Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Olympia’

Plumber Tip: Common Kitchen Plumbing Problems

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Indoor plumbing is one of the truly outstanding modern luxuries that homeowners enjoy. It is difficult for most of us to imagine living without running water and a piping system to dispose of wastewater. Every time you wash your hands, take a shower, do the laundry or use the toilet, you depending upon the success operation of you plumbing system. Like any other system in your home, your plumbing system is going to experience problems from time to time. Your kitchen plumbing in particular is heavily used and, frequently, abused. Here are some of the common kitchen plumbing problems that your Olympia, WA Plumbers at Brooks Plumbing deal with frequently.

Clogged kitchen drains are an extremely common problem that many homeowners have to deal with. In many cases, the causes of clogged drains can be traced directly back to improper use of those drains by the homeowner. It is very important to be mindful of the types of materials you allow to go down your kitchen drain. One important rule to remember is that not everything that is liquid can be safely poured into your kitchen sink. Grease and fat, for instance, are liquids when they are hot. When they get into your drain system, though, they will cool down. When they do, they coagulate and can trap other debris and food particles within your drain. This is a very common cause of clogged drains, and a frequent cause of unpleasant drain odor.

Another problem that many homeowners encounter with their kitchen plumbing is a broken down garbage disposal. Again, simply being a bit more mindful of what you attempt to put through your garbage disposal can help avoid this problem. In addition to grease and liquid fats, avoid putting very fibrous foods, such as celery and cornhusks, through your garbage disposal. They can tangle up in the blades and damage the motor. Very hard items, such as animal bones, should also be avoided.

If you have any issues with your kitchen plumbing, or if you have any questions about your plumbing in general, contact Brooks Plumbing today. A professional Olympia,WA Plumber on our team will be glad to help. Call us today for more details.

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Tips from Plumbers: Benefits of Low-Flow Fixtures

Monday, May 6th, 2013

More and more, homeowners are paying more attention to the impact that their day to day life has on both their budgets and their environmental impact. It may seem impossible to balance the modern conveniences and luxuries we love with our desire to reduce consumption of resources, including water. By taking advantage of modern innovation, though, you can enjoy the same great convenience and luxury as always, while saving resources in the process. Consider the many benefits of low-flow plumbing fixtures in your home. Here is some information from the trustworthy plumbers in Olympia WA at Brooks Plumbing.

As with any investment in your home, there is an upfront cost that comes with upgrading your plumbing fixtures. Once the plumbing installation is completed, though, you can begin to enjoy the potential savings that using less water allows. If you have an old toilet, for example, you may be using more than twice the amount of water per flush that a new low-flow model would use. In order to qualify as low-flow, a toilet must use less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. When you compare that to the 3.5-7 gallons of water that many older toilets use, it is clear to see that there are a lot of savings to be had. Plus, reducing your water consumption is a great way to make your home more environmentally friendly.

Your toilet is not the only fixture in your plumbing system that can benefit from a low-flow replacement, though. Sink taps and shower heads are other areas where you can greatly cut down on the amount of water that you use. By using aerators add air into the water dispensed, you can enjoy the same great performance from your sinks and shower while cutting down on the amount of water used.

Speak with the professional plumbers in Olympia, WA that you can count on with all your plumbing service needs. Call Brooks Plumbing today. We are happy to help you enjoy greater water efficiency in your home. Do not sacrifice convenience for environmental awareness. With low-flow plumbing fixtures, you can have both at the same time.

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Plumber Tip: How To Prevent Plumbing Clogs And Other Common Problems

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Nothing shuts your home down quite like a plumbing problem. Whether it’s a collapsed sewer line, or a major drainpipe blockage, your home can quickly become a health hazard during a clog. While some problems are inevitable, there are some major preventive steps you can take to reduce the change of a clog blocking your wastewater plumbing system. In this post, we’d like to share with you some ways you can prevent plumbing clogs and other common problems. For more info, or to make an appointment with an Olympia, WA plumber, call Brooks Plumbing today!

