Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog

Beware These Common Winter Plumbing Woes

January 22nd, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoThe chilliness of winter brings with it a number of problems when it comes to maintaining indoor comfort, particularly if you have a malfunctioning heating system. But heaters aren’t the only parts of a home that run into problems when temperatures get too chilly. And though we don’t usually experience the same freezing temperatures as other parts of the country, it has been known to happen—and it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and try to avoid common winter plumbing problems.

Our Yelm, WA plumbing professionals are familiar with all the winter plumbing problems that might affect you, and how to help correct them. But we’d like to give you some info about the most common of these winter issues so you’ll know how to keep a watch for them, and possibly even avoid them.

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No, You Shouldn’t Ignore These Water Heater Symptoms

January 8th, 2018

tank water heater with pipesWith winter time here, our minds are on our heating systems—is yours working efficiently? Do you have any repair needs that should be handled right away? These are very important questions, of course, but there is another appliance that often gets overlooked or taken for granted in homes throughout the country, even though it’s needed all year long—and that’s the water heater.

Consider the amount of strain that a water heater endures. It works 365 days a year. There is no way you can expect it to work 100% free of problems in that time, particularly without investing in annual maintenance and prompt Olympia, WA water heater repairs as needed.

Regardless of whether or not your water heater was maintained within the last year though, there are some symptoms a water heater displays when it is struggling that should never be ignored. Keep reading to learn what these symptoms are.

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Pinhole Leaks: Small Problem, Big Consequences

December 26th, 2017

brown pipe with growing pinhole leakPlumbing issues can often be hard to detect without professional equipment and experience. In fact, they almost always are. Most of your Rainier, WA plumbing system is hidden from view, after all, and the problems that usually impact it are subtle to start with—pinhole leaks being one of those problems.

This is a big part of the reason we suggest scheduling preventive plumbing maintenance at least once a year. However, you should know the warning signs that you do have a problem with your plumbing system. A pinhole leak, as we mentioned above, is a fairly common plumbing problem. And while its impact isn’t always felt right away, as it continues or grows in size, it can have big consequences, such as:

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Keep Store-Bought Cleaners Away from Your Drains!

December 11th, 2017

water going down a drainDrain clogs are an unfortunate reality, and one that many homeowners have to deal with at some time or another. However, clogs are also one of those things that people address incorrectly. When a clog develops in a drain, most people reach for some type of store-bought drain cleaner to manage the problem. This is actually not a good way to deal with it at all. Keep reading to learn why you instead want to trust your drain cleaning needs to trusted Lakewood, WA plumbing professionals.

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Signs You Need a New Water Heater

November 27th, 2017

tank water heaterAssuming you keep up with care for your water heater, you can reasonably expect it to last a pretty long time. No water heater lasts forever, however, no matter how well maintained it may be. At some point, you’ll need to invest in a new system. The key is to know when that is required, and then to hire a professional Tumwater, WA plumber to do the installation correctly.

There are a variety of signs that you can look for that indicate your water heater is nearing the end of its life. If you start to notice one or more of the following signs, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional about whether or not it’s time to replace the system. Continue reading to learn more.

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As the Holidays Approach, be Cautious with Your Kitchen Plumbing

November 13th, 2017

group of friends cooking at home to have dinner together. spending time with old friends and sharing good moodIt may be a bit of an eye opener to state, but the holidays are just around the corner. This means it’s the perfect time to prep your home for the occasion—start planning parties, do some winterization tasks around the home, and maintain your plumbing system! Yes, that’s right, when you have increased guests in your home, you want to think about your plumbing system, since it’s going to be getting a lot more use this time of the year.

In fact, one of the most common Olympia, WA emergency plumbing calls that professionals get is about clogged drains during this time of the year. Maintenance is the best way to prevent the biggest of plumbing emergencies, but there are also precautions you should take at home to help avoid certain issues.

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Should You Schedule Video Pipe Inspection?

October 30th, 2017

Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.One of the biggest issues homeowners face with their plumbing systems is how hard it can be to keep them in good shape. When an AC unit or heating system malfunctions, it can be pretty clear early on that you need to call for repairs. If anything, you can always give your HVAC system a quick lookover if you’re worried about its performance.

Plumbing systems are different, however. They are hidden from sight, mostly. You can’t really inspect it without professional equipment, and chances are you don’t have access to this equipment nor would you know how to use it, if you did. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule one very important Lakewood, WA plumbing service. And that is video pipe inspection!

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How to Avoid Frozen Pipes this Winter

October 16th, 2017

hand gripping pipe under sinkWhile it may not get as bitterly cold in our area as it does in other parts of the country, frozen pipes are still unfortunately a fairly common occurrence during the winter. And, they can cause a fair amount of damage if they are not dealt with. The reason for this is because as water in the pipes freezes, it expands and places pressure on the linings of the pipes.

As a result, you could find yourself with cracked or burst plumbing. To protect your pipes from freezing in the first place, there are a few steps you can take. Keep reading to learn more, and if you discover any problems with your plumbing this fall or winter, contact a professional plumber in Tumwater, WA, such as one of the members of our team.

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When a Plumbing Problem Is an Emergency

October 2nd, 2017

high pressure pipe leakingHave you ever had a plumbing problem that just couldn’t wait? The fact of the matter is, when emergencies like this happen, it’s never at a convenient time. As much as we would like, leaks, clogs and other disruptive issues just don’t always make themselves known during “normal business hours!” Because your plumbing system is so vital to the functionality of your home, you may find yourself in need of Olympia, WA emergency plumbing services.

But what constitutes as an emergency? Should you call for any given plumbing problem? Obviously, a burst pipe with no access to a shut-off valve is cause for an immediate call, but is a dripping faucet worth it? It will depend largely on your specific situation whether or not emergency services are needed, but we’ve offered some guidelines below on the most common emergency calls we receive.

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Garbage Disposal Overload: Taking Care of Your Kitchen Sink Plumbing

September 18th, 2017

Closeup of the hands of a woman washing a lettuce and some other vegetables in the kitchen sinkThere are certain plumbing appliances in your household that you could probably never imagine living without. Take, for instance, your water heater. There are others that are—fair enough to say—more of a luxury than a necessity, such as the garbage disposal. Still though, even though you don’t have to have a garbage disposal, it’s still pretty handy!

Once you’ve gotten used to the benefits and convenience that a garbage disposal has to offer, it’s easy to see why a problem with this system can leave you feeling rather frustrated. Fortunately, if you do run into a problem with this system, you can give us a call for quality Lacey, WA kitchen plumbing services. But we’d also like to help you avoid a garbage disposal malfunction to begin with, if at all possible.

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