Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Lacey’

What Can Cause Your Toilet to Overflow?

Monday, June 27th, 2016

It goes without saying that no homeowner ever wants to deal with an overflowing toilet. Not only is this very often a messy issue, it is inconvenient and can even be costly should the water travel to other rooms in your home.

In most cases, you can either solve this problem with a plunger to remove an offending clog, or by calling a professional plumber. However, knowing what the common causes of overflowing toilets is can help you too, as you may be able to avoid running into this problem again in the future. No matter what the cause, it’s vital that you call a professional plumber to get to the root of the problem.

Tags: Bathroom Plumbing, Lacey, Toilet Repairs
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Here’s What It Could Mean If Your Drains Are Gurgling

Monday, May 30th, 2016

It’s no secret that if you hear odd noises coming from a drain in your home, then there is probably something wrong with your home’s plumbing. The cause of the noise can range from a very minor issue to a major detrimental problem. Whatever the case, you will likely need the services of a professional plumber to figure it out.

Be sure to avoid DYI projects with problems of this kind. Trying to figure it out on your own can often end in more harm than good. Gurgling drains are something you should have investigated ASAP, so be sure to give our professionals a call.

Tags: Drain and Sewer Services, Lacey
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Should I Have an Electric Water Heater Installed?

Monday, May 2nd, 2016

Earlier this month, we discussed some signs that it may be time for you to replace your water heater. These signs included old age, accumulating rust, and unusual noises. While repairs are oftentimes sufficient, eventually you want to have an old system replaced, as facing an emergency replacement later on down the road is not only inconvenient, but can be costly as well. If you have decided to replace your system and already have a gas system, is there any reason you should consider an electric water heater? We’ve shared some of the benefits of such a system below.

Tags: Electric Water Heaters, Lacey
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Signs of Long-Term Drain Clogs

Monday, April 4th, 2016

Clogs in your drain are hardly uncommon and residents of Lacey, WA will have to deal with them sooner or later. We usually recommend a professional plumber for such situations, though mild clogs can sometimes be undone by a store-bought solution. More troubling is the reoccurrence of clogs over the course of time, when it seems like every week or so you’re dealing with a back-up in your system. This is definitely a sign that something is amiss, and you definitely need a plumber to get ahold of the problem properly. Long-term clogs can be caused by damage to the pipes, from general corrosion, or from older clogs that weren’t cleared away properly (one of the reasons why we recommend professional service for every clog). Signs of long-term drain clogs can take on many forms, and can include the following:

Tags: Drain Cleaning, Lacey
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What to Look for in a Commercial Plumbing Specialist

Monday, March 7th, 2016

Commercial plumbing systems are much different than residential systems in a number of ways. They must often support more people for starters, and in the case of buildings with more than one floor they need to compensate for bathrooms and other facilities on higher floors. In the case of restaurants and other food preparation services, the plumbing needs to accommodate the health codes and be able to support a fully operating business. Those are just a few of the distinctions, and where there are plenty of plumbers here in Lacey, WA, not all of them have the expertise in commercial plumbing that you need to do the job right. If you own a business or manage a commercial space, you want a commercial plumbing specialist to solve your issues, not simply a “plumber.” Here are some things to look for in such a specialist.

Tags: Commercial Plumbing, Lacey
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Signs of a Sewer Line Leak

Monday, February 29th, 2016

In and of themselves, leaks in your sewer line should be fairly easy to fix. It’s just a pipe after all, and pipes spring leaks all the time. But because it’s buried in the ground beneath your yard, it can often go days, weeks or even months before you notice something is wrong, and by then the damage can be considerable. Repairing sewer line leaks has gotten easier here in Lacey, WA thanks to the advent of trenchless technology, but even so, the sooner you can spot the problem, the better. If you can notice the signs of a sewer leak before the issue gets too far, you have a better chance to repair it before it can cause you too much heartache.

Tags: Lacey, Sewer Line
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Kitchen Remodeling Options: Upgrading Your Fixtures

Friday, January 16th, 2015

The kitchen is a room in the home that is central to your family life or for entertaining guests. People tend to gather around the kitchen to discuss the day’s events while cooking or cleaning. The kitchen is where you can prepare the healthy meals that will help you to make a major lifestyle change or where you can bake a warm dessert to relax after a long day.

Regardless of how you enjoy your kitchen, you want a space that’s welcoming, stylish, and easy to use. And the fixtures in your kitchen can help make it easier to prepare meals and make guests feel right at home. The following guide includes a few different ways you may decide to upgrade your kitchen fixtures when you decide on kitchen remodeling.