  • Install a grease trap. Grease, as well as fats and oils, is a major source of plumbing problems in the majority of homes. When we wash our pots and pans in warm water, the grease appears to be liquid, but as it cools, grease solidifies into a gel-like substance, which can quickly accumulate within the interior of your pipes. Installing a grease trap just after the drain to your sink or dishwasher is a great way to reduce the risk of clogging your drains with grease. If you cook a lot, or are otherwise concerned about your kitchen drainpipes, consider a grease trap.
  • Schedule a drain cleaning. Professional drain cleaning is the best preventive measure you can take against the risk of plumbing clogs. A qualified Olympia, WA plumber will have the right equipment and skill-set to approach drain cleaning carefully, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals to ensure that your plumbing remains structurally sound and working well.
  • Install a sump pump. If you’re at all concerned about whether the contents of your basement are safe from water, consider installing a sump pump. Moist and flooded basements are common problems for many homes. A sump pump sits either submerged or upright in a pit at the lowest part of your basement. It’s a great way to protect your belongings, or your basement itself if it’s unfinished.

These are just a few ways you can prevent plumbing clogs and other problems from damaging your home. For more information, or to hire an Olympia, WA plumbing expert, contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip: How to Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Your garbage disposal grinds up food particles so that they can be added to your waste water disposal system, instead of being thrown in the trash. They were designed to reduce the amount of trash in landfills, and to create a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of food waste. But they cannot handle all types of food waste and they should only be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Because of what they’re used for and how much use they get, garbage disposals need routine maintenance just like any other system in the home. We’ve compiled a list of maintenance tips so that you can maintain your garbage disposal at home. If you need professional Olympia plumbing service, however, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Brooks Plumbing today!

  • Avoid certain materials. Don’t thrown bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other prohibited substances down the garbage disposal. Compost them or throw them in the trash. Also, make sure that no non-food items such as silverware or bottle caps are in the sink when you turn on the disposal. These can get stuck within the unit. The first step to maintenance is proper usage.
  • Freshen with citrus. Use lemon or orange peels to freshen up the garbage disposal occasionally. This will help eliminate foul odors from invading your kitchen.
  • Clean the blades. Throw a couple handfuls of ice cubes and a bit of rock salt into your disposal, and run it with cold water to clean the blades. You can replace distilled white vinegar for the rock salt if that’s closer to hand. This helps to remove debris from the blades so that it can operate effectively.
  • Use it regularly. A garbage disposal needs to be used on a regular basis to ensure that it works properly. Because of their proximity to water, unused moving parts have a tendency to rust and corrode when not used regularly.

Cleaning and unclogging your garbage disposal can be dangerous. It’s always better to have a professional come take a look at your disposal unit if you think there is something seriously wrong with it. For professional Olympia, WA plumbing, including garbage disposal repair, call Brooks Plumbing today!

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Kitchen Remodeling Tip: How to Plan for a Kitchen Remodel

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Remodeling your kitchen is a great way to make the house you live in feel more like a home. When you move into a home, you are not necessarily going to love every aspect about it. Even if you have remodeled in the past, tastes and styles change with the times. If you are considering scheduling kitchen remodeling service, contact the Olympia kitchen remodeling professionals at Brooks Plumbing Company. We will work closely with you to ensure that your new kitchen is exactly what you wanted. Here are tips for planning ahead to make your kitchen remodel a resounding success.

First of all, you must have a crystal clear idea as to why you are remodeling your kitchen. Is it a purely aesthetic change? If so, the installation of new fixtures, appliances and even countertops should do the trick. However, if there are problems you have with the functionality of any aspect of your kitchen, now is the time to address them.

If you intend on having new fixtures installed, do you want to upgrade them at the same time? If you want to incorporate a garbage disposal into your kitchen then you must bring that up beforehand. Are you planning on purchasing a new refrigerator? That’s fine, but if part of the reason you are doing so is for the convenience of an icemaker then you may need a water line connection. Depending on your vision for your new kitchen remodel and the condition of your existing pipework, some repiping may even be necessary.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed during this process. Remember, just because you should have a clear idea of the changes you want to make, the timeframe you have in mind and the budget you have available, you do not need to have all the answers. Working with a qualified, professional plumber will help you make the right choices. Contact us today to get started.

