put together a list of do’s and dont’s for residential drain systems.

Call an Olympia Plumber for Backups and Clogs

Whether you have a toilet that is overflowing due to a backup, or you have a clogged sink, always call a plumber before you put chemicals down the drain or try to resolve it with a temporary fix. The plumber will be able to take care of the problem and prevent it from recurring. Using harsh drain cleaners will not solve the overall issue, and it can harm the pipes, particularly in homes with piping made of soft metals.

If necessary, the plumber can view the block from the inside with a video inspection device. They will diagnose the reason for the block and tell you how to avoid further problems. They will also let you know if the block was a sign of a more serious problem with your plumbing. Call us for all your drain line repair needs.

Think Before You Flush

Flushing diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, and other objects down the toilet is another common cause of drain system backups. Homeowners should never flush anything down the toilet that wasn’t specifically designed to be disposed of that way. When in doubt, you should always err on the side of caution.

Hire Brooks Plumbing for Drain and Sewer Line Replacements

We use trenchless technology for sewer line repairs and replacements. That means no trenches will be dug across your lawn, and this technology helps protect driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping. It also means less time spent digging and back filling, which translates to lower costs for you.  Replacing a sewer line is a major project that must be done correctly to avoid further problems down the road. You need a company you can trust.

Contact Brooks Plumbing today if you have questions or are in need of a Olympia plumbing repair.

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Plumbing FAQ: Do Banging Pipes Need a Plumbing Repair?

Monday, November 19th, 2012

While there are many plumbing noises that indicate that it’s time to call a Olympia plumber, banging pipes are the most common. A banging noise in your plumbing system could have many different causes. It’s a good idea to call one of the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing, to inspect your system and make sure there are no major issues.

Here are a few reasons you may be hearing a banging noise when you shut off your plumbing appliances and fixtures.

When water travels through the pipes in your plumbing system, there’s a lot of pressure behind it. If the pipes are too small, there’s more water, and therefore, more pressure behind  the valve when the water moving to that application shuts off. The momentum of the water causes the pipes to shift when this happens, and that’s why you hear a banging noise. Depending on how loud the noise is and the location of the pipes, it could be something that needs a repair.

Not having pipes wide enough to carry the volume of water running through them puts stress on the pipes every time the valve shuts and you hear the banging noise. There are many solutions to this. Your plumber can install vertical pipe near the valve to absorb the shock of the water pressure. The water will move into the vertical pipe and release some of the pressure.

You can also find valves that are specifically designed to address this problem if it is a problem throughout your plumbing system rather than one area. Installing a pressure-reducing valve onto the main water supply will take care of the issue throughout the home. You may also need to add an expansion tank to your boiler or water heater if this is a recurring problem with any of your hot water applications.

If you have further questions or would like to schedule a repair service, call the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing. We are here to resolve any plumbing issue with the right solution.

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How Can I tell if I Have a Broken Main Water Line?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

A broken water line is one of the most dreaded repairs for many homeowners in Lacey. The reason is because water lines are normally buried in the ground under your home. The process for fixing the break is inconvenient and expensive. Compounding the problem further is the face that because the pipe is in the ground, detecting the leak can be very difficult. We thought that it would be helpful for our customers in Lacey if we put together a short list of symptoms that might indicate that you have a broken water line. However, you should never attempt to fix a broken water line in Lacey on your own. If you suspect that your water line is broken, call the expert plumbers at Brooks Plumbing immediately.

What Causes Broken Water Lines

It could be helpful to know what some of the common causes of water line breaks.

  • Tree roots – This is probably one of the most common culprits for a break in your water line. Tree roots can slowly work their way into the pipe joints in their search for water. Over time, this can break your pipes or clog them.
  • Natural disaster – Natural disasters can be devastating to your water line.
  • Rust and Corrosion – Over time, mineral deposits and rust can eat through your water line. Even if the pipes are made of plastic, eventually they will just get old and break.

Sudden Increase in Water Bill

You probably don’t enjoy opening your water bill. But if you peel open that envelope one day and discover a huge spike in your bill, it could be a sign of more than just increasing water prices—it might mean that you have a broken water line.

Soggy Spots

If you start to notice soggy spots in your yard, this could mean that the water line below is leaking. The water is saturating the dirt beneath your yard making it wet and soggy.

