Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Olympia’

Common Water Heater Problems

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

Water heaters occupy an “out of sight, out of mind” position in many homes. As long as the hot water comes whenever you turn on the faucet, most people don’t worry about any problems. Issues with the water heater typically arise slowly over time, then spring upon you when you least suspect it. In Olympia, plumber services are often trained to handle water heaters, but you can help by identifying the possible source of the trouble when it arrives. Here is a brief list of some common water heater problems.

Thermocouple/pilot light. The pilot light ignites the gas that heats the water in the heater. The thermocouple serves to regulate the flow of gas, shutting it off in the event of a problem. When the pilot light goes out or the thermocouple won’t function, your heater won’t produce any hot water.
Dip tube. The dip tube runs the length of your water heater tank that moves cold water to the bottom of the tank. The hot water at the top moves into your home through the pipe system, while the cold water is warmed by the heater. If the dip tube has a breach or is broken in some way, you’re apt to get lukewarm or even cold water instead of hot.
Leaks. A breach in the heater tank or troubles in the various fittings between pipes can result in a leaky hot water heater. A repairman will need to hunt down the source of the breach and seal it, or else the problem will likely get worse.
Anode rod. The anode rod prevents rust and other damage to the heater. It slowly dissolves over time. When it doesn’t, you’re apt to discover black or rusty water coming out of your pipes, and will need to replace the spent rod with a new one.

In Olympia, water heater service is provided by the trained professionals at Brooks Plumbing. We handle all manner of common water heater problems, and can deal with replacement and installation operations in the event your water heater needs replacing. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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How Does a Drain Tile System Work?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Water leaking into your home is one of the biggest concerns you may face as a homeowner, especially in Washington State with our heavy annual rainfall. Among the most difficult leaks to address are those that seep into your basement. These leaks in the lowest part of your house can happen in the walls, floors, and the corners outside your house. Unattended water leaks in the basement will soon spread into the rest of the house, and at that point fixing the damage will require extensive work.

We recommend homeowners with basements install a drain tile system combined with a sump pump to siphon away water before it can reach inside their house. You will need professionals to install this system; for expert plumbing in Olympia, WA, call on Brooks Plumbing to get the job done fast and right.

A drain tile system is designed to move water away from your basement and into the sump pump or to a water outlet that leads to the main sewer line. The drain tiles are set into a gravel moat around your basement. Water naturally flows toward the most porous material where it will meet the least resistance, so it will move toward the gravel deposits instead of toward the concrete walls of the basement. As the water enters the gravel, it will flow down into the drain tiles, which are four-inch wide pipes with multiple drilled holes. These pipes move the water away from the basement and toward a pit where the sump pump will take care of removing it, or else it will enter the water outlet.

If a drain tile system receives improper installation, it can back up with water and cause your basement to flood—defeating the whole purpose of having them installed. Professional installers will take the time to locate the best placement of the drain tiles to ensure that they will be able to properly siphon the water away from your basement.

This may sound like a major construction project on your home, but for trained experts the installation is not that arduous or time-consuming. The professional plumbers don’t need to dig up the concrete in your basement: most of the work involves making trenches outside your home. Our expert plumbers at Brooks Plumbing have experience handling drain tile systems. When you need plumbing services in Olympia, WA to keep water out of your basement, make us your first call.

Tags: Drain Tile Systems, Olympia
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Why You Should Consider a Sump Pump

Monday, October 14th, 2013

In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation questions invariably come around to the issue of a sump pump. Ours is an extremely wet climate, and that means we live with a continuous risk of floods and plumbing overflow. A sump pump – placed in a pit in your basement – can be used to prevent flooding in your home and keep your possessions dry. When flooding starts, it enters the pit first, and the sump pump responds by pumping it out of the house. It serves as an excellent last line of defense against flooding, though the start-up costs may make you wonder if you truly need it. Here’s why you should consider a sump pump.

First and perhaps most importantly, a sump pump helps protect your biggest investment – your home – from serious flood damage. That extends not only to the walls, floor and furnishings in your basement, but to the foundation of your house as well. In addition to those immediate concerns, a sump pump improves the resale value of your home: giving it an extra asset that you can use to get more money out of your home when the time comes to sell it.

On a subtler level, sump pumps provide important health benefits by reducing the risk of mold and mildew infestation in your home. By lowering the dampness in your basement, it raises indoor air quality. This is particularly important for household members who suffer from allergies or who have reduced immune systems.

