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

Plumbing Question: How Do I Know if I Have a Leak in My Plumbing System?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Some leaks in your Lacey home’s plumbing are quite obvious, especially if they occur very near the fixture. For instance, if the pipe leading from your kitchen sink drain is leaking, you’ll quickly see water spilling out onto the floor. But because your pipes crisscross your home mostly out of sight, there is always the possibility that a leak will develop in a less-obvious and accessible area.

In fact, it’s often hard to know you have a leak at all, but there are a few tell-tale signs to watch for that can indicate a problem in your plumbing system. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call a Lacey plumber immediately to find the source of the problem and minimize the damage from the leak. These signs include:

  • Lower Water Pressure – Of course, your home may naturally have low water pressure. But any sudden reduction in the pressure of the water coming from taps in your entire home or just in one area indicates a problem somewhere along the line. Even if you see no other outward signs of a leak, be sure to get professional attention right away.
  • Higher Water Bills – If you notice that your water bill has increased without a corresponding increase in your water usage, there’s a good chance that extra water you’re paying for is leaking out of a pipe somewhere.
  • Dampness and Unexplained Puddles – Dampness in any area of your home can indicate a leak as well. And a leak in the main water line leading into your home can often cause puddles to develop in your yard even when it hasn’t rained. If you notice this type of pooling, or if any of your walls or floors feel damp, you should suspect a leak and call a professional promptly.

For any plumbing repairs in the Lacey area, give Brooks Plumbing Co. a call!

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Plumbing Tip: How Sump Pumps Work

Monday, September 24th, 2012

In areas like Olympia, WA, a sump pump acts as a primary line of defense against water getting into your home and causing damage to your basement, garage or bottom floor. These devices are actually quite simple to operate and relatively affordable to have installed, so they represent a very effective, highly recommended option for anyone with water issues in their Olympia home.

If you are having such a problem and are interested in learning more about what a sump pump does and why it is such a good investment, here are a few more details about them and how they work.

Sump Pump Technology at Work

A sump pump is exactly what it sounds like – a pump installed in the bottom floor of your home or basement, if you have one, that removes water before it can back up and create a problem. When the system is installed, a secondary drainage system is usually installed that will funnel water into a pit somewhere in your basement. As water fills this pit, a float rises and eventually triggers a switch on the sump pump.

The sump pump then turns on and starts removing water from that pit, pumping it into a drainage pipe or sewer line (depending on your municipal regulations regarding sump pump installation). The result is no water in your basement and a very efficient means of removing the water from your home.

Because the system consists of nothing more than a simple pump and some drain tiles to funnel water into the pit, it is relatively affordable to install and requires minimal maintenance – usually just a quick inspection once a year and a test during dry months of pouring water into the pit to ensure it comes on. Not bad for a device that will actively keep water out of your home for years to come.

If you’d like to install a sump pump in your home’s basement, call Brooks Plumbing today! Our Olympia, WA plumbing technicians are experts in sump pump installation and repair.

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Plumbing Question: What is a faucet aerator?

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Your Olympia home is filled with little things that you don’t even think about – technologies that have been developed to save us money or reduce energy consumption that, when not present, can have a very negative impact. One such thing is the aerator on your sink faucets. If you don’t have an aerator on your faucets, or if you have a clogged aerator, it’s important to know what these little things are and why they are so important.

What Is an Aerator?

Put very simply, an aerator is a screen installed at the end of your faucet. When you turn on the water, the aerator blocks part of the water flowing from the water line by splitting the flow. This does a few things. First, it ensures your water flow is not too powerful – wasting a large volume of water. Old faucets, installed in Olympia Homes before the 1992 law that required a certain level of efficiency, would use between 4 and 7 gallons of water per minute (gpm). With an aerator, a modern faucet uses 2.5 gpm or less.

Second, this ensures that the decreased water flow isn’t noticeable. When you wash your hands, plenty of water comes out to rinse your hands of soap, and unless you need to really fill up the sink fast, you’ll rarely, if ever, notice the decreased water flow.