The Sink

A central decision in how your kitchen will be designed involves the look of the kitchen sink. Perhaps you want a double bowl so that you have more room for cleanup. Or maybe you’d prefer a stylish granite single bowl to allow for more counter space. Whatever your choice, make sure you work with a skilled contractor who can decide whether some plumbing fixtures need to be moved around to accommodate this new design. If you’d like more space underneath the sink for storage, for example, you may need a plumber to install some additional piping to move the sink higher up.

Under the Sink

You may also want to think about the fixtures that will go under the sink. It’s easiest to install a garbage disposal during your new sink installation than to schedule it as an afterthought, for example. And it’s also important to think about additional plumbing installations beforehand, like an under-sink water filtration system or even a built-in soap dispenser.

The Dishwasher

Finally, when you decide to upgrade your dishwasher, you should first check with the contractor to make sure that the unit fits in with the plumbing system and is in line with your new kitchen design. A contractor is able to make the proper measurements now so that you don’t end up discovering that your original design scheme isn’t going to work after you’ve already had the unit shipped.

You should always work with a trained contractor when choosing the fixtures that will fit into your new kitchen remodeling in Lacey. Call Brooks Plumbing to talk about your remodeling needs today.

Tags: Kitchen Remodeling, Lacey
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Signs of Trouble with Your Water Heater

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

You don’t want to be caught on a Monday morning with a shower that suddenly can’t produce enough hot water—or perhaps any hot water. When a water heater fails, it can mean a few days of discomfort for you and your family until a new one is installed.

Luckily, water heaters usually send warning signs that they are experiencing problems that call for immediate repairs to prevent a full failure. If you notice any of the problems below, get in contact with a repair specialist right away. You will be glad you took action sooner rather than later.

Since 1994, Brooks Plumbing has installed, repaired, and maintained water heaters. You can trust us with whatever problems you have with your home’s hot water supply and your water heater in Lacey, WA.

Warnings of a water heater that might be in trouble

Discolored water: If you turn on a hot water tap, and rust-colored water flows out, similar to what you might see after a long vacation, then the heater is either developing rust or has a build-up of sediment inside its tank. Rust needs to be remedied as soon as possible, or the whole water tank will need replacement. Excess sediment will require that technicians flush out the tank. If the sediment remains, it could start to block the valves in the tank.
The water isn’t as warm as before: When you notice that the water coming out of a hot water tap is lukewarm and not up to the temperature level you expect, a number of problems might be afflicting the water heater, such as reduced gas power to the jets or a broken mixing valve. These problems will almost always worsen, so have professionals on the job as soon as possible.
The hot water runs out too fast: On occasions when the hot water supply cuts off before it should, the issue is often due to a broken dip tube inside the tank, which will deposit cold water near the top of the tank and mix it with the hot water that the circulator pump sends out to the taps. The technicians can fix the dip tube and restore your hot water to its regular amount.

For any of the above problems, it’s possible that the heater has simply aged past the point where it can work efficiently and effectively, and the only “repair” that will stick is to replace the system with a new one. Your water heater repair technician will give you a set of options and help you select the one that will benefit your home and budget the most.

For honest answers and quality work for your water heater in Lacey, WA, call Brooks Plumbing today. We service both storage and tankless water heaters.

Tags: Lacey, Water Heater
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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

Tags: Lacey, Plumbing
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Plumbing FAQ: How Can I Use Water More Efficiently?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Lacey, WA area are always looking for ways to improve their energy efficiency. As one of the leading plumbing companies in the area, we are often asked how to use water more efficiently throughout the home. While repairing any leaks is a first step, there are further steps you can take as well. We’d like to review a few of these in this week’s post. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For professional Lacey, WA plumbing services, call the experts at Brooks Plumbing today!

Install a low-flow toilet. Also known as a low-fllow toilet, a low-flow device can save you substantial amounts of water. Your toilet is responsible for nearly one-third of your water consumption. As one of the most used plumbed appliances, it tends to use a lot of water; a standard toilet uses about 3.5 gallons of water per flush. Take a minute and think of dumping even 3 plastic gallon containers down the drain every time you flush. If it seems like a lot (and it is), consider a low-flow toilet. It cuts your toilet water usage in less than half, down to 1.7 gallons per flush. Considering how much you use your toilet, installing a low flow appliance may end up saving you significant money in the long term.
Fill up your dishwasher. Running your dishwasher when it’s only partially full not only increases the wear and tear on your device, it also wastes water that could be used elsewhere. Taking simple steps such as this throughout the household can help you eliminate water inefficiency.
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your plumbed appliances by using energy efficient attachments and modifications. Their combined use can greatly improve your water efficiency throughout the household.

Saving water is not only good for your utility bill, but also for the surrounding environment. If you’d like to learn more about how to improve your energy efficiency throughout the home, call the Lacey, WA plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing today! Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

Tags: Lacey, Low Flow Toilet, Plumbing
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