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Sarasota & Manatee County, FL

Author: Kevin

What Can I Do to Keep My Drains Free of Clogs?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer.

What Can I Do to Keep My Drains Free of Clogs?

At some point, you are probably going to find yourself in a situation where professional drain cleaning in Sarasota, FL  is necessary. If and when that happens, remember that you can call upon our team to guarantee that the job is done right. That being said, of course, we understand that you’d probably like to avoid such situations to begin with. That is why we’ve put together a brief guide to help you to avoid clogged drains in the first place. Keep these tips in mind, and you should be able to minimize the risk of clogged drains. When they do back up, though, remember to make ours the number you dial.

Clean Up Those Whiskers

We all know that sometimes, you’ve got to rush out the door in the morning. We advise you to take a moment to do your drains a favor after shaving in the morning, though, and to wipe out the bowl rather than to flush your whiskers right down the drain. It may seem harmless, but over time, all of that hair can really start to add up, and your drains may constrict as a result. If you’re getting rid of decent beard, that should find its way into the trash, not your drain system.

Use Drain Screens

One of the simplest things that you can do to protect the integrity of your drains is to put screens in place when washing dishes. These are readily available at any hardware store, and are incredibly cheap. Bang them out into the trash can after use, and get them back in place right away. Sometimes, the simplest of preventative measures are the most effective.

Keep Oils and Grease Out of the Drains

FOG, or fats, oil, and grease, is the natural enemy of the drain. When these “liquids” cool down, they can congeal, binding to your drains and trapping debris as it passes by. Drain off fats and grease before putting your pots and pans in the sink to soak.

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

bubba and copper

Sipping Toilet repaired by Sarasota Plumber.

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Bradenton Plumber, Lakewood Ranch Plumber, Plumber in Sarasota, Plumbing, Sarasota Plumber.

Sipping Toilet repaired by Sarasota Plumber.

bubba and copper

Having been in the Plumbing business in Sarasota for over forty three years, we thought we had heard every description of plumbing problems from our customers.  Yet to the amazement of all of our licensed plumbers on staff, we had never heard a water closet problem being described as a sipping toilet!

Being service plumbers, we are always up for a new challenge, so all of us wanted to go fix the sipping toilet.  Just to see what the problem could be. Well we all drew straws and the longest straw was the one who got to go.   Low and behold, when our Sarasota Plumber arrived at the customers home to fix their plumbing problem in Bradenton,  we asked the customer to describe what her problem was.  Even though the customer explains their problem over the phone to Lori, our customer service representative, we as the professional need to hear it ourselves from the customer, so we can properly diagnosis the problem with all of the information.  Then being fully aware of the entire situation, we can determine the solution to the customers plumbing problem or problems.

Our customer with the sipping toilet, took us upstairs and showed us her toilet.  Sure enough, the only way she knew how to describe it, was calling what it was doing, “sipping”.

It turns out our customer loves to keep her house, including her plumbing fixtures, very clean, tidy and orderly.  Turns out to keep her toilet bowl sparkling clean, she was putting three inch swimming pool tabs in her toilet tank.  Now I could not argue with her that the swimming pool tabs were doing a remarkable job keeping her toilet bowl sparkling.  However, the chlorine tabs that she was putting in the toilet tank, were destroying all the rubber, brass and steel parts and deforming the plastic parts inside her toilet tank.  This caused her toilet to constantly run.  Thus, the description in her words, the toilet was sipping!

Since her toilet looked good and she said it was flushing fine and she did not want a new toilet, we replaced all the parts in her toilet and removed the chlorine tab.

Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, always up for a plumbing problem/challenge! Call the experts, we would be happy to be your Plumber! 941-322-1911 or book on line, www.Loveyourplumber.com.

Trenchless Technology, Pipe Bursting, Wimpy’s No Dig Pipe Replacement.

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Bradenton Plumber, Drain and Sewer, Lakewood Ranch Plumber, Plumber in Sarasota, Sarasota Plumber.

Trenchless Technology, Pipe Bursting, Wimpy’s No Dig Pipe Replacement.

trenchless sewer equipment

You may of lived in the same house in Sarasota for over 35 years.  Life is going along just great and over the course of those 35 years you may of had minor plumbing, electric and air conditioner issues.  It happens.  Everything needs some attention as time passes.