Problems with Aerators

If you have high levels of minerals in your water supply, the aerator on your faucet can eventually get clogged. This happens slowly over time, so you will not notice at first, but eventually water flow will slow to the point that your faucet will either seem to slow or stop temporarily. This can be fixed easily enough by removing and cleaning your aerators, though it is also good to have your water supply checked to ensure the mineral levels are not too high. A water treatment system can help with this.

An aerator is an important component in your Olympia home’s plumbing – a simple little screen that saves you $100 or more per year on your water bill and helps you do your part for the environment by reducing wasted water.

If you have any questions or are in need of plumbing repairs, call us today! Brooks plumbing has been a trusted provider of quality services throughout the Olympia area since 1994.

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Plumbing Question: How Does a Drain Tile System Work?

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Drain tile systems seem to be the most common solution to problems arising from basement dampness and flooding. An increasing number of people inLacey are switching to these systems. But before you can do the same, it can be helpful for you to know how these systems work.

The technology that drain tile systems use was first put to its modern use in the United States in 1838. The main principle of this system is the use of special perforated tiles to absorb water and direct it away from the foundation of your home.

These drains are used for several purposes. When used as a farm draining system, they help prevent over saturation of water in fields. These tiles can also be used in irrigation systems for the transport of water. On the other hand, a drain tile system can be used domestically to drain yards as well as regions around the foundation.

Drain tiles are perforated (they have tiny pores) to allow the water in. When used in drainage systems, these tiles are immersed in a bed of loose stones, which allows the drain to lead to the piping. You can find various kinds of stone for this purpose. However, the three or four inch washed gravel allows for the best kind of water flow. These pipes are usually cylindrically to follow convention. However, even the cubical ones serve the same purpose as their shape has no effect on the flow of water.

Depending on your requirements, you can go for piping ranging from a diameter of two inches to 18 inches. Most people using these systems around their foundations prefer the 4” variant as a standard size. The pipe used for draining could be made from plastic or PVC. Any standard type of pipe can be used in this purpose. However, the pipe must be connected to the system well so no water is lost when draining out.

So there you have it. Drain tile systems are efficient and tested to absorb excess water from any area and help it flow out in an efficient manner. This is quite a popular and effective method that has been in use for many years now and continues to serve the purpose in agriculture as well as for domestic purposes. For more information about installing a drain tile system in Lacey, give Brooks Plumbing a call today!

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Plumbing Question: What is Commerical Plumbing?

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

If you own a commercial building in the area and need an Olympia plumber to visit and perform part or all of an inspection on your pipes and fixtures, it is important that you hire someone with specific experience working on commercial systems. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is that commercial systems are significantly different from residential systems and therefore need a different kind of attention than the systems you would find in a typical home.

 Larger Scale

A commercial plumbing system works on a much larger scale meaning many more things need to be taken into consideration. In a residential setting, water flow, water pressure, and even construction materials used are generally the same from one home to the next. In a commercial setting, you’re going to find that the type of pipe material present, the layout of those pipes and much more will depend almost entirely on the function of the building being serviced and the type of plumbing that is used.

Certain buildings have special water needs and others must follow particular sanitation guidelines because of what is done there. It is important that you hire a plumber who knows these guidelines and can meet them on the scale that is required.

 Quick and Efficient Service

A commercial plumber in Olympia must be able to quickly and effectively make repairs and service your plumbing system – something that may need to be done during off hours or that will require special equipment due to the larger configuration of your plumbing system. Ideally, they will also have training in those particular configurations and with those specific commercial tools.

It is important to hire a commercial plumber for all of your building’s plumbing needs, whether that means finding someone to perform a routine pipe inspection or to replace large lengths of pipe. If you’re interested in making this a part of your routine maintenance, call Brooks Plumbing Co. today.

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Plumbing Tip: When to Call for a Garbage Disposal Repair

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Normally when something goes wrong with you Lacey home’s garbage disposal it is quite obvious .  Any if you notice any of the following problems, it can be an indication that a call for garbage disposal repair is needed in order to get it back up and in working order.

