Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Tumwater’

What is a Drain Tile System?

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

Given enough time, water can carve out giant valleys through mountains. It is actually one of the most destructive forces on the planet. That’s why it’s so important that you protect your home from water. One way to do that is with the use of a drain tile system. Also called a French drain or a perimeter drain, these systems are installed around the foundation of your home so that they can drain away any water that might collect against the side of your home and cause damage to your foundation, your slab or your home’s structure. Here at Brooks Plumbing, we have a complete offering of plumbing installation services and we wanted to share a little bit about what drain tile systems are and how they work.

Tumwater Plumbing Installation: Drain Tile System

Drain tile systems are designed to remove water from around your home and drain it away to a place that is further away so that it can’t damage your property. In order to do that, a large trench is dug around your home against your foundation. A plastic sheet called filter fabric is laid in this trench and against the foundation that prevents water from touching your foundation or from soaking into the ground under your home.

After that, gravel is laid on top of the fabric and then a pipe with perforations is laid on top of the gravel. More gravel is added on top of the pipe to allow water to drip down into the pipe. The pipe needs to be installed at a slight angle so that gravity will carry any water down the pipe naturally. Often, metal flashing is installed against the cement foundation to provide further protection from water.

As water starts to flow towards your home it will seep into the pipe and get carried down the pipe and away from your home. The outlet for the French drain also needs to be considered. Many times homeowners have their drain tile system empty onto the street where public drainage and sewer systems carry it away. Other homeowners choose to route the drain tile into a sump pump which then pumps the water away from your house. Call us today for more information about our drain tile system services.

If you have any questions or if your home frequently has floods around it, call the Tumwater plumbing installation professionals at Brooks Plumbing today.

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5 Ways You Can Remodel Your Kitchen

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where food is prepared, eaten and enjoyed; where family members gather to discuss the day’s events; where friends and guests catch up. Kitchen remodeling is one of the major ways you can improve the overall comfort, value, and convenience of your home. Because the kitchen is where fine furnishings, plumbing, and major appliances come together, there are virtually limitless possibilities for your new kitchen. From installing new cabinetry to repiping the entire area to make more room for a new appliance or fixture, you need to find a contractor that can best serve your needs. At Brooks Plumbing, we offer comprehensive kitchen remodeling in Tumwater, in addition to our other plumbing services. Call us today to find out more about how we can improve your home.

Let’s take a look at 5 different ways to remodel your kitchen:

  • Cabinetry. New cabinetry in the kitchen can be a relief. No more drawers that won’t close, doors that stick, or old paint chipping off into the cooking area. New cabinets with new hardware adds a great blend of functionality and design to your home.
  • Countertops with back splash. There is no substitute for a new counter top. When you cook and clean, your counter top is your primary workspace, and it needs to be set-up in such a way as to be right for your needs. A back splash can add life to your kitchen walls, which are subject to water, grease, and other substances during food prep and clean-up.
  • Kitchen sink. A kitchen sink is one of the most important parts of the kitchen. It’s where you wash vegetables before slicing them, and where you scrub greasy pots and pans after a big family dinner. As such, it’s incredibly important that you find one that is the correct size for your kitchen needs.
  • Dishwasher.If your dishwasher is on the brink of failure, or no longer is able to clean your dishware properly, then you might want to consider installing an energy-efficient model in your new kitchen.
  • New pipes. Kitchen remodeling is a great time to make sure that the piping in your kitchen area is in good, working condition. Whether you need to swap out a leaky section or you want to move the pipes around your kitchen, find a plumber who can meet your needs.

Call Brooks Plumbing today for kitchen remodeling and plumbing services in Tumwater, WA.

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Why You Should Consider Bathroom Remodeling

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

Is your bathroom comfortable? Does it function according to your needs? As one of the most utilized rooms in the home, your bathroom is also one of the most heavily plumbed. It is full of pipes and fixtures that allow you to take hot showers, wash your hands, remove organic waste from the home effectively, among other conveniences of the modern home. Considering how much use it gets, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the rooms frequently remodeled by homeowners in our service area. As a full-service plumber, we also offer comprehensive bathroom remodeling services throughout the Tumwater area. Call Brooks Plumbing today when you’re ready to get started on your next plumbing project.

