Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for the ‘Drain and Sewer’ Category

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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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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