If you know why you should consider a sump pump, the next question becomes one of installation. Sump pumps can be difficult to set up – often requiring digging in the basement floor and careful positioning to function correctly. Accordingly, you should always rely on a professional service to install and maintain a sump pump. In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation services can provide safe and reliable sump pump installation. Brooks Plumbing has the experience and know-how to safely install a reliable sump pump in your home. Call us today to set up an appointment. We’ll explain your options to you and schedule an installation according to your needs.

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Take Care of Those Leaks Before the Cold Season

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

There is no such thing as a “minor leak” in your home’s plumbing. There are small leaks, some so small they are referred to as “pinhole leaks”—but none of these are minor issues you can ignore or try to solve with a bucket and some duct tape. Have a plumber with experience and the best tools fix leaks before the winter arrives, bringing with it the danger of frozen pipes and the worry of losing your water supply when you need it the most.

For help getting those leaks repaired, look to the Olympia, WA plumbing repair experts at Brooks Plumbing.

One reason you need to get leaks repaired is that they tend to worsen over time if left alone. A small leak can easily grow into a large one without necessary repairs. Leaks might also indicate a problem worse than a local pipe break or patch of corrosion: there could be breaks in other spots or an increase in pressure.

Leaks, no matter their size, are a threat to the drywall, insulation, and wood in your house. Exposure to a small but steady drip of water will create rot in wood and ruin drywall and insulation. The damage water does to drywall is particularly quick. You could experience pieces of your ceiling crumbling off, or major structural damage that requires extensive repairs. That “minor” leak could end up a major expense.

Water build-up also encourages mold and mildew growth, especially in drywall. Bacterial growth provides additional damage to building material, such as warping wood. Mold and mildew can also attract rodents, termites, and other pests. Do everything you can to avoid unwanted bacterial growth, starting with fixing plumbing leaks.

Worse than any leaks you’ve detected are the leaks you haven’t detected… much of the plumbing in your home remains out of sight, and a small leak in one of these spots won’t be easily noticeable until it causes one of the problems listed above. When you bring in a professional to repair leaks you’ve discovered, the plumber will also look for other leaks that might have escaped your notice.

Winter can be a miserable time if your house has excess moisture seeping into it. Don’t let a small leak keep dripping away—you’ll risk enormous damage to your house and pipes. Call up Brooks Plumbing right away for Olympia, WA plumbing repair that will give you peace of mind this winter.

Tags: Olympia, Plumbing Repair
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3 Reasons to Call a Professional Plumber

Friday, October 4th, 2013

You’ve got a plunger. A bottle of expensive liquid drain cleaner sits under your sink. In your toolbox is a set of wrenches with a variety of gauges. You may think you’ll never need to call in a professional plumber when you experience clogged sinks, backed-up toilets, or pipe leaks. But unless you’ve got a simple block to fix or you are a professional plumber, chances are strong that you’ll have to call in an expert when your plumbing needs attention.

Here are three reasons to turn to a professional plumber when you’ve got a serious problem. Brooks Plumbing can send out a plumber in Olympia, WA to service your needs quickly and properly.

1. Professionals use the finest tools

The standard plumbing tools found in residential homes—plungers, perhaps a manual drain-snake—can’t compare to the high-end machinery professionals use every day. Hydro-jetters, mechanized drain-snakes, pipe saws, an array of wrenches for all tasks… any plumber worth the title “professional” will have this equipment and more to tackle the trouble that simple tools can’t even begin to solve. Although some of these powerful tools are commercially available, they require expert skill to handle correctly and safely.

2. Professionals can identify specific problems

Sometimes, what seems like a standard drain clog can be something else—something worse, like a broken main pipe. Professional plumbers have years of experience understanding how and why things can go wrong with residential plumbing, and they can get to the root of the issue and know how to handle it. Without a professional, you will likely be stumbling in the dark trying to discover what needs fixing.

3. Professionals won’t create further repair problems

When you try to take on a repair yourself, you put your plumbing at risk if you do something wrong. Strong drain cleaner can potentially damage your pipes, as can trying to use a drain-snake if the job doesn’t call for one. If you start dismantling pipes on your own, you could find yourself unable to fit them back together. You might end up with massive leaks and water flooding into your home when all you started with was a clog a professional could’ve repaired in a few minutes.

