Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for October, 2013

Common Water Heater Problems

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

Water heaters occupy an “out of sight, out of mind” position in many homes. As long as the hot water comes whenever you turn on the faucet, most people don’t worry about any problems. Issues with the water heater typically arise slowly over time, then spring upon you when you least suspect it. In Olympia, plumber services are often trained to handle water heaters, but you can help by identifying the possible source of the trouble when it arrives. Here is a brief list of some common water heater problems.

Thermocouple/pilot light. The pilot light ignites the gas that heats the water in the heater. The thermocouple serves to regulate the flow of gas, shutting it off in the event of a problem. When the pilot light goes out or the thermocouple won’t function, your heater won’t produce any hot water.
Dip tube. The dip tube runs the length of your water heater tank that moves cold water to the bottom of the tank. The hot water at the top moves into your home through the pipe system, while the cold water is warmed by the heater. If the dip tube has a breach or is broken in some way, you’re apt to get lukewarm or even cold water instead of hot.
Leaks. A breach in the heater tank or troubles in the various fittings between pipes can result in a leaky hot water heater. A repairman will need to hunt down the source of the breach and seal it, or else the problem will likely get worse.
Anode rod. The anode rod prevents rust and other damage to the heater. It slowly dissolves over time. When it doesn’t, you’re apt to discover black or rusty water coming out of your pipes, and will need to replace the spent rod with a new one.

In Olympia, water heater service is provided by the trained professionals at Brooks Plumbing. We handle all manner of common water heater problems, and can deal with replacement and installation operations in the event your water heater needs replacing. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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How Does a Drain Tile System Work?

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

Water leaking into your home is one of the biggest concerns you may face as a homeowner, especially in Washington State with our heavy annual rainfall. Among the most difficult leaks to address are those that seep into your basement. These leaks in the lowest part of your house can happen in the walls, floors, and the corners outside your house. Unattended water leaks in the basement will soon spread into the rest of the house, and at that point fixing the damage will require extensive work.

We recommend homeowners with basements install a drain tile system combined with a sump pump to siphon away water before it can reach inside their house. You will need professionals to install this system; for expert plumbing in Olympia, WA, call on Brooks Plumbing to get the job done fast and right.

A drain tile system is designed to move water away from your basement and into the sump pump or to a water outlet that leads to the main sewer line. The drain tiles are set into a gravel moat around your basement. Water naturally flows toward the most porous material where it will meet the least resistance, so it will move toward the gravel deposits instead of toward the concrete walls of the basement. As the water enters the gravel, it will flow down into the drain tiles, which are four-inch wide pipes with multiple drilled holes. These pipes move the water away from the basement and toward a pit where the sump pump will take care of removing it, or else it will enter the water outlet.

If a drain tile system receives improper installation, it can back up with water and cause your basement to flood—defeating the whole purpose of having them installed. Professional installers will take the time to locate the best placement of the drain tiles to ensure that they will be able to properly siphon the water away from your basement.

This may sound like a major construction project on your home, but for trained experts the installation is not that arduous or time-consuming. The professional plumbers don’t need to dig up the concrete in your basement: most of the work involves making trenches outside your home. Our expert plumbers at Brooks Plumbing have experience handling drain tile systems. When you need plumbing services in Olympia, WA to keep water out of your basement, make us your first call.

Tags: Drain Tile Systems, Olympia
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Why You Should Consider a Sump Pump

Monday, October 14th, 2013

In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation questions invariably come around to the issue of a sump pump. Ours is an extremely wet climate, and that means we live with a continuous risk of floods and plumbing overflow. A sump pump – placed in a pit in your basement – can be used to prevent flooding in your home and keep your possessions dry. When flooding starts, it enters the pit first, and the sump pump responds by pumping it out of the house. It serves as an excellent last line of defense against flooding, though the start-up costs may make you wonder if you truly need it. Here’s why you should consider a sump pump.

First and perhaps most importantly, a sump pump helps protect your biggest investment – your home – from serious flood damage. That extends not only to the walls, floor and furnishings in your basement, but to the foundation of your house as well. In addition to those immediate concerns, a sump pump improves the resale value of your home: giving it an extra asset that you can use to get more money out of your home when the time comes to sell it.

On a subtler level, sump pumps provide important health benefits by reducing the risk of mold and mildew infestation in your home. By lowering the dampness in your basement, it raises indoor air quality. This is particularly important for household members who suffer from allergies or who have reduced immune systems.

