Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Drain Cleaning’

How Video Pipe Inspection Can Help You

Monday, May 27th, 2019

Your plumbing system is quite large, quite complex, and quite hidden from view. So, how is it that plumbers are able to pinpoint even the smallest issues? Surely, it’s impossible to spot pinpoint leaks in pipes hidden beneath floors and behind walls, right?

When you encounter problems with your drains, pipes, or even your main sewer line, you don’t want a plumber coming into your home and tearing your property apart. So, it is for this reason that plumbers now use video pipe inspection. This technology allows plumbers to see every detail of your plumbing system to locate an issue without ever having to dig through drywall or unhinge a floorboard to get to it. Below, we will explain how video pipe inspection works and how you can benefit from these services.

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Here’s Why You Should Invest in Hydro-Jetting

Monday, February 4th, 2019

Leaks and clogs in your plumbing system can wreak havoc on your home and property. Of course, many issues can go unnoticed simply because the majority of your plumbing system is tucked away behind walls and underneath floors. This is why it is especially important that you receive Olympia plumbing services regularly to avoid the costs and damages associated with major plumbing issues.

The best way to keep your plumbing out of harm’s way is to tackle problems head-on, both by reducing the risks of them forming and scheduling prompt repairs when they occur. There is one method that plumbers utilize that does both: hydro-jetting. This method of drain cleaning is used both proactively and reactively, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners all across Washington. Keep reading to learn more. 

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Keep Store-Bought Cleaners Away from Your Drains!

Monday, December 11th, 2017

water going down a drainDrain clogs are an unfortunate reality, and one that many homeowners have to deal with at some time or another. However, clogs are also one of those things that people address incorrectly. When a clog develops in a drain, most people reach for some type of store-bought drain cleaner to manage the problem. This is actually not a good way to deal with it at all. Keep reading to learn why you instead want to trust your drain cleaning needs to trusted Lakewood, WA plumbing professionals.

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Drain Cleaning: When Do You Need It?

Monday, August 21st, 2017

clearing of blocked hammered polluted black metal U siphon for wash basin, sanitary devices, plumbing fixtures red special means cleanser with bubbles. For labels of cleaners, printed materialsThe drain and sewer system of your Tumwater, WA home is one of the most important parts of your plumbing system, if not the most important part. If it isn’t well cared for, it can create serious problems for the entire plumbing system. Fortunately, though, it’s actually fairly easy to keep your drain system in good shape.

You need just remember to schedule drain cleaning services on a routine basis. But how do you know when it’s time to do so? Keep reading to learn some of the signs to look for, which indicate a drain cleaning session should be a priority for you.

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When You Need Drain Cleaning, Trust the Professionals

Monday, March 20th, 2017

drain-cleaningThe drains and pipes of your plumbing system probably aren’t something you think about a whole lot. That is, until something goes wrong with them. And even then, you’re likely tempted to go out and by a chemical drain cleaner, or perhaps even attempt drain snaking on your own to remove a stubborn clog.

First off, store-bought chemical drain cleaners can actually do more harm than good—clogging up your drains even further and even causing corrosion. Attempting drain snaking on your own—without the appropriate training, experience, or knowledge of how to use the tools involved—can end in property damage and personal injury. What you need instead are professional drain snaking services in Dupont, WA.

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The Problem with Store-Bought Drain Cleaner

Monday, October 31st, 2016

When your sink or bathtub has a clog, what’s your first instinct? If you are like the average homeowner, it’s likely to go get some store-bought chemical cleaner to use as a tool to eliminate the blockage. Products such as this are extremely popular, and correctly advertised as a “quick and inexpensive” way to relieve your clogged sink, shower, or bathtub.

However, our professional plumbers recommend that you not use them. Why is that, you ask? These chemical mixtures have a variety of severe side-effects that can actually hurt your plumbing, the people in your home, and the environment. Keep reading to learn about why we discourage store-bought drain cleaner.

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Signs of Long-Term Drain Clogs

Monday, April 4th, 2016

Clogs in your drain are hardly uncommon and residents of Lacey, WA will have to deal with them sooner or later. We usually recommend a professional plumber for such situations, though mild clogs can sometimes be undone by a store-bought solution. More troubling is the reoccurrence of clogs over the course of time, when it seems like every week or so you’re dealing with a back-up in your system. This is definitely a sign that something is amiss, and you definitely need a plumber to get ahold of the problem properly. Long-term clogs can be caused by damage to the pipes, from general corrosion, or from older clogs that weren’t cleared away properly (one of the reasons why we recommend professional service for every clog). Signs of long-term drain clogs can take on many forms, and can include the following:

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Do You Have a Drain Problem?

Monday, October 26th, 2015

The drain and sewer system in your home is perhaps the most vital component to a safe and happy household. It removes wastewater and similar contaminants from your house into the Olympia, WA civic sewer system. It likely sees daily use, which means that when problems arise, you need to address it as quickly as possible. The good news is that qualified professionals are standing by to help. But you still need to call them in and you can’t do that unless you can spot the signs that you have a drain problem. We’ve included a brief list of some of the more common symptoms below.

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Why Should I Use Professional Plumbing Services for Clogs?

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Plumbing clogs are a common occurrence and residents of Olympia, WA may be tempted to address them with a store-bought solution. Most hardware stores sell drain snakes, for instance, and chemical cleansers are available in any supermarket. Unfortunately, those products adopt a one-size-fits all approach which doesn’t always solve the problem and may even create new ones. A professional plumber armed with specialized drain snakes can address your clog the right way and ensure that your pipes are functioning exactly as they should.

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Beware of the FOG

Monday, April 13th, 2015

It slides slowly down the insides of your drain, clinging as it goes. When it finally deposits, it hardens into a thick, impenetrable layer that will slow and eventually clog your drain. This slimy, sticky mess is what’s known to professional plumbers as FOG: fats, oils and grease. And once FOG takes hold of your drains, it’s very hard to get it out. But fear not: there is one highly effective tool against all FOG, and that’s professional drain cleaning. The plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing know FOG well, and they have the training, expertise and tools to completely remove FOG from your drains and garbage disposal – all you have to do is give us a call.

Won’t Hot Water Work?

A lot of people will tell you to pour hot or boiling water down your clogged drain to get rid of the grease, but when it comes to FOG, hot water can actually make the problem worse. Why? Hot water melts FOG and pushes it further down the drain; when it cools, it simply re-forms the build-up, but it’s now much deeper in your plumbing system. A home remedy that may work, if the build-up isn’t significant, is a combination of baking soda and white vinegar, but if this doesn’t help, it’s time to call for a professional plumber for drain cleaning.

Tools for Drain Cleaning

Professional plumbers use two main types of tools to clean your drains and remove FOG build-up. The first type is an auger. Also known as a drain snake, augers come in a wide variety of types and widths, but the design of the tool is basically the same no matter what the size. Augers consist of cables that can be snaked down drains. Different types of heads can be attached to the auger, and many augers are motorized to maximize on the power. A second type of commonly-used drain cleaning tool is the hydrojet. Hydrojets are akin to small power washers for your plumbing. Like a power washer, hydrojets use water to scour your plumbing, dislodging FOG and clearing it from the drains.

Has FOG made its way down your drain? Call our experts today, and let them ‘lift’ the FOG with a professional drain cleaning for your Olympia, WA, home!

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