Strange Bumps

Depending upon the type of dirt that’s in your yard, the leaking water from your main might not make it soggy. It could actually push the ground upwards. If you start to notice any cracks in your home’s slab or strange bumps in your yard, you may want to call a professional plumber.

If you’ve started to notice any of these things at your home in Lacey, call the professional plumbers at Brooks Plumbing. We can get to your home quickly, diagnose the problem and then offer a reasonable solution.

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Issues with Your Storage Tank Water Heater

Monday, October 29th, 2012

The good news about water heaters that use a storage tank is that they are fairly simply contraptions. They hold a bunch of water, heat it and distribute it the rest of your home. But like everything else in this world, things go wrong. Eventually, you’ll start to have problems with your water heater and you’ll need water heater repair services for your home in Olympia. You should always consult with a professional heating technician about any issues that you’re having with your water heater. While they are fairly simple devices, you could do irreversible damage to your system. Here are a few of the common water heater problems that we see in Olympia.

Water Temperature

If you don’t have any hot water or if the water coming out isn’t hot enough, there are a few things that could be wrong. This could be an issue with the thermostat on the tank. It may have been turned down accidentally or it could be faulty. The other issue could be that the heating element (for electric heaters) or the pilot light (for gas heaters) could be at fault. For a pilot light, it could be that it is dirty. The electric heating element could be broken or the water heater could be unplugged.

Rust Colored Water

If you turn on your hot water faucet and rust colored water comes out, this might be a huge problem. Inside your water heater is a “sacrificial rod”. This rod is made out of some metal, normally magnesium or aluminum, and it sacrifices itself for the sake of your water tank. The rod attracts the tiny electrical current in the water that would normally erode your water tank. But when the rod is consumed, the inside of your tank will start to rust. By the time you start to see the rust flowing out of your water heater, the damage is most likely done. You will probably end up having to replace your water heater.

Stinky Water

If your hot water starts to smell like rotten eggs, this could be caused by a bacterial infection in your water. Sometimes, bacteria can start to grow as they feed on the hydrogen released from your anode rod. If this is the case, a professional heating technician can drain your water heater and clean it to remove the smell.

Noise in the Water Tank

If you start to hear noises inside the water heater tank, this could be due to sediment or mineral build up at the bottom of the tank. As it heats up, it produces popping sounds. A professional heating technician can also help you fix this problem.

If you’re experiencing any of these water heater issues in your Olympia home, call Brooks Plumbing today. We have years of experience offering high quality plumbing services in olympia and would be happy to help you as well.

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FAQ: What to Look for in the Different Options for Repiping Materials?

Monday, October 8th, 2012

So you’re thinking about repiping your Olympia house. Whether your current pipes have already stopped working or if you’re doing some preemptive maintenance, choosing the repiping material for your new plumbing system is a big decision. There are a number of different materials to choose from and depending upon your budget and your long-term goals, one may be better for you than the other. Here we talk about 2 of the more popular materials to give you some things to think about as you get started.

Copper

Copper is the oldest and most popular material for repiping purposes. Copper pipe is classified by the thickness of the pipe walls. There are three different classes: M, L and K. Type M is very common and has the thinnest walls. This type is popular for large housing developers because it is less expensive. Type L is most common for single-family homes and usually lasts for 40 to 50 years. Copper is very durable and is very good at resisting bacteria growth and corrosion. However, it is very expensive and over time does corrode and can cause your water to have a metallic taste. Copper pipes are also very susceptible to freezing under cold conditions or breaking during earthquakes.

PEX Piping

PEX piping is a relatively new material that has become very popular with plumbers. PEX stands for crosslinked polyethylene. It is a flexible, plastic-like material that is non-toxic, doesn’t freeze, can flex during earthquakes, doesn’t corrode and doesn’t require soldering or joints. It can also last up to 100 years and is completely recyclable. A big drawback, however, is that PEX cannot be used outside or in direct sunlight as ultra-violet light can damage it.

Other Repiping Materials

There are several other repiping materials that are available. Kitec, galvanized and CPVC are just a few of them. Galvanized in particular is an older kind of piping material that is still in use in many homes and is often replaced. Kitec and CPVC were popular choices for plumbers but have fallen out of favor because of their high rate of failure.

Brooks Plumbing has experience repiping homes in Olympia and can help you decide if it’s time to repipe and what material are right for your particular home. Call us today!

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