Slab Leaks in Sarasota: Causes & Solutions

Written by Kevin on October 28, 2022. Posted in Drain and Sewer, Pipe Bursting, Plumber in Sarasota, Plumbing, Plumbing Tips, Sarasota Plumber, Water Line.

Slab Leaks in Sarasota: Causes & Solutions

Have you been told that you need slab leak detection in Sarasota but have never heard of a slab leak or aren’t familiar with what that means?

Have no fear, because your Sarasota plumbers from Wimpy’s are here! We can answer all of your slab leak questions and help you find the solutions you need.

What is a Slab Leak?

Slab leaks in Sarasota are fairly common. A slab is another name for the concrete platform reinforced with rebar that sits under your house. It provides the foundation for your home and keeps it from sinking into the ground.

Most of the time, the pipes that bring fresh water into your home sit under the slab or are buried inside it. When they leak, they can be hard to access because of the concrete, and they can cause major problems for the foundation of your home.

What Causes Slab Leaks in Sarasota?

Most slab leaks in Sarasota are caused by shifting soil under your home. If the soil moves or gets compacted, it can put pressure on the pipes. Over time, this pressure can cause them to crack and break, or it can cause the slab to crack and break, which damages the pipes.

This usually means that you end up with water pooling or running under your home. Over time, this can cause erosion, which can cause even more cracking, breaking, and leaking pipes.

If you think you might have a slab leak, call our Sarasota plumbers from Wimpy’s Plumbing right away. We can help you fix the problem before the damage gets any worse. If you suspect a leak in your home, you’re overdue for slab leak detection in Sarasota.

Options for Slab Leak Repair in Sarasota

When you call us, we’ll come out and perform slab leak detection in Sarasota. This process helps us find your leak and determine where in your slab it is located.

Once we know that, we can start your slab leak repair in Sarasota. We may choose to break through your slab, tunnel under it, or try to access the pipe and repair it without digging a trench in your yard. The method we choose depends on the extent of the leak and its location, as well as whether you need to have other work done to fix the foundation of the home.

Get Sarasota Slab Leak Detection and Repair Today!

If you suspect a slab leak in Sarasota, call us at Wimpy’s Dependable Plumbing right away. We’ll work with you to find it and provide slab leak repair in Sarasota ASAP, so you can feel safe and comfortable at home again soon.

Common Plumbing Repairs in Bird Key

Written by Kevin on October 28, 2022. Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Tips.

Common Plumbing Repairs in Bird Key

Our team has seen it all as a top plumber in Bird Key, FL. We know which problems are common and which ones are unusual, as well as what commonly causes plumbing issues around here.

Keep in mind that, if you are experiencing any of these problems, you can always call us at Wimpy’s Dependable Plumbing for any plumbing repair in Bird Key that needs to be done. We’ll be there soon and fix it ASAP!

Tourism Problems

Tourists can