The do-it-yourself urge is powerful, and craft hobbyists especially feel the pull to go solo with home repairs. Don’t give in, however—the potential for damage is too great, and you can even put your safety in jeopardy. Get in an expert. In Olympia, WA, a plumber from Brooks Plumbing can give you top-quality service to relieve your worries. Contact us today if you need help!

Tags: Olympia
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Common Signs that You Need Sewer Line Replacement

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

When sewer lines rupture, they can wreak havoc in your household, and while no one likes to consider the costs involved in sewer line replacement, they’re absolutely necessary in order to retain the health and safety of your home. In Olympia, WA, plumbing replacement can be compounded by inclement weather, which means reliable sewer line replacement should take place as quickly and efficiently as you can manage. Here are some common signs that you need sewer line replacement:

Signs in the yard. Sewer lines tend to run through your yard on the way to the civic sewer system beneath the street. (Olympia’s STEP sewer system means there may be a visible holding tank lid in your yard to indicate the line’s location.) If the sewer line ruptures, you may spot a wet patch in your yard where no other wet patch can be found. Or the grass and vegetation around the leak may suddenly look greener and healthier than the plant life around it.
Smells. Nothing says “ruptured sewer line” more than a ripe, unpleasant scent. You might notice it in your yard around the sewer line, or it may come from drains in your house, such as the sink or toilet. Either way, it probably suggests a breach or a rupture in the sewer line.
Drain problems. A blockage in the sewer line could result in your drains backing up, or the water levels refusing to go down the way they should. You may also detect variations in the water levels in your toilet bowl after you flush, or see bubbles rising from the toilet bowl for no apparent reason.

Regardless of the cause of the sewer line problems, you want a qualified plumbing professional to provide sewer line replacement services in Olympia. At Brooks Plumbing, we address the issue with the latest in high technology. Remote video cameras help us pinpoint the exact problem and instigate repairs with speed and efficiency. We are available 24 hours a day for emergencies, and our staff is experienced in handling the rains and wet weather associated with Olympia, WA. Plumbing replacement services need to act with professionalism and care. Call us today and let us show you what a difference that can make.

Tags: Olympia, Sewer Replacement
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Reasons to Consider Replacing Your Water Heater this Fall

Monday, September 16th, 2013

Water heaters in Olympia can be a blessing when faced with our traditional cool rainy environment. There’s nothing that makes the cold and rain less bothersome than a hot bath or warm beverage waiting for you when you get home. That depends on a reliable water heater, and while regular maintenance and upkeep can extend the life of your current unit beyond what it’s intended, sooner or later, you may need to consider replacing your water heater. This fall makes a good time to pull the trigger, since it gives you the benefits of a new water heater before the temperatures get too low. Here are some reasons why such a move might make sense for you:

Your water heater is old. You may have a warranty on your existing water heater and if it’s well maintained, it should last for a long time. If it’s over ten years old, however, and evincing other problems, then replacement may be your only option.
Repairs costs are mounting. If your water heater is showing signs of rust or corrosion, if the pilot light steadfastly refuses to stay lit, if puddle of water repeatedly appear on the floor, or if scaling and sediment build-up are creating problems in your system, the cost of fixing them may no longer be worth the aggravation. While the initial set up fee for a new water heater may be expensive, you’ll see returns with lowered monthly heating bills and a lack of repairs.
The water heater isn’t working. If you use an excessive amount of hot water, you may notice the heat fading over time as the heater works to keep up with demand. If your water heater can’t produce hot water at all and/or multiple service calls can’t seem to fix the problem, then you need to consider a new water heater

When it comes to water heaters in Olympia, WA, Brooks Plumbing has the expertise you need. We’re locally based, so we understand the needs of Washington home owners, and our trained Olympia, WA water heater technicians can install a new water heater before the winter storms arrive. If you have reasons to consider replacing your water heater this fall, contact us to make an appointment today.

Tags: Olympia, Water Heater
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Signs that You Need Whole-House Repiping

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

The water pipes and drains in your home get a ton of use throughout the year brining in fresh water and disposing of your waste water. All of that use can lead to the need for Olympia plumbing repair services but eventually it will likely lead to the need for whole-house repiping. So what can you look for that might indicate that your plumbing is on its last leg? Read on below to find out and then give us a call here at Brooks Plumbing. Our Olympia plumbing technicians can answer any questions that you might have and we can visit your home to take a look at your plumbing and help you determine if repiping is needed.