  • Bad Smells:  When a bad smell happens, it is great to try the easy fixes like putting lemons down the disposal.  However, when those home remedies don’t really do the trick, it’s likely a garbage disposal problem exists under the surface, such as the unit not properly chopping food any longer.
  • Jammed Disposal:  When a disposal jams on something, it is often an item that should never have gone down the drain in the first place.  The force of the disposal stopping abruptly during use while the motor continues to grind on can cause damage that you could never see and which should be addressed by a trained professional.
  • Water Leaks:  When water leaks from a disposal it can either be a broken seal near where the top of the disposal connects to the sink, or it could be a malfunction within the disposal that requires a repair or replacement.
  • Noisy Disposal:  When there is more than normal vibration or humming coming from the unit, it could be a stuck flywheel, or a locked u p or broken motor.  If this noise continues for too long it could permanently damage the disposal, causing need for a replacement.
  • Clogged Drain:  A drain clog below the disposal could mean that the disposal is no longer properly grinding up food.  If simple fixes such as sharpening the blades with a few cups of ice cubes doesn’t work, then there could be a broken blade or something more causing the disposal not to work.
  • Stops Working Altogether:  When your disposal won’t start and pushing the reset button doesn’t fix the issue, there could be an electrical problem, or a problem with the motor itself.

Hiring a qualified Lacey plumber such as those at Brooks Plumbing  will ensure you get the garbage disposal repair you need quickly and professionally.  Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip: Reduced Water Flow from Showerheads

Monday, August 20th, 2012

If your showerhead or other plumbing fixtures suddenly have reduced water flow, call the Olympia plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing to take a look at your showerhead and provide the right solutions.

Causes of Reduced Water Flow

When reduced water flow occurs throughout a home, it can indicate that a serious plumbing problem has sprung up which needs to be addressed quickly.  However, if water pressure remains normal throughout your home, and there’s only reduced water pressure in the showerhead itself, it is usually due to one of a few simple causes. The two main causes are lime-scale build-up or a clogged water screen.

  • Lime-Scale Build-Up:  There could be an accumulation of lime-scale, which is actually calcium, a by-product of hard water.  Vinegar is a simple cleaning substance that can take care of most blockages due to calcium build-up.  Specific calcium cleaning agents can also be purchased at the store, but avoid using harsh chemicals, as they can damage the showerhead.
  • Clogged Water Screen:  There could also be a build-up of gravel or other substances in the water screen within the faucet head.  In this instance the showerhead would need to be removed.  The screen should be able to be cleaned and all debris removed so that water flows freely once again, but if the screen is no longer usable even after cleaning, it may be time to replace the screen or for a showerhead replacement.
  • Showerhead Pipe Problems:  If cleaning off calcium build-up and removing clogs from the water screen to not help the low pressure problem, there is likely something wrong with the pipes leading to the showerhead.  In this case, call an experienced plumber to properly diagnose and resolve the problem.

Brooks Plumbing has a team of experienced Olympia plumbing professionals who can help you out with a wide range of low water flow problems. We also find the best solution to resolve the issue. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Question: Why Is My Hot Water Heater Not Heating Water?

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Hot water heaters that stop working can affect an entire home.  Not only do water heater problems create cold showers, but they lessen the effectiveness of doing simple tasks such as laundry.  The Olympia plumbing specialists at Brooks Plumbing understand the most common water heater problems and can not only help you understand them but provide quick and easy water heater repairs.

