Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for October, 2012

Issues with Your Storage Tank Water Heater

Monday, October 29th, 2012

The good news about water heaters that use a storage tank is that they are fairly simply contraptions. They hold a bunch of water, heat it and distribute it the rest of your home. But like everything else in this world, things go wrong. Eventually, you’ll start to have problems with your water heater and you’ll need water heater repair services for your home in Olympia. You should always consult with a professional heating technician about any issues that you’re having with your water heater. While they are fairly simple devices, you could do irreversible damage to your system. Here are a few of the common water heater problems that we see in Olympia.

Water Temperature

If you don’t have any hot water or if the water coming out isn’t hot enough, there are a few things that could be wrong. This could be an issue with the thermostat on the tank. It may have been turned down accidentally or it could be faulty. The other issue could be that the heating element (for electric heaters) or the pilot light (for gas heaters) could be at fault. For a pilot light, it could be that it is dirty. The electric heating element could be broken or the water heater could be unplugged.

Rust Colored Water

If you turn on your hot water faucet and rust colored water comes out, this might be a huge problem. Inside your water heater is a “sacrificial rod”. This rod is made out of some metal, normally magnesium or aluminum, and it sacrifices itself for the sake of your water tank. The rod attracts the tiny electrical current in the water that would normally erode your water tank. But when the rod is consumed, the inside of your tank will start to rust. By the time you start to see the rust flowing out of your water heater, the damage is most likely done. You will probably end up having to replace your water heater.

Stinky Water

If your hot water starts to smell like rotten eggs, this could be caused by a bacterial infection in your water. Sometimes, bacteria can start to grow as they feed on the hydrogen released from your anode rod. If this is the case, a professional heating technician can drain your water heater and clean it to remove the smell.

Noise in the Water Tank

If you start to hear noises inside the water heater tank, this could be due to sediment or mineral build up at the bottom of the tank. As it heats up, it produces popping sounds. A professional heating technician can also help you fix this problem.

If you’re experiencing any of these water heater issues in your Olympia home, call Brooks Plumbing today. We have years of experience offering high quality plumbing services in olympia and would be happy to help you as well.

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Water Heater Tip: Improving Water Heater Efficiency

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Improving the efficiency of the water heater in your Olympia area home will depend on several factors. The type of water heater installed in your home is the first factor, and improving efficiency can be easy if you know what to do.

If you want to increase the efficiency of your water heater, there are a few initial steps to take. If you have questions or would like more water heating tips, call the expert plumbers at Brooks Plumbing. Here are some ways to get you started today on cutting back on the energy used to heat the water in your home and to lower your utility bills.

Installing a high-efficiency tank water heater or a tankless water heater to replace your old inefficient model is only one way to more efficiently heat the water in your home.  You can also make small upgrade, such as installing low-flow faucets and showerheads. Other areas include the dishwasher and washing machine. Use cold water when possible to wash your clothes, and only use the hot temp settings on the dishwasher for heavier loads. Using less hot water means using less energy to heat the water.

You can also lower the thermostat on your hot water heater, which can save you up money on energy costs and reduce the chances of scalding if the water is too hot. Most manufacturers recommend 140°F for water heater thermostat settings. In reality, many people don’t need hot water to be heated above 120°F. Call a plumber or check your owner’s manual if you aren’t sure how to locate the thermostat on your water heater or if you have other questions about proper temperature settings.

If you have an older tank water heater, one easy way of improving efficiency is to insulate the tank. This will help prevent heat loss while the water is being heated at all times. You can find water heater “jackets” easily, but keep in mind that you may need to know the R-value of the water heater tank before you make your purchase.

Call the Olympia water heater specialists at Brooks Plumbing if you have further questions.

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Drain and Sewer Tip: 5 Reasons Why Drain Cleaning Is Important

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Here at Brooks Plumbing, we can take care of all your Olympia plumbing needs, including providing tips for preventive plumbing maintenance. Drain cleaning is one of those important maintenance tasks that many homeowners neglect until it’s too late. Here are five reasons that regular drain cleaning services are a vital part of maintaining your plumbing system.

  • Clearing Buildup and Debris Can Help Prevent Backups and Leaks

When food, grease, or other debris get caught in your drain lines, it can create a number of problems for your drain and sewer system. Overflowing toilets or frequent system backups are a few signs that you could have a major clog in your drain lines, but all too often there’s major water damage by the time this happens. Routine drain cleaning is one way to prevent this. It also helps prevent leaks from clogs near joints or weak spots in the pipe.

