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Sarasota & Manatee County, FL

Author: Kevin

Reap the Benefits of Professional Hydro-Jetting Services

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer.

Reap the Benefits of Professional Hydro-Jetting Services

There are a lot of plumbing components and fixtures that you’ll come into direct contact with each and every day, from your bathtub and toilet to the kitchen sink and your garbage disposal. Others, though, like your sewer line, are very frequently in use, but hidden away from view. You may not interact directly with your sewer line — and you probably wouldn’t want to, considering its function — but its overall performance quality is incredibly important to your daily life. 

That is why we strongly recommend that you let us keep your sewer line clean. With our hydro-jetting services in Lakewood Ranch, FL, you can use your sewer line with the reliability that you deserve. Just because your may not think about your sewer line much doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve professional attention!

Why Choose Hydro-Jetting?

For shallow clogs in your drains, a hand auger may be enough to clear it out. More serious clogs may require that your professional plumber use a power auger. When cleaning out a sewer line, though — and there is a big difference between cleaning and clearing — hydro-jetting really cannot be beat.

When we clean your sewer line with hydro-jetting equipment, we use only water in the process. The water is highly pressurized, and is regulated by our team to ensure that it does not damage your plumbing system in any way. With a nozzle that sprays in all directions at once, we can scour the interior surfaces of your pipe, rather than just drill through a blockage with an auger head. This means more long term benefits, and a greatly reduced risk of problems redeveloping.

Not only that, but we have the pipe inspection equipment that we need in order to assess the situation and the work that we are doing, as we’re doing it. We never go into the job blind, because you deserve better than even our best guess. When you schedule hydro-jetting with Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, the job will be done thoroughly and it will be done right. Remember: “Quality doesn’t cost…it pays!”

Call us today at 941-322-1911 and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

slow drain

How to Prevent Slow-Moving Drains in Your Home

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer.

How to Prevent Slow-Moving Drains in Your Home

Clogged drains are a very common problem in homes when it comes to plumbing, and they were even the focus of a recent blog post right here. While we are happy to complete exceptional drain cleaning services for you, we also know that homeowners may want to avoid the problem in the first place  — we certainly would. That’s why we are happy to share some simple tips to help keep your sinks and shower/bathtub from clogging up to begin with so you don’t have to resort to calling a plumber.

Even the most careful of us will likely wind up with a slow-moving drain here and there, of course. When that does happen, we strongly recommend contacting a member of our team. We are always available for thorough drain cleaning in Myakka City.

  • Use mesh screens in order to prevent hair, food particles, and other materials from making their way into your drain. This is easily one of the simplest and most effective ways in which to keep your drains free of clogs. Equally important is that you empty these mesh strainers regularly. Otherwise, they themselves will cause a backup, and you’ll find your sinks and tub draining slowly despite the fact that the drain itself is not clogged!
  • Taking a shower? Be sure to brush your hair right before you get in. That will help to remove any loose hair that may work free during a vigorous shampooing, and prevent it from winding up in your drain. Additionally, consider keeping a small container of water nearby if shaving in the shower. Rinse the razor in this small reserve, rather than under the faucet, and dump it through a fine strainer to keep those whiskers and hairs out of the drain.
  • Remember that your garbage disposal has its limitations. Keep bones, fibrous materials (celery, corn husks), and grease/fats out of the disposal. You can damage it or wind up with buildups that could easily lead to a clogged kitchen sink. Proper use will help to keep everything running properly, your drains included.

Call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today at 941-322-1911 and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

My Sink is Clogged Up, What should I Do?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Uncategorized.

My Sink is Clogged Up, What should I Do?

My sink is clogged up, what should I do?  This type of call comes into every Plumbers office on a daily occurrence.  Sometimes it is the kitchen sink and one side of it drains, but the other side does not.  Other times it may be the bathroom sink that is clogged up or does not drain well.

My sink is clogged up, what should I do?  This is how it is explained to the customer service representative who answers the phone.  First thing to do is to determine which sink in the house they are referring too.  As our office asks questions like, how long has this been happening, which sink is it it, how old is the house, what have you tried to unclog the sink with, is this a re-occurring problem?  This is all helpful information a Professional Plumber would like to know if possible.

