Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Olympia’

Signs of a Problem with Your Sewer Pipe

Monday, August 17th, 2015

The sewer pipe can be one of the most problematic parts of your plumbing, largely because it’s buried underground and takes a great deal of effort to reach. Add to that Olympia, WA’s traditionally wet weather and resolving an issue with the pipe can be quite tricky. The good news is that trained plumbers can use modern technology such as video pipe inspection to help resolve the issue with speed and efficiency. But before we can do our job, you need to be able to spot signs of a problem with your sewer pipe and respond appropriately. Here’s a short list of common symptoms which you should look out for.

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How to Stop High Water Pressure

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Modern pipes in your home are built to last, especially here in Olympia, WA where our wet weather demands rugged materials for home-building. But when the water pressure in them gets too high, even they might not be able to stand it. The plumbing in most homes is built to withstand water pressure of 80 psi (pounds per square inch) or lower, but the civic water services can sometimes increase that pressure to higher amounts. Hot water tends to exert more pressure as well, since heat expands the water and there’s only so far it can go in the pipes. As you may suspect, this can cause some serious damage. The good news is that there’s ways to prevent it with a little help from a qualified plumber.

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Tanked vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Monday, August 3rd, 2015

If you’re a homeowner in Olympia, WA, you probably have a traditional tanked water heater in your home. But why they do yeoman work, they’re not the only type of water heater out there. Tankless water heaters get rid of the bulky tank in favor of heating the water directly as it flows through the pipes toward your faucet or shower. The model offers a number of benefits over tanked models, though in some aspects, tanked water heaters do better for you than their tankless counterparts. Tanked vs. tankless water heaters: which is better? We’ve provided a quick breakdown below.

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3 Things to Consider With Bathroom Remodeling

Monday, July 27th, 2015

If you’re tired of your old bathroom and/or the façade and fixtures just don’t fit what you need, a remodeling project can perform wonders. Not only does it help you enjoy your home more, but it can provide a solution to a number of tricky problems that affect you every day. (Lack of counter space for example, or a stand-alone shower that lacks a bath.) But before you dive into such a project, you need to think it out carefully to ensure that things go according to plan. Here in Olympia, WA, there are qualified plumbers who can help you out. Here are 3 things to consider with bathroom remodeling that you should discuss with them before you begin your project.

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Things to Consider When Installing a Sump Pump

Monday, July 20th, 2015

We live in Olympia, WA, which means we deal with a whole lot of rain throughout the year. Heavy rains mean heavy flooding, and if you’re a homeowner, you know how much anxiety that can cause. A sump pump, installed in your basement at the lowest point, acts as a stalwart first line of defense. It pulls water up into it and then ejects it from your basement, keeping your home dry and ensuring that your property doesn’t suffer damage. The decision to install a sump pump is a wise one, but here are a few more things to consider before you make the call.

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Common Problems With Commercial Plumbing

Monday, July 13th, 2015

Commercial plumbing differs widely from residential plumbing, both in terms of the amount of use it sees and in the uniquely complex needs of each individual business. For businesses in Olympia, WA, that means dealing with specific problems that differ in many ways from residential plumbing. The plumbing problems themselves aren’t all that different – leaks, clogs and defective pipes are the norm just as they would be in a home. But the solutions require a plumber to take careful measures befitting the system in question, instead of applying the same techniques used to solve residential plumbing problems. Common problems with commercial plumbing can be resolved quickly, but they require a special touch.

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When Do Pipes Need Replacing?

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Pipes in your plumbing system are designed to last for many years, but like any other component of your home, they will wear out sooner or later. Olympia, WA is a rainy community, and rust and corrosion can seep into even the toughest plumbing systems. If you’re a homeowner in the area, you should be prepared to replace pipes when needed by calling on a reputable plumber who knows how to do the job right. But when do pipes need replacing? Here’s a few tips to help you answer that question.

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Why Should I Use Professional Plumbing Services for Clogs?

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Plumbing clogs are a common occurrence and residents of Olympia, WA may be tempted to address them with a store-bought solution. Most hardware stores sell drain snakes, for instance, and chemical cleansers are available in any supermarket. Unfortunately, those products adopt a one-size-fits all approach which doesn’t always solve the problem and may even create new ones. A professional plumber armed with specialized drain snakes can address your clog the right way and ensure that your pipes are functioning exactly as they should.

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What are Drain Tiles and How Do They Work?

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

Here in Olympia, WA, rain is a way of life. And that means drains and sewer lines need to perform as intended on a moment’s notice. Individual homeowners in the area can use equipment such as sump pumps to keep their basements from getting flooded. But sump pumps can get a lot of help with a proper drain tile system installed in your basement. They require professional installation, but can make a huge difference when the waters start to rise and you’re looking to keep your house dry. What are drain tiles and how do they work? Read on for the answers.

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3 Differences Between Commercial and Home Plumbing Systems

Monday, June 15th, 2015

In some ways, commercial plumbing differs little from the plumbing you use at home. There are pipes, there are faucets and fixtures, and there’s a need for both hot and cold water on demand. But beyond the fundamentals, the two types both respond to vastly different needs. A good plumbing service should be able to respond to both types of plumbing, and that starts with knowing the differences between commercial and home plumbing systems. Here in Olympia, WA, that distinction can determine how successful your plumbers are at doing the job assigned to them. Here are some key differences between the two types of system that you should be aware of.

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