  • Drain Cleaning Is a Natural Way to Keep Drain and Sewer Lines Clear

Common household drain cleaners often contain harsh chemicals that can harm your pipe, particularly if they are made of soft metals, not to mention the environmental impact. Using a drain snake is a much safer way to clear out your drains. Our plumbers also use video pipe inspections to help pinpoint the problem and find the best solution for your particular drain and sewer issue.

  • Professional Drain Cleanings Provide an Opportunity to Check for Other Problems

In addition to clearing out all your drain lines, a drain cleaning service allows our plumbers to check for any other hidden issues, such as tree root intrusion or a damaged sewer line. If these issues are caught early, it could help to prevent major water damage or expensive repair or repiping needs.

  • Cleaning Drain Lines Helps to Extend the Life of the Drain and Sewer System

Because of all the reasons listed above, routine cleanings can help extend the life of your plumbing system. Keeping drain lines clear and addressing repair needs before they become major issues can help extend the life of your plumbing system.

  • Preventive Maintenance Can Help to Lower Overall Operation Costs

In addition to reducing repair needs and water damage, regular drain cleanings can lower the overall operation cost of your plumbing system. A clean system is a more efficient system, in addition to the money you’ll save on major repairs or replacements.

Call Brooks Plumbing and let us take care of all your Olympia drain and sewer needs!

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FAQ: What to Look for in the Different Options for Repiping Materials?

Monday, October 8th, 2012

So you’re thinking about repiping your Olympia house. Whether your current pipes have already stopped working or if you’re doing some preemptive maintenance, choosing the repiping material for your new plumbing system is a big decision. There are a number of different materials to choose from and depending upon your budget and your long-term goals, one may be better for you than the other. Here we talk about 2 of the more popular materials to give you some things to think about as you get started.

Copper

Copper is the oldest and most popular material for repiping purposes. Copper pipe is classified by the thickness of the pipe walls. There are three different classes: M, L and K. Type M is very common and has the thinnest walls. This type is popular for large housing developers because it is less expensive. Type L is most common for single-family homes and usually lasts for 40 to 50 years. Copper is very durable and is very good at resisting bacteria growth and corrosion. However, it is very expensive and over time does corrode and can cause your water to have a metallic taste. Copper pipes are also very susceptible to freezing under cold conditions or breaking during earthquakes.

PEX Piping

PEX piping is a relatively new material that has become very popular with plumbers. PEX stands for crosslinked polyethylene. It is a flexible, plastic-like material that is non-toxic, doesn’t freeze, can flex during earthquakes, doesn’t corrode and doesn’t require soldering or joints. It can also last up to 100 years and is completely recyclable. A big drawback, however, is that PEX cannot be used outside or in direct sunlight as ultra-violet light can damage it.

Other Repiping Materials

There are several other repiping materials that are available. Kitec, galvanized and CPVC are just a few of them. Galvanized in particular is an older kind of piping material that is still in use in many homes and is often replaced. Kitec and CPVC were popular choices for plumbers but have fallen out of favor because of their high rate of failure.

Brooks Plumbing has experience repiping homes in Olympia and can help you decide if it’s time to repipe and what material are right for your particular home. Call us today!

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Plumbing Question: How Do I Know if I Have a Leak in My Plumbing System?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Some leaks in your Lacey home’s plumbing are quite obvious, especially if they occur very near the fixture. For instance, if the pipe leading from your kitchen sink drain is leaking, you’ll quickly see water spilling out onto the floor. But because your pipes crisscross your home mostly out of sight, there is always the possibility that a leak will develop in a less-obvious and accessible area.

In fact, it’s often hard to know you have a leak at all, but there are a few tell-tale signs to watch for that can indicate a problem in your plumbing system. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call a Lacey plumber immediately to find the source of the problem and minimize the damage from the leak. These signs include:

  • Lower Water Pressure – Of course, your home may naturally have low water pressure. But any sudden reduction in the pressure of the water coming from taps in your entire home or just in one area indicates a problem somewhere along the line. Even if you see no other outward signs of a leak, be sure to get professional attention right away.
  • Higher Water Bills – If you notice that your water bill has increased without a corresponding increase in your water usage, there’s a good chance that extra water you’re paying for is leaking out of a pipe somewhere.
  • Dampness and Unexplained Puddles – Dampness in any area of your home can indicate a leak as well. And a leak in the main water line leading into your home can often cause puddles to develop in your yard even when it hasn’t rained. If you notice this type of pooling, or if any of your walls or floors feel damp, you should suspect a leak and call a professional promptly.

For any plumbing repairs in the Lacey area, give Brooks Plumbing Co. a call!

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