Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for September, 2013

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

Signs That Your Water Heater Might Need To Be Serviced

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

There are few appliances in your home that get as much use as your home’s water heater. This near-constant use can eventually lead to the need for repairs and services for your water heater. If you need a Tumwater plumber , make sure that you call the experts at Brooks Plumbing. We offer a full range of water heater repair services and we wanted to alert our customers to some of the signs to watch for that could indicate that their water heater is in trouble.

Tumwater Plumber Tip: Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service

Check out a few common indicators that would suggest you need a Tumwater plumber to service your water heater:

  • Leaks – One of the most common problems that homeowners face when it comes to their water heater is leaks. Any appliance that deals with a lot of water will eventually spring a leak. Your water heater can start to leak from the gaskets, the valves and even from the tank itself if the pressure inside builds up too much.
  • Not enough hot water – Another very common issue is insufficient hot water. If you aren’t getting enough hot water, it could be that your water heater isn’t large enough. But it could also be that the dip tube has come loose and all the cold water coming into your water heater is entering at the top. The water heater’s burner could also be out or the thermostat could be faulty.
  • Noises – If your water heater is making any unusual noises, it likely means that it needs service. Rumbling is a common sound that is produced when minerals or sediment get deposited on the bottom of your tank and form a thick layer. The noise is generated by bubbles forming under the layer when the burner turns on.

If you’re having any issues with your water heater, make sure that you call for a Tumwater plumber from Brooks Plumbing. We have years of experience and can work on any type of problem that you might be having.

Continue Reading

We Wish You a Happy Labor Day

Monday, September 2nd, 2013

On every project that we complete, we ensure that our customers are satisfied. We take pride in the work that we do every day, and this level of diligence and attention to detail has allowed us to grow over the years. On the first Monday of every September, our country celebrates Labor Day as a way of recognizing the hard work that has made this country great. Because making your home more comfortable and convenient is our business, we want you to have an enjoyable and pleasant Labor Day.

Labor Day is a time of good BBQ, the start of the professional and college football seasons, entertainment with family and friends, and, most importantly, taking a day off from work. Labor Day emerges as a federal holiday in the wake of the Pullman Strike of 1894. It was designated as such by President Grover Cleveland and Congress as a way to reconcile the damage done by the faceoff between the Federal government and the Pullman Palace Car Company workers and other railroad workers. But over a decade before it became official, Labor Day began as a workers’ picnic and demonstration suggested by either Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union of New York.

From our family to yours, we wish you all the best on this Labor Day.

Continue Reading