The kitchen remodeling pros at Brooks Plumbing Company want to you feel at home in every area of your house. That is why we are so proud of the remodeling services we offer. Give us a call if you are thinking about undertaking an Olympia kitchen remodeling project. Call Brooks Plumbing Company today!

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Plumbing FAQ: Common Sump Pump Problems

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Sump pumps protect our basements from flooding. Because our basements are below ground, they are prone to flood first in the event of a rapid increase in the level of water in the ground. A sump pump is a simple device that removes water from your basement and sends it to a drainage system. Because they are placed at the lowest spot in the basement, in a small pit, they are able to handle water first before it reaches the rest of the basement floor. We depend on them to protect our basement from water damage. Like any other mechanical device, however, your sump pump can require repair at some point in its life. We’ve gathered together a list of some common sump pump problems that may help you. If you need a plumber in Olympia, WA, call Brooks Plumbing Company.

  • Insufficient pumping. Occasionally, your sump pump may be overwhelmed by the amount of water flooding into your basement. It may not be powerful enough, or it may be old and at the end of its service life. It’s important to install only high quality sump pumps and to make sure they are professionally installed. That way, you can be prepared for flooding.
  • Clogged. If your sump pump does not have a lid, dirt and debris can easily begin to fill that space and cause the unit to clog. Alternatively, if your sump pump sits directly on the bottom of the pit, it is prone to clogging.
  • No power. If your sump pump has no power, then it cannot hope to prevent flooding. Your circuit breaker may have tripped or you may have blown a fuse. Maybe you unplugged the sump pump by accident. It’s probably a good idea to install a battery backup for your pump, so that it can continue to work if this happens again.

These are some of the most common plumbing problems. Remember, it’s important to take care of any problems so that your home is prepared for the worst. It’s often impossible to know when flooding is going to occur, so make sure your sump pump is always in good working order. Need a plumber in Olympia? Call Brooks Plumbing Company today!

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Water Heater FAQ: How Do I Know What Type of Water Heater to Install if I Upgrade?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Are you thinking of upgrading the water heater in your Olympia, WA area home? Your first step is calling the water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing for advice and to help you in your selection. We can help you determine the load calculation for the amount of hot water you need to adequately supply your entire plumbing system with hot water. This will help size your new water heater and ensure that you aren’t left without enough hot water for everyone in your home.

Your hot water usage will also help you determine which type to install as your upgrade. There are two basic styles of water heaters: tank and tankless. Most homeowners heat the water in their homes with a tank water heater, but if you find that you run out of water often, you may need a larger tank, a more efficient water heater, or you may consider upgrading to a tankless water heater.

The newer tankless hot water heaters are a great solution if you want on demand hot water without having to wait on the tank to refill, or if you are losing energy in standby losses. If the recovery time on your tank water heater has increased gradually, it may be time for a new one. Replacing a water heater is not an easy decision, but one that can offer energy savings and more reliable hot water for you and your family.

Make sure you hire a professional contractor you can trust. If your water heater isn’t sized correctly, or if another type would benefit you more, you won’t get the most out of your new investment. Call the Olympia, WA water heater specialists at Brooks Plumbing, and get started today! Contact Brooks Plumbing!

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Plumber FAQ: How Video Pipe Inspections Help

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Video pipe inspections are a relatively new piece of technology that Olympia, WA plumbers use. It allows us to see deep down into the plumbing system to find clogs and leaks. This is a huge benefit to us and we wanted to share some of the advantages that it has. At Brooks Plumbing, our plumbers in Olympia, WA offer complete plumbing repair and installation. If your drains are slow, if they’re leaking or If they’re completely clogged, call the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing today!

What Is Video Camera Pipe Inspection Equipment?