If you know why you should consider a sump pump, the next question becomes one of installation. Sump pumps can be difficult to set up – often requiring digging in the basement floor and careful positioning to function correctly. Accordingly, you should always rely on a professional service to install and maintain a sump pump. In Olympia, WA, plumbing installation services can provide safe and reliable sump pump installation. Brooks Plumbing has the experience and know-how to safely install a reliable sump pump in your home. Call us today to set up an appointment. We’ll explain your options to you and schedule an installation according to your needs.

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Take Care of Those Leaks Before the Cold Season

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

There is no such thing as a “minor leak” in your home’s plumbing. There are small leaks, some so small they are referred to as “pinhole leaks”—but none of these are minor issues you can ignore or try to solve with a bucket and some duct tape. Have a plumber with experience and the best tools fix leaks before the winter arrives, bringing with it the danger of frozen pipes and the worry of losing your water supply when you need it the most.

For help getting those leaks repaired, look to the Olympia, WA plumbing repair experts at Brooks Plumbing.

One reason you need to get leaks repaired is that they tend to worsen over time if left alone. A small leak can easily grow into a large one without necessary repairs. Leaks might also indicate a problem worse than a local pipe break or patch of corrosion: there could be breaks in other spots or an increase in pressure.

Leaks, no matter their size, are a threat to the drywall, insulation, and wood in your house. Exposure to a small but steady drip of water will create rot in wood and ruin drywall and insulation. The damage water does to drywall is particularly quick. You could experience pieces of your ceiling crumbling off, or major structural damage that requires extensive repairs. That “minor” leak could end up a major expense.

Water build-up also encourages mold and mildew growth, especially in drywall. Bacterial growth provides additional damage to building material, such as warping wood. Mold and mildew can also attract rodents, termites, and other pests. Do everything you can to avoid unwanted bacterial growth, starting with fixing plumbing leaks.

Worse than any leaks you’ve detected are the leaks you haven’t detected… much of the plumbing in your home remains out of sight, and a small leak in one of these spots won’t be easily noticeable until it causes one of the problems listed above. When you bring in a professional to repair leaks you’ve discovered, the plumber will also look for other leaks that might have escaped your notice.

Winter can be a miserable time if your house has excess moisture seeping into it. Don’t let a small leak keep dripping away—you’ll risk enormous damage to your house and pipes. Call up Brooks Plumbing right away for Olympia, WA plumbing repair that will give you peace of mind this winter.

Tags: Olympia, Plumbing Repair
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3 Reasons to Call a Professional Plumber

Friday, October 4th, 2013

You’ve got a plunger. A bottle of expensive liquid drain cleaner sits under your sink. In your toolbox is a set of wrenches with a variety of gauges. You may think you’ll never need to call in a professional plumber when you experience clogged sinks, backed-up toilets, or pipe leaks. But unless you’ve got a simple block to fix or you are a professional plumber, chances are strong that you’ll have to call in an expert when your plumbing needs attention.

Here are three reasons to turn to a professional plumber when you’ve got a serious problem. Brooks Plumbing can send out a plumber in Olympia, WA to service your needs quickly and properly.

1. Professionals use the finest tools

The standard plumbing tools found in residential homes—plungers, perhaps a manual drain-snake—can’t compare to the high-end machinery professionals use every day. Hydro-jetters, mechanized drain-snakes, pipe saws, an array of wrenches for all tasks… any plumber worth the title “professional” will have this equipment and more to tackle the trouble that simple tools can’t even begin to solve. Although some of these powerful tools are commercially available, they require expert skill to handle correctly and safely.

2. Professionals can identify specific problems

Sometimes, what seems like a standard drain clog can be something else—something worse, like a broken main pipe. Professional plumbers have years of experience understanding how and why things can go wrong with residential plumbing, and they can get to the root of the issue and know how to handle it. Without a professional, you will likely be stumbling in the dark trying to discover what needs fixing.

3. Professionals won’t create further repair problems

When you try to take on a repair yourself, you put your plumbing at risk if you do something wrong. Strong drain cleaner can potentially damage your pipes, as can trying to use a drain-snake if the job doesn’t call for one. If you start dismantling pipes on your own, you could find yourself unable to fit them back together. You might end up with massive leaks and water flooding into your home when all you started with was a clog a professional could’ve repaired in a few minutes.

The do-it-yourself urge is powerful, and craft hobbyists especially feel the pull to go solo with home repairs. Don’t give in, however—the potential for damage is too great, and you can even put your safety in jeopardy. Get in an expert. In Olympia, WA, a plumber from Brooks Plumbing can give you top-quality service to relieve your worries. Contact us today if you need help!

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