Maybe, yesterday your toilet backed up.  As you think back over time, you know this has never backed up into your bathtub, like it is now when you flush your toilet.  This is a sign that your Sarasota plumbing system needs attention.  Call the Plumber!  So you call your Sarasota plumber and he clears your line.  He may of even ran a camera in in to see why your plumbing system stopped up.  Wouldn’t you like to know why this happened after 35 years of trouble free flushing?  Maybe to make sure this stoppage doesn’t occur again, the line could be hydro-jetted to clean the pipes.  Maybe the plumber saw in the camera while viewing you waste lines that you had root infiltration.

If the plumber recommends replacing your waste lines and you have really nice terrazzo floors or just had wood, tile or marble floors put down, the last thing you want to do is tear them up.  But you need new pipes.

Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, Sarasota’s Pipe Bursting Expert, can replace your waste lines without disturbing your floors with trenchless pipe repair in Sarasota, FL. This amazing technology allows for minimal disturbance.  So that instead of old root infested or broken waste lines, you can have brand new waste pipes, so that you can have many more  trouble free years of flushing.

There is no substitute for new pipes.  If you need a Sarasota Plumbing Expert who specializes in old pipe replacement, look no further. Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air is a company that has been building relationships in Sarasota since 1973.

What Types of Issues Can Lead to Sewer Line Damages?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Drain and Sewer.

What Types of Issues Can Lead to Sewer Line Damages?

While modern plumbing techniques, materials, and innovation help homeowners to enjoy very dependable and effective performances from their plumbing systems, it is important to note that there is really no such thing as a 100% reliable plumbing system. It is very possible that you will encounter problems with your plumbing system at some point, and it may not be in an area where the issue is immediately noticeable. One of the trickiest problem areas of any plumbing system is the sewer line. There are many different scenarios in which your sewer line may be damaged. Fortunately for you, you can always count on our plumbers to complete your sewer line repairs or replacement in , FL successfully.

  1. A lack of maintenance is one of the most common reasons as to why a sewer line may suffer damages, which is really too bad considering the fact that these situations are often entirely avoidable. Having your sewer line professionally cleaned when blockages occur can help you to avoid such issues. Grease, hair, and other items can build up in teh sewer line, and the pressure can lead to damages over time.
  2. Tree roots can also do serious damage to sewer lines. Tree roots are very strong, and trees are a thirsty breed. When they seek out water with which to nourish themselves, it may lead to their root systems bursting into your sewer line to get at the water therein.
  3. The age of your sewer line can also play a role in its damaged condition. If you have a clay pipe, or an old iron pipe, then corrosion and crushing may be serious issues to consider. We can replace your pipe with a newer one may of more durable materials in such scenarios.

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

Why Should I Schedule Video Camera Pipe Inspection Services?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

Why Should I Schedule Video Camera Pipe Inspection Services?

There are a lot of different problems that homeowners may experience with their Sarasota plumbing systems. Many homeowners fail to truly grasp just how extensive their residential plumbing systems truly are. No matter how well-designed and expertly-installed your plumbing system may be, there is just no such thing as one that is guaranteed to be problem free forever. The good news is that, when you do encounter problems with your plumbing system, the professional Sarasota plumbers on our staff are here to guarantee that you get the solutions that you need to resolve the issue promptly and effectively. One option you may need to consider is a video camera pipe inspection in Sarasota, FL.

When and Why Is Video Camera Pipe Inspection Necessary?

Basically, if you have a drainage problem in your home, a video camera pipe inspection can be an incredibly valuable service to schedule. There are all sorts of reasons as to why clogs and other issues within your pipes may develop. Adding to the complexity of successfully diagnosing the cause of any such problems is the fact that a blockage or other issue could happen anywhere in the drainage system. Because of this, the ability to peer deep within your plumbing system is invaluable. When we use our video camera pipe inspection equipment to inspect your pipes, we’ll be able to locate and diagnose problems without the guesswork that going into the service blind would entail. That means that we’ll be able to go about resolving the issue faster, and with less potential disruption to your property.

How Does Sewer Camera Pipe Inspection Work?