Let’s take a look at some good reasons to consider professional bathroom remodeling:

  • Layout. One of the best ways to alter the comfort and convenience of your bathroom is by changing its layout. Remodeling projects are often done by homeowners who did not have any part in the design of the original home, and may have different ideas as to the best layout of the sink, shower, bathtub and toilet. Depending on what size room you have, there are various ways you can customize the layout to your needs.
  • Design. Another reason to consider professional bathroom remodeling is to change the design of your bathroom, which includes the color of the paint on the wall, the type of shower, what the sink vanity looks like, and so forth. There is no shortage of design possibilities on the market today, so you might want to get some inspiration by perusing some interior design publications.
  • Energy efficiency. Finally, you may want to remodel your bathroom in order to use water and electricity much more efficiently. By installing low-flow faucets and showerheads in your home, you can sometimes cut your bathroom’s water consumption in half. Another excellent option is to install a low-flush toilet, which uses substantially less water per flush than your older toilet.

If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, make sure you hire a professional Turnwater plumber from Brooks Plumbing to help. Our bathroom remodeling experts can help your make decisions along the way.

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Water Heater Repair FAQ: What to Do if You Have a Broken Water Heater

Monday, February 4th, 2013

You probably don’t give too much thought to your water heater. When you turn on the faucet, hot water comes out and that’s that. It’s much more difficult to just forget about your water heater when it breaks down or is damaged, though. That appliance that makes your life so much easier and convenient can also cause some serious headaches when it breaks. Are you prepared to handle the situation if this happens in your Tumwater home? Here is some advice about what to do if your water heater breaks from Brooks Plumbing.

There are a number of different problems that you may experience with your water heater. One of the major issues that a water heater may encounter is a leak. Water heater leaks are very messy and can do a lot of damage. You need to act quickly in the event of leaking water heater.

Cut off the power to your water heater before you do anything. If your water heater runs on electricity just go to the circuit breaker and cut the power to your appliance. If you have a gas water heater find the gas valve supplying the device and close it off.

To avoid turning your basement into a swimming pool you should also shut off the cold water that supplies you water heater. This will prevent the water heater from refilling as water leaks out. You may not be able to stop the leak yourself, but this will help you prevent it from getting any worse.

The most important thing that you can do in such a situation is simply to call your local water heater service provider. A professional plumber will be able to pinpoint the location of the leak and resolve the problem. No leak is too small or minor to merit calling a professional plumber for repair service.

If your water heater in Tumwater breaks, call Brooks plumbing right away. One of our expert Tumwater plumbers will be along to resolve your problem quickly and effectively. Don’t let a broken water heater lead to water damage and other issues. Contact Brooks Plumbing today for Tumwater water heater repair services.

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Water Heater FAQ: Why is My Tankless Water Heater Underperforming?

Monday, January 21st, 2013

Tankless water heaters are a great addition to many homes throughout the Tumwater, WA area. They offer many benefits over traditional tank water heaters. However, we often get calls from people that their tankless water heater isn’t providing them with enough hot water or that it is working inefficiently. At Brooks Plumbing, we’ve been providing quality plumbing services in Tumwater for almost 2 decades. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the most common reasons why your tankless water heater might be underperforming.

Gas Supply Problem

Tankless water heaters work very well when there is low to medium demand. When there is very high demand, tankless water heaters tend to experience problems. Tankless water heaters work by heating up water very quickly which a lot of gas. The gas line into your tankless water heater allows for a much higher flow of fuel. If there is a high demand on your water heater, as there is during high demand, the flow of gas might not be sufficient and the unit will shut down.

Tankless Water Heater Exhaust Vent

Your tankless water heater monitors the heat of the exhaust that is flowing out of it. The reason for that is because the exhaust from your tankless system can get very hot and needs to be exhausted very quickly. If that doesn’t happen properly, the unit will shut down.

Corrosion

Many high efficiency tankless water heaters can form condensation in the exhaust vent. This condensation is highly toxic and corrosive. Normally, the condensation is collected and drained away from the system. But if it drips down the system it can cause a lot of damage.

Hard Water

If your home has hard water, mineral deposits can build up in the system and cause huge problems. It can even lead to the system failing completely.

If you’re having issues with your tankless water heater, call the Tumwater Water Heater experts at Brooks Plumbing .We have years of experience offering services for tankless water heaters in Tumwater. Call us today!

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Sewer Repair FAQ: What Causes Sewer Lines to Break?

Monday, November 26th, 2012

Roots from trees and plants are the most frequent cause of sewer line damage in the Tumwater area. Plant roots may seem harmless, but as they slowly grow beneath the soil they can work their way into any crack or fissure in their path. The juncture of two sewer pipes, particularly older pipes that may have settled and separated a bit, are particularly susceptible to root invasion.