Common Water Heater Problems: When the Water Heater Is Not Heating Water

  • Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse: If the circuit breaker has been tripped or blown to the circuit that gives power to the water heater, the water heater will not work.  If there are any blown fuses this will also cause water heater to not heat water.
  • Pilot Light Problems:  If the pilot light goes out, it will cause the water in a water heater to not heat properly.  Because it is a gas appliance it will need to be lit again by a trained professional.
  • Bad Thermocouple:  A faulty thermocouple or other gas control can mean that it fails to open the pilot control valve which would result in no water heating.
  • Faulty Thermostat: If a thermostat doesn’t work properly it will not sense the temperature well and will result in water not being heated to acceptable temperatures.
  • Sediment Buildup in the Water Tank:  If too much sediment has built up inside the water tank, the water will not heat properly.  With proper water heater maintenance any sediment buildup will be addressed by the water heater technician who does the inspection.
  • Water Leaks:  Plumbing connections that are not tight can cause water leaks.  If the water tank itself is leaking it is possible that the entire tank needs to be repaired or replaced professionally.

All of these common water heater problems can be fixed by the Olympia water heater service professionals at Brooks Plumbing. Call us today!

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Plumber’s Guide: Slab Leaks and the Damage They Cause

Monday, August 6th, 2012

If you are a Lacey homeowner and you don’t know what a slab leak is, consider yourself lucky. There are few problems that your home can suffer from that are more inconvenient and worrisome than a slab leak. At Brooks Plumbing we believe that the best way for homeowners to be prepared for problems is to keep themselves informed. With that in mind, here is some information about slab leaks and the potential damage they can inflict on your home.

Slab leaks are extremely problematic due to the fact that they are notoriously difficult to detect. They occur beneath the concrete foundation of your home and can cause serious structural damage. Because of their location beneath your home you will not see a slab leak, but there are some warning signs that you can look for to identify a slab leak. Indicators include:

  • Unexplained spikes in your water bill
  • Unusually low water pressure
  • Sounds of running water with no identifiable source
  • Dampness in carpeting or water stains at base of walls

If you are experiencing any of these problems it is important that you contact a professional plumber immediately. By the time you suspect a slab leak it may have been there for some time, and the damage it can cause will only get worse. Slab leaks can occur in your sewer line or potable water line. The potable water line can cause even more damage as the water is pressurized.

Because this type of leak occurs beneath concrete is important to pinpoint the location before any work is performed. You don’t want to tear up the entire floor of your home to find the source of your leak. A professional Lacey plumber will utilize special equipment as well as their training and experience to make the repair process as painless as possible. If you have any reason to suspect a slab leak in your Olympia area home, call Brooks Plumbing Company immediately. We’ll do everything possible to ensure that the structural integrity of your home is not compromised by the slab leak.

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Garbage Disposal Repair: Why is My Garbage Disposal Making Noise

Monday, July 30th, 2012

When you are looking for garbage disposal repairs in Olympia, call Brooks Plumbing Company. One of the more common service calls we get for kitchen plumbing repairs is a broken garbage disposal, particularly for “humming” garbage disposals. A humming garbage disposal can mean there are a few possible scenarios happening, but first, you’ll need to know what signs to look for.

A humming garbage disposal usually means that when you flip the switch to turn the disposal on, it doesn’t grind the food. Instead, it just makes a humming noise instead of the normal noises of a fully-functioning garbage disposal. This typically means that the blades are not working to chop the food waste. Here are a few reasons why this may have occurred and why you could need a repair service.

The first potential reason for a humming garbage disposal is a stuck flywheel. The flywheel is located just above the lower hopper chamber, and it is the device that turns the blades. The humming noise could mean that the blades are not turning because the flywheel is stuck. This is an easy repair that our technicians can take care of fairly quickly.

If the garbage disposal does not work after we fix the flywheel and reset it for you, the humming could be caused by a seized motor or a frozen bearing. In most cases, a seized motor or bearing means that the unit will need to be replaced. Before you try to repair or replace a garbage disposal yourself, it is best to call Brooks Plumbing Company to schedule an appointment.

Whether or not you need a replacement, Brooks Plumbing is the plumbing contractor to call for garbage disposal repair and replacement services in Olympia. If you decide that you want us to install a new garbage disposal, we can remove the old unit and replace your disposal with any number of new models to suit your needs and your budget. We carry a large selection of the latest models, and our technicians make it a priority to provide expert service for any plumbing job. Call today!

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