Video camera pipe inspection service is pretty straightforward. We can insert our video camera, which is quite small, into pipes of many sized. Once we’ve done so, we simply feed the flexible rod that it is attached to through the system. This will provide us with a live feed of the interior conditions within the pipes. Our plumbers are some of the finest in the industry, and their keen eyes are trained to pinpoint the source of issues within your system. With Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, you can count on getting a dependable performance from your Sarasota drain and sewer system.

Why Should I Consider a Tankless Water Heater?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Water Heaters.

Why Should I Consider a Tankless Water Heater?

When you are ready to invest in a new water heater, you may be tempted to simply stick with what you have always known, in terms of make and model. For most of us, this is the tank water heater. Tank water heaters have long been a favorite among homeowners looking for a dependable and sufficient supply of hot water for use throughout their homes. However, we do advise homeowners to consider all available options before making a final decision. You may just find that there is something that suits your needs better, such as the use of a tankless water heater in Sarasota, FL.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

As you’ve probably guesses, a tankless water heater is a water heater that does not require the use of a storage tank in its operation. Instead, such systems heat water only as needed, which is why they are commonly referred to as “on-demand” water heaters. When you call for hot water at a sink or shower in your home, or when the dishwasher or washing machine needs it, cold water is brought through the system. Electric heating elements or a gas combustion process heat that water as it passes through the system, en route to where it is needed. When no more hot water is necessary, the system simply shuts off until it’s called upon again. This operation benefits homeowners in a few ways.

First of all, this method of heating water completely eliminates the risk of encountering standby energy loss, in which heat from the water in a storage tank transfers out to the air surrounding it, leaving the water heater to effectively reheat the water in the tank. Additionally, tankless water heaters are very compact, making them ideal for homes with tight storage constraints. Plus, tankless water heaters, while generally more expensive than tank models, also have very long lifespans. Let Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air handle all of your water heater services.

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

 

Signs of Trouble with Your Water Heater

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Water Heaters.

Signs of Trouble with Your Water Heater

There is no denying the fact that the water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in just about any residence. Every time that you wash your hands with hot water, do the laundry, or run the dishwasher, not to mention take a nice, relaxing shower, you are depending upon the effective and reliable operation of your water heater in Sarasota, FL.

That is why encountering any problems with the water heater in your home is so troubling. The good news is that the professional plumbers here at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air are here to help. We’ve listed a few common warning signs of water heater problems below. Contact us at the very first sign of trouble.

Inconsistent or Insufficient Hot Water

Among the most obvious signs of water heater problems is an inconsistent performance and/or an insufficient supply of hot water. If you take a good, hot shower some mornings, and other mornings it seems like the water won’t heat up as much as you’d like, you may have a problem with your fuel delivery, combustion system, or other important components. If you are simply running out of hot water frequently, though this was not always a problem, you may face similar issues. A faulty thermocouple shutting down the heating process could also be to blame.

Loud, Unfamiliar Noises

Do you hear a loud rumbling noise or other unfamiliar and alarming sounds coming from your water heater? Then you may need to schedule professional repair services. It could be that your tank needs to be flushed out due sediment buildups. However, your water heater could also be boiling water due to hardened sediment, which can lead to serious operational issues. Additionally, you could have combustion issues, or even overly high pressure in the system, which can lead to serious damages and dangerous situations.

Visible Leaks or Rust

Is there rust on your water heater? Even if you don’t see a puddle surrounding it, there is likely a leak in the system. A leaking water heater tank is going to require replacement. If it is a problem with a pipe or connection, though, repairs are probably possible. Any sign of water or rust on or around the water heater is cause for concern.

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

Why Schedule Professional Hydro-Jetting Services?

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Why Schedule Professional Hydro-Jetting Services?

The sewer line on your property serves a very important purpose. It is your sewer line, after all, that removes waste and waste and waste water from your property, delivering it to the municipal sewer system or the septic tank that you have on your property. With this in mind, it only makes sense that you should do everything that you can in order to keep your sewer line working properly. If you encounter a backed up sewer line, or if your sinks and tub are draining very slowly, then you likely have a blockage within. Our exceptional hydro-jetting services can help you to resolve this issue.If you are serious about cleaning out your sewer line, nothing beats the quality with which professional hydro-jetting can do the job. Hydro-jetting is a service in which pressurized water is used in order to blast away blockages and buildups within a sewer line. A special hose is fed into the sewer, and it is topped with a head that sprays the pressurized water in 360º. This allows the water jets to thoroughly scour every inch of the sewer line, which in turn helps not only to get rid of clogs and blockages, but to prevent them from developing again before long.