If you’ve ever seen a spy move where they slide a thin wire under a door or through a window opening in order to look inside the room—that’s sort of like our video camera pipe inspection equipment. The camera and wire are about the thickness of a pencil and can be fed down into your drains and pipes. Our plumbers have a separate unit with a screen that shows us what the camera is seeing in your pipes. We can control the camera so that we can see any blockages, cracks or clogs that might be down in your plumbing.

What Are the Benefits of Video Camera Pipes Inspections

The main benefit of video camera inspections is information. It allows our plumbers to go into each job with as much information as possible. We can pinpoint where the clog is and what it’s made of. That allows us to quickly attack it and remove it. Instead of having to fish around in your plumbing with a long, metal snake we can just send the camera down the pipe to find out exactly where the clog is.

Benefits of Professional Plumbing Maintenance in Olympia

During regular plumbing maintenance visits, your plumber should use video camera equipment to inspect any suspicious problems with your plumbing. When you have an Olympia plumber inspecting and regularly cleaning your plumbing system you might be able to find small clogs or problems early before they turn into larger, more costly repairs.

Call the Olympia plumbers at Brooks Plumbing if you need any plumbing repair or maintenance. We can work on any kind of plumbing system and fix all kinds of problems. Call us today to talk with one of our friendly plumbers in Olympia, WA. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Water Heater Installation: Tips for Selecting a New Water Heater

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Investing in any new appliance requires a certain amount of research and a lot of decision making. Before a water heater installation in Olympia, you need to know that you have made all of these decisions correctly. Contact the water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing Company to ensure that you get the right water heater installation in your home. Our professional Olympia plumbers have extensive knowledge of both tank and tankless water heaters. Whatever questions you have about your water heater installation, our team will have the answers. Contact us today for more information.

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make about your water heater is what size is appropriate for your home. In order to make this decision correctly you really need to consult a professional plumber in Olympia, WA. There is simply no way for you to be sure that your water heater is properly sized without the input of an expert. If your water heater is too small it will not provide you with the reliable performance you deserve, and if it is too large it will be heating water you simply don’t need. Get the most efficient performance possible from your water heater by ensuring it is the right size for your home.

You will also need to decide whether you want to purchase a tank or tankless water heater for installation in your home. Both have their benefits, so you should consult a professional Olympia water heater technician to decide which is best suited to your personal needs and habits. Storage tank water heaters are very dependable and hold a large reservoir of hot water at the ready. However, they do suffer some standby heat loss as they wait for use. They also require a certain amount of space. Tankless water heaters do not experience heat loss, as they heat water on demand. They can be overwhelmed if hot water is demanded at multiple points of use, though.

For more information about water heater installation in Olympia, WA, call Brooks Plumbing. We are always here to share our expertise. Our goal is to find you the perfect water heater for installation in your home.

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Water Heater FAQ: Can I Install My Water Heater On My Own?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Brooks Plumbing Company has been offering Olympia, WA water heater installation services since 1994. We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service, and we take pride in the work that we do. Installing a water heater should be handled by a professional Olympia plumber. This is not a DIY job for many reasons, namely because you want to make sure that it is installed properly.

There are other reasons that you should only hire a qualified plumber to install your hot water heater. Gas water heaters, for instance, will require services from a certified plumber in Olympia, WA who is licensed to work with gas piping. There are also ventilation concerns that should be addressed by a qualified professional. Never try to install any type of gas appliance on your own. This is mainly for safety reasons, but you also want to make sure that it is installed to provide lasting results.

Professional installations also prevent repair needs. We see broken water heaters all the time that weren’t installed properly, and usually the repair is a result of this. This will cost you more in the long run, since you will most likely have more repair needs further down the road. You may have to even replace your water heater earlier than expected. Always call a professional Olympia plumber to install a new water heater.

In addition to installations, the Olympia WA water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing, Co. can also compare the different models with you and find the most cost-effective solution for your hot water needs. Call us any time to set up a consultation. Contact Brooks Plumbing Company today!

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