My sink is clogged up, what should I do?  Depending on the answers to the above  questions, it can and will help determine the course of action our Florida State Certified licensed plumbers will take to unstop your clogged sink.  Sometimes theses clogged sinks can be a minor plumbing problem or they can turn into major plumbing repairs.  It is best to have a Professional Plumber evaluate your particular situation.  Unclogging a drain with a snake can turn into a nightmare quickly for a homeowner trying to unstop their own drain line.

Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air has been unclogging sinks, tubs and toilets for the past forty three years in Sarasota, Florida.  And a whole lot of those clogs were attempted by the handyman or the homeowner.  We have saved our customers quite a bit of money by having the latest equipment and the newest technology to get them out of a jamb, such as when they get a snake or cable stuck in the drain.

Unclogging a sink should not be on the “honey dew” list.  This should be left to the professional at Wimpy’s.  Call or visit our website to schedule an appointment about your clogged sink.  Find out why our customers they Love Their Plumber!

Telephone 941-322-1911, Web site, www.LoveYourPlumber.com.

How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Work?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

How Does a Reverse Osmosis System Work?

Are you completely satisfied with the overall quality of the water coming from the taps in your home? If not, we strongly recommend that you give our water treatments system specialists a call. We’ll figure out precisely what is wrong with your water, and we’ll help you to find the perfect system for your needs.

One option that is well worth your consideration is the reverse osmosis system. Simple in concept, reverse osmosis systems are among the most effective of all water treatment systems. Read on, and let us know if you think that an RO system in Sarasota, FL is the right fit for your home.

How Does the RO Process Clean Water?

When we say that reverse osmosis systems are simple in design, we mean it. Basically, such systems consist of a semi-permeable membrane, along with various pre-filters depending upon design. This semi-permeable membrane effectively filters many pollutants out of the water, including:

  • Fluoride
  • Lead
  • Chlorine & Chlormamine
  • Pesticides
  • Detergents
  • Nitrates & Sulfates

It is also important to understand that this system requires only the water pressure present in your household already. That is enough to force water through the membrane, allowing for the purification process. This type of system has been in use since the late 70’s, and has only grown more and more common in residential applications.

Other components in the system include a cold water line valve, of course, which allows water to enter the RO system to begin with. The pre-filters will remove sand and other sediments that could damage the RO membrane. A storage tank will hold a few gallons of purified water, which will also pass through post filters to remove anything that has somehow been left behind. Automatic shut-off valves conserve water, and a drain line allows contaminated water to be conveniently drained from the system.

Call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today at 941-322-1911 and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

plumber sarasota

Save Your Terrazzo Floors With Trenchless Technology

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer, Pipe Bursting, Plumber in Sarasota, Plumbing, Sarasota Plumber.

Save Your Terrazzo Floors With Trenchless Technology

Save your terrazzo floors with trenchless pipe repair in Sarasota, FL and the surrounding areas. This method will replace your old plumbing waste lines under your terrazzo floors, without disturbing your terrazzo.  If you are having plumbing stoppages in Sarasota or Bradenton, and your pipes that are old and corroded, then we have the solution if you want to save your floors.

Saving your terrazzo floors with trenchless pipe repair in Sarasota, is very beneficial.  This method of replacing plumbing waste lines is also known as “pipe bursting”.  We find that quite a large number of people in the Sarasota/Bradenton area have older homes with terrazzo floors.  These same homes usually have the original cast iron drain lines under the floor.

Over time these cast iron drain lines rust, corrode and scale.  This will cause paper to catch and build up, thus causing a plumbing stoppage.  There are various methods a Sarasota plumbing expert can go about taking care of your stoppage.  An honest plumber will give you options and explain the pros and cons of each option.

At Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, we are the leading authority on trenchless pipe repair in Sarasota, FL and other forms of trenchless plumbing technology.  We also offer Hydro-Jetting. video camera waste line inspections and of course the old stand by, snaking or rodding out lines to clear plumbing stoppages.  Rest assured, for the last forty three years, the Sarasota plumbing company, Wimpy’s, has always given honest evaluations of our customers plumbing needs.  We use the latest technology to benefit you the customer, so you can make the right choice for yourself.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that is so true when you can see inside your pipes and know what caused your plumbing stoppage.

