Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for August, 2012

Plumbing Tip: When to Call for a Garbage Disposal Repair

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Normally when something goes wrong with you Lacey home’s garbage disposal it is quite obvious .  Any if you notice any of the following problems, it can be an indication that a call for garbage disposal repair is needed in order to get it back up and in working order.

  • Bad Smells:  When a bad smell happens, it is great to try the easy fixes like putting lemons down the disposal.  However, when those home remedies don’t really do the trick, it’s likely a garbage disposal problem exists under the surface, such as the unit not properly chopping food any longer.
  • Jammed Disposal:  When a disposal jams on something, it is often an item that should never have gone down the drain in the first place.  The force of the disposal stopping abruptly during use while the motor continues to grind on can cause damage that you could never see and which should be addressed by a trained professional.
  • Water Leaks:  When water leaks from a disposal it can either be a broken seal near where the top of the disposal connects to the sink, or it could be a malfunction within the disposal that requires a repair or replacement.
  • Noisy Disposal:  When there is more than normal vibration or humming coming from the unit, it could be a stuck flywheel, or a locked u p or broken motor.  If this noise continues for too long it could permanently damage the disposal, causing need for a replacement.
  • Clogged Drain:  A drain clog below the disposal could mean that the disposal is no longer properly grinding up food.  If simple fixes such as sharpening the blades with a few cups of ice cubes doesn’t work, then there could be a broken blade or something more causing the disposal not to work.
  • Stops Working Altogether:  When your disposal won’t start and pushing the reset button doesn’t fix the issue, there could be an electrical problem, or a problem with the motor itself.

Hiring a qualified Lacey plumber such as those at Brooks Plumbing  will ensure you get the garbage disposal repair you need quickly and professionally.  Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Tip: Reduced Water Flow from Showerheads

Monday, August 20th, 2012

If your showerhead or other plumbing fixtures suddenly have reduced water flow, call the Olympia plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing to take a look at your showerhead and provide the right solutions.

Causes of Reduced Water Flow

When reduced water flow occurs throughout a home, it can indicate that a serious plumbing problem has sprung up which needs to be addressed quickly.  However, if water pressure remains normal throughout your home, and there’s only reduced water pressure in the showerhead itself, it is usually due to one of a few simple causes. The two main causes are lime-scale build-up or a clogged water screen.

  • Lime-Scale Build-Up:  There could be an accumulation of lime-scale, which is actually calcium, a by-product of hard water.  Vinegar is a simple cleaning substance that can take care of most blockages due to calcium build-up.  Specific calcium cleaning agents can also be purchased at the store, but avoid using harsh chemicals, as they can damage the showerhead.
  • Clogged Water Screen:  There could also be a build-up of gravel or other substances in the water screen within the faucet head.  In this instance the showerhead would need to be removed.  The screen should be able to be cleaned and all debris removed so that water flows freely once again, but if the screen is no longer usable even after cleaning, it may be time to replace the screen or for a showerhead replacement.
  • Showerhead Pipe Problems:  If cleaning off calcium build-up and removing clogs from the water screen to not help the low pressure problem, there is likely something wrong with the pipes leading to the showerhead.  In this case, call an experienced plumber to properly diagnose and resolve the problem.

Brooks Plumbing has a team of experienced Olympia plumbing professionals who can help you out with a wide range of low water flow problems. We also find the best solution to resolve the issue. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

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Plumbing Question: Why Is My Hot Water Heater Not Heating Water?

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Hot water heaters that stop working can affect an entire home.  Not only do water heater problems create cold showers, but they lessen the effectiveness of doing simple tasks such as laundry.  The Olympia plumbing specialists at Brooks Plumbing understand the most common water heater problems and can not only help you understand them but provide quick and easy water heater repairs.

Common Water Heater Problems: When the Water Heater Is Not Heating Water

  • Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse: If the circuit breaker has been tripped or blown to the circuit that gives power to the water heater, the water heater will not work.  If there are any blown fuses this will also cause water heater to not heat water.
  • Pilot Light Problems:  If the pilot light goes out, it will cause the water in a water heater to not heat properly.  Because it is a gas appliance it will need to be lit again by a trained professional.
  • Bad Thermocouple:  A faulty thermocouple or other gas control can mean that it fails to open the pilot control valve which would result in no water heating.
  • Faulty Thermostat: If a thermostat doesn’t work properly it will not sense the temperature well and will result in water not being heated to acceptable temperatures.
  • Sediment Buildup in the Water Tank:  If too much sediment has built up inside the water tank, the water will not heat properly.  With proper water heater maintenance any sediment buildup will be addressed by the water heater technician who does the inspection.
  • Water Leaks:  Plumbing connections that are not tight can cause water leaks.  If the water tank itself is leaking it is possible that the entire tank needs to be repaired or replaced professionally.

All of these common water heater problems can be fixed by the Olympia water heater service professionals at Brooks Plumbing. Call us today!

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Plumber’s Guide: Slab Leaks and the Damage They Cause

Monday, August 6th, 2012

If you are a Lacey homeowner and you don’t know what a slab leak is, consider yourself lucky. There are few problems that your home can suffer from that are more inconvenient and worrisome than a slab leak. At Brooks Plumbing we believe that the best way for homeowners to be prepared for problems is to keep themselves informed. With that in mind, here is some information about slab leaks and the potential damage they can inflict on your home.

Slab leaks are extremely problematic due to the fact that they are notoriously difficult to detect. They occur beneath the concrete foundation of your home and can cause serious structural damage. Because of their location beneath your home you will not see a slab leak, but there are some warning signs that you can look for to identify a slab leak. Indicators include:

  • Unexplained spikes in your water bill
  • Unusually low water pressure
  • Sounds of running water with no identifiable source
  • Dampness in carpeting or water stains at base of walls

If you are experiencing any of these problems it is important that you contact a professional plumber immediately. By the time you suspect a slab leak it may have been there for some time, and the damage it can cause will only get worse. Slab leaks can occur in your sewer line or potable water line. The potable water line can cause even more damage as the water is pressurized.

Because this type of leak occurs beneath concrete is important to pinpoint the location before any work is performed. You don’t want to tear up the entire floor of your home to find the source of your leak. A professional Lacey plumber will utilize special equipment as well as their training and experience to make the repair process as painless as possible. If you have any reason to suspect a slab leak in your Olympia area home, call Brooks Plumbing Company immediately. We’ll do everything possible to ensure that the structural integrity of your home is not compromised by the slab leak.

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