Olympia Plumbing Tip: How to Tell If You Need Repiping

Keep an eye out for any of the following issues that could signal that you need whole-house repiping services in Olympia, WA.

Water pressure – The water that comes into your home from your utility company is under pressure so that it can travel up in to your home to all of your faucets. Over time, leaks can develop in your pipes as well as corrosion and mineral deposits that reduce the amount of water pressure in your home. This can also be caused by tree roots growing into your water pipes. If you notice a sudden or gradual decline in water pressure, like your washer not filling up fast enough, it could be time for repiping.
Water color – If you notice any kind of rust coloration in your water it could be time for repiping. While rust isn’t harmful to humans, it is very harmful to your appliances and to the rest of your water pipes. Sometimes the rust can be localized at a particular joint where the metal flux that’s used to seal copper pipes has started to rust. But other times the rust could be systemic throughout your home plumbing system.
Home and plumbing age – Sometimes it’s just old age that can cause your pipes to need to be replaced. As your pipes age they will require more and more repairs and while you may be able to replace small sections of the pipe in your home, there’s little to be done for the pipes that are buried in the ground.

When you need any comprehensive plumbing services just call the expert Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing.

Tags: Olympia, Whole House Repiping
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3 Reasons You Need a Sump Pump

Friday, August 16th, 2013

A sump pump is a small pump placed in your basement in order to keep it dry. The sump pump is either submerged in the sump pump or installed on a pedestal above the sump basin, which makes it easier to service. When floodwaters start to fill the pit, the sump pump moves the water out of the building so the basement itself can stay dry. In Olympia, WA, where plumbing systems fight a constant battle against the frequent rains, sump pumps are an absolute necessity. Here are three reasons why you need a sump pump in your home.

Your basement will probably flood sooner or later. Olympia experiences some of the highest rainfall levels in the country, and when the rains come, they tend to stick around a while. That makes basement floods very likely, and when that happens, a sump pump is your best line of defense.
You don’t need to wait for help. With a sump pump in place, the draining starts quickly and continues as long as the pump (and the flooding) holds out. Contrast that to a situation where you need to use a hand pump, or call a plumber to help drain your basement. Time gets lost and if the flooding takes place during a major storm, it could be quite a while before someone can get to you for help. A sump pump in place means not having to sweat out a service call in the middle of inclement weather.
They are relatively inexpensive to install and maintain. While sump pumps require the services of a professional plumber to install properly, the procedure is relatively straightforward, and the up-front costs are minimal. When you compare it to the damages caused by rising flood waters, to say nothing of the fuss and bother of draining your basement after the rains subside, the cost becomes even more appealing.

If you want to install a sump pump in your basement or crawlspace, call upon an Olympia plumber who knows the ins and outs. Brooks Plumbing can handle sump pump installation and maintenance in Olympia. Contact us today to set up a consultation.

Tags: Olympia, Sump Pumps
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What You Should Look For Among Plumbers

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

There are a lot of Olympia plumbers available so how can homeowners find the right one for their home? Here at Brooks Plumbing we are dedicated to our customers’ complete satisfaction and we wanted to put together a description of what you can look for when you need a new plumber. Give us a call if you need any kind of plumbing services or if you have any questions about finding a new plumber.

Olympia, WA Plumber Tips: How to Find a New Plumber

Your plumbing system is a huge part of your daily life and you rely on it heavily in order to carry out many daily tasks. When you need any kind of plumbing services, you want to make sure that your plumber is up to the task and able to provide you with quality services. So what should you look for in a new plumber?

Here’s a quick list:

Licensed – One of the first things that you should look for is a business license. In order to provide plumbing services, each business needs to get a license. This is critical to your search because you want to work with a plumber that is properly licensed with the state.
Insured – Another important thing to look for is to make sure that your plumber is properly insured. This is important because it could protect you if your plumber injuries themselves while in your home.
Warranty – You should find out if your plumber offers a warranty on their work. This is the sign of a plumber that is dedicated to their work and to your satisfaction. It could be that they offer a satisfaction guarantee or a warranty on their work that lasts for a certain period of time.
Third-party recognition – There are a number of different organizations that offer accreditation to businesses that want to show that they offer good services. The Better Business Bureau offers certification for many different types of businesses and the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) also offers certification for businesses specifically in those industries.

If you’re looking for plumber in Olympia, WA, make sure that you call the friendly plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing.

Tags: Olympia, Plumbing
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