The team of Sarasota plumbing experts from Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air is here to serve you, the customer. Just call or schedule online! Find out why our customers Love Their Plumber.

burst pipe leak

What Cast Iron Corrosion Means for Your Plumbing System

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

What Cast Iron Corrosion Means for Your Sarasota Plumbing System

These days, materials such as copper and various plastics are commonly used for residential piping. In years and decades past, though, many materials were used that have fallen out of favor in more modern times. Chief among these materials is cast iron.

Now, cast iron certainly has its uses. However, it’s time as a go-to for Sarasota plumbing applications has come and gone. This is due largely to its susceptibility to corrosion. We have fairly corrosive water in our area anyway, so cast iron pipes can be of particular concern. Here are some tips for determining if your plumbing in Sarasota, FL is at risk due to cast iron corrosion.

Cast iron used to be used in a number of applications, including both for main water lines as well as for sewer lines. While rust and corrosion may certainly develop on any pipe, sewer lines do tend to suffer from the issue more frequently due to the nature of the waste flowing through them, as opposed to that of the water coming in through your main water line. It is important to note, though, that every little sign of rust is not an indicator that your pipe is about to burst.

Some external rust is quite common on these cast iron pipes. If the rusted area is not deeply pitted, it is likely — not certain, mind you — that your pipe is still okay. This is due to the fact that pipes generally fail due to corrosion beginning from within, not on their outer surfaces.

A visible crack in the pipe, though, should definitely raise a red flag. Even if it is a tiny crack, with only a little evidence of corrosion around it, you should be dialing for our Sarasota plumbing experts. Keep in mind that you are only going to be able to see a small section of these pipes, if anything at all. The crack you see may look “minor,” but those that you cannot see may be more serious.

Another situation in which to take corrosion very seriously is if you have corroded bumps on the underside of the pipe. This indicates that water is making its way through a leak, and that the pipe is essentially resealing the hole as the iron rusts and expands. These blobs of rust are a sure sign that you pipe is in trouble.

When you need a reliable Sarasota plumber, call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air instead at 941-322-1911 and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

Faucet handle doesn’t turn hot in the shower.

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Bradenton Plumber, Plumber in Sarasota, Plumbing, Uncategorized, Water Heaters.

Faucet handle doesn’t turn hot in the shower.

The faucet handle in your shower that controls hot and cold water coming out of your shower head, has been a popular complaint lately.  Customers call up our office and say that when they turn the faucet handle to hot, it does not get hot.  Is this happening to you?

Our team of plumbers can either explain to you how to fix it yourself or we would be able to send a professional plumber to your home to fix the faucet handle that doesn’t turn hot in your shower.

With the newer style positemp cartridges or the thermostatic mixing,tub/shower cartridges that the manufacturers are using in their tub and shower valve bodies, there is far greater chance of them getting calcified from hard water and not function properly.  When the cartridge gets calcified, it can cause the valve not to work properly, thus the problem of the faucet handle doesn’t turn hot.

This calcification is a slow process and one day, it’s the straw that breaks the camels’ back, so to speak.  When this happens, you will not get hot water out of your shower valve.  This is where maintaining your plumbing system comes in.

The water in Sarasota,Florida comes from our aquifer.  It contains calcium and magnesium.  These minerals make the water hard.  The best thing you can do for your plumbing is to not have these minerals stick to any parts of your plumbing or appliances.  To do this, you can either soften the water or condition the water.  The professionals at Wimpy’s Plumbing will be able to explain which would be better for your specific conditions.

Whether you are on your own private well or you have city or county central water, you should be concerned with your water quality.  You would see a lot less of your plumber since your faucet handle would get hot water a whole lot longer before it needed repair, if you had conditioned or softened water.

Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, is the Plumbing Company that will test your water at no charge and give you an honest evaluation to address your specific needs.

Call today,941-322-1911 or schedule on line at www.LoveYourPlumber.com.

slow drain

Why Do My Drains Smell So Bad?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer.

Why Do My Drains Smell So Bad?

There are a number of different issues that homeowners may encounter with their plumbing systems, many of which we’ve covered before. It’s not all about leaks and a lack of hot water, though. Other issues, like foul smelling drains, may not sound quite as serious, but can be indicative of real trouble to come.

If you notice that your drains are emitting a foul odor, you need to call the professional plumbers on our team right away. There are various causes of this particular problem. Only skilled, experienced plumbers in Sarasota, FL, can diagnose the problem accurately and resolve it entirely.