If you do decide to schedule professional hydro-jetting services, it is vital that you do so with a skilled, trained professional. That is why you should contact Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air to do the job. We specialize in hydro-jetting in Sarasota, FL, and we own our own Mongoose hydro-jetting machine. Water pressurized at this level does have the potential to damage a plumbing system if handled improperly, but you certainly won’t have to worry about that when you work with us. We have sewer camera equipment, as well, which allows us to peer into the sewer in order to determine precisely where a problem is located, as well as to assess the thoroughness of the hydro-jetting process.

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

Take Advantage of Our Trenchless Technology Services

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Plumbing.

Take Advantage of Our Trenchless Technology Services

There was a time when the idea of repairing or replacing one’s sewer or water line was cause for serious concern. Fortunately, those days are behind us. Yes, this type of service is still a pretty big undertaking, but modern technology makes it a much more manageable job than it ever was in the past. Not all plumbers have access to this technology, of course, nor is every plumber trained and experienced enough to use it properly. The professional plumbers on our staff, though, most certainly are. When you are ready to schedule your water or sewer line repairs or replacement services, ours is the number to dial. We’ll get the job done using trenchless technology in Sarasota, FL.

What Is Trenchless Technology?

Some homeowners never have a problem with their water or sewer lines. Many others, though, encounter the types of problems that will require professional repair services, or even the replacement of those pipes. Perhaps the pipe is damaged during a construction project, has corroded over time, is severely clogged up, or is full of tree roots. Whatever the issue, the solution used to be quite a headache. A trench would have to be excavated above the length of the pipe, exposing it so that a team of plumbers could determine what wrong and go about completing the necessary services.

With trenchless technology, though, this process is seriously streamlined. The whole pipe won’t have to be excavated. Instead, two pits are dug out, one at either end of the pipe. A pneumatic machine pulls a new pipe, or a pipe liner, into place. The old pipe is either split or broken up by a bursting head, or forced out the other end as the new pipe is drawn into place. The benefits of this practice are many. The work can be done much more quickly, and with less expense than if a full excavation were necessary. Plus, there is minimal disruption to the property. To learn more about trenchless technology, or to schedule service, call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air.

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

Old Home, Plumbing Specialist, WIMPY’S.

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Bradenton Plumber, Drain and Sewer, Lakewood Ranch Plumber, Plumber in Sarasota, Plumbing, Sarasota Plumber, Uncategorized.

Old Home, Plumbing Specialist, WIMPY’S.

Did you move to Sarasota and buy an older home?  A lot of folks do because of the character of the home or the neighborhood it is in.  Welcome to our town!

At the time of buying your home, it’s possible you and your home inspector did not see the entire plumbing system.  You probably did see all the cosmetics of the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms.  And maybe that was upgraded.  But did you see the heart of your plumbing system?  By that, I mean did anyone offer to camera the main drain lines?  Or show you the water pipes that integral to your home?  These are the things that are the heart of your plumbing system.

These are the things in general, that a lot of folks don’t consider, until they have a serious leak or a main line stoppage.  If any of these problems happen to you, rest assured that Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air is Sarasota’s, old home Plumbing Specialist.  For over 43 years, Wimpy’s has been repairing and replacing old plumbing in Sarasota.  Our customers have built our reputation up as being honest and a company with the utmost integrity.  We have always believed that character is easier kept, than recovered.  That’s why we will give you a full evaluation of the condition of all of the plumbing in your home.

We offer estimates and 24/7 emergency service at no extra charge.  We aim to exceed your expectations of a Plumber.  We always say what we do and do what we say.  Wimpy’s is Sarasota’s Old Home Plumbing Specialist.  Call today 941-322-1911 or schedule on line at www.loveyourplumber.com and find out why our customers say, I Love My Plumber!

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