When tiny, sensitive root tips work their way into a microscopic fissure in a pipe, they begin to grow and expand, gradually opening the fissure.  Over months and years, the pressure from a growing root can create a large crack in a sewer pipe. The root itself can thicken inside the pipe, slowly choking it off.

Other less frequent causes of sewer line breaks are settling of the ground, nearby construction, or incorrect installation. Any of those things can cause a sewer pipe to slowly crack open or fracture at a joint.

Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement

Fortunately, broken sewer lines no longer need to be a catastrophic event to area homeowners. Brooks Plumbing now provides leading edge video technology to quickly locate the source of the break, and trenchless technology to replace the line.

Trenchless sewer line replacement means that Brooks Plumbing’s expert staff does not have to dig a long, deep slit trench across your property to expose the damaged sewer line. Instead, we make a small hole and excavate horizontally beneath the surface of your property. There’s no disruption of your lawn or landscaping, and no drilling of walks and driveways.

Trenchless technology uses the same technique successfully developed for laying pipelines and cables beneath the surface in large tracts of land where excavating a trench would not be possible. It is a time-tested technique that is efficient and less expensive than traditional ditch digging and back filling. If you need to replace the sewer line on your property, call Brooks Plumbing. Our professional staff have years of experience repairing sewer lines in the Woolwich Township area. When a sewer line breaks, you need a safe, fast, honest solution. Call Brooks Plumbing today.

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Plumber’s Tip: Bathtub Drain Clogs

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

When we think of clogged drains and plumbing problems, we most frequently think of toilets and kitchen sinks, but one of the most common drains to cause problems your Tumwater home is probably the bathtub. To avoid drain problems and to help fix any problems that might crop up, here are some tips for how to handle your finicky bathtub drain.

  • How the Bathtub Drain Works – A bathtub drain works the same as the other drains in your home with a simple trap that ensures the safe transfer of water out of your home and blockage of sewer gasses from getting into your home. The drain itself is frequently open with a small crack – roughly a quarter inch – beneath a larger drain plug that can be lowered when you fill the tub. While the space is not large enough for objects like a bar of soap to enter, it is plenty large enough for hair, soap scum, and other small objects from a bath or shower to enter and start clogging that trap.
  • Cleaning the Drain – To cut down on how much hair and gunk actually gets into the drain you should take off the entire drain mechanism once a week and remove any excess hair. You should also use some form of wire device like a bent coat hanger or scrubber to reach in and remove any hair you can reach. There are specific plumbing devices to help with this as well, but a hanger works just fine assuming you do not have a heavy clog. It is also a good idea to run boiling water through your drain once every week to clear out any soap and hair build up. While most soap is water soluble, it can create a thick, greasy clog when combined with hair. Hot water can help to remove it before a clog occurs.
  • If a Clog Occurs – If a clog does occur, you should use the hot water method along with a plunger to try and clear out as much of the clog as possible. Avoid chemical use at all costs. Bathrooms are usually small rooms and even with the fan on, the fumes can be dangerous and the chemicals caustic on your pipes and tub. Baking soda and vinegar often help for small clogs, but otherwise, you should move on to a snake for physical clog removal.

If you have a clog deeper than the snake can reach or that you simply cannot affect with the tools listed above, it may be necessary to call a Tumwater professional who can track your clog into the pipes and find where the root of the problem is. It might be just too deep in your drainage pipe or it could be a completely different area of your plumbing system.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! We are very thankful for all of our customers; you really make what we do worthwhile. We hope you all have a great holiday and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving feast! And if you are looking for some dessert ideas, here is a recipe for pumpkin pie from allrecipes.com that will make today a little sweeter:

Mrs. Sigg’s Fresh Pumpkin Pie

“A mixture of fresh pumpkin puree, brown sugar, spices, evaporated milk and eggs is poured into a prepared pie crust and baked. ”

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 sugar pumpkin
  • 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Place cut side down on a cookie sheet lined with lightly oiled aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when poked with a fork. Cool until just warm. Scrape the pumpkin flesh from the peel. Either mash, or puree in small batches in a blender. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C.)
  2. In a large bowl, slightly beat eggs. Add brown sugar, flour, salt, 2 cups of the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and evaporated milk. Stir well after each addition.
  3. Pour mixture into the unbaked pastry shell. Place a strip of aluminum foil around the edge of the crust to prevent over browning.
  4. Bake 10 minutes at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake an additional 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove the strip of foil about 20 minutes before the pie is done so that the edge of the crust will be a light golden brown. Cool pie, and refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

For more details, click here.

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