There is a bent pipe beneath your drains, and that bend is called the drain trap (or p-trap). This trap serves a few purposes, such as helping to trap debris that makes it down the drain. Perhaps most importantly, though, is the way in which it traps water within the bend. Why is this so important? Well, the trapped water creates an effective barrier that prevents odorous sewer gases from coming up through your drains and into the living space. If this pipe runs dry, that is the sort of trouble that you can expect.

Foul smells coming from drains can also be the result of a poorly designed or implemented, or even missing, drain vent system. Your drain lines need to be able to vent these sewer gases in a planned out manner. If not, the pressure in the drainage system can be offset, resulting in issues with water flow. It can also get so bad that the sewer gases will force themselves past the point of the water blockage in the trap, as well.

Finally, keep in mind that this odor could also be the result of damage to your sewer line itself. If this is the case, you obviously need to have the problem resolved as soon as possible. You cannot afford to risk serious, unhygienic, and costly situations developing due to a damaged sewer line.

Call Wimpy’s Dependable Plumbing at 941-322-1911 today and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

What Are Copper Pinhole Leaks?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

What Are Copper Pinhole Leaks?

For a long time, materials such as cast iron and galvanized steel were common in pipes and plumbing systems. These days, such materials are looked upon as being rather outdated. Alternatives, such as various polymers and plastics are far preferred. So too are copper pipes. Despite their great reputation, though, you’d be mistaken in believing that copper pipes are problem free, let alone that they’ll last forever.

Copper pinhole leaks are a relatively common issue, and can cause a whole lot of trouble for homeowners. Fortunately for you, our exceptional plumbers are never more than a phone call away. If you encounter any plumbing problems, such as these leaks, you can count on us for great plumbing repairs in Bradenton, FL.

Copper Pinhole Leaks Are Serious Business

Copper pipes did not just stumble into the level of use that they enjoy today. They are famed for their long lifespan, for their ease of use/fitting/cutting, and their resistance to corrosion. However, due to changes in water chemistry in certain areas, copper pipes may sometimes suffer from copper pinhole leaks. These are leaks that basically work from the inside of a pipe outwards. Pitting corrosion develops on the interior wall of the pipe, with a pinhole leak being the final outcome. Of course, because the issue develops within the pipe, it can be tough to spot before leaks begin.

These leaks may not result in a flooded basement, of course, as they are rather small. They can easily go unnoticed over time, though, and before long they can do serious damage to your home, including walls, floors, ceilings, electrical system, etc. It can also result in mold growth, especially in our climate. Depending upon the chemistry and quality of your water, using a water treatment system may be able to reduce the risk of encountering such problems on your property. Contact us to have your copper pinhole leaks repaired, and to discuss further preventative options.

Call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today at 941-322-1911 and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

 

3 Potential Causes of Low Water Pressure

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

3 Potential Causes of Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure may not strike many homeowners as being a serious emergency, but it can actually be indicative of some pretty big problems with one’s plumbing system in Sarasota, FL. Plus, there are few things quite as aggravating as struggling to get the shampoo out of your hair as water trickles down upon it. If you have low water pressure in your home, we can help!

When you work with us, you’re working with some of the finest plumbers in the industry. Whatever the problem may be, we’ll diagnose it accurately and resolve it entirely. Call today if the water pressure in your home has fallen.

Sediment/Mineral Buildup

When there is a lot of sediment built up in your pipes, the area through which water can travel is restricted. The same thing happens when pipes narrow as limescale and other minerals build up within, potentially due to having hard water in your home. This can result in low water pressure at the fixtures and appliances that you use, as well as high/unbalanced pressure throughout other points of the system. Having the affected pipes cleaned and/or using a water softener may be advisable.

Corroded/Leaking Pipes

If your pipes are heavily corroded, the flaking material within the pipe could block it up as well. Not to mention, that corrosion can eventually lead to leaks, as can many other problems with your plumbing system. If your pipes are leaking enough, you not only risk serious water damage to your home; you may also encounter low water pressure. There could even be a leak in the main water line.

Municipal Supply Problems

There is a bit of good news to consider, as well. The issue leading to your low water pressure may be related to the municipal supply itself. If you don’t think that there is anything wrong with your home plumbing system, but you experience a sudden drop in water pressure, you may want to check with the municipality for help in determining if there is an issue.

Call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today at 941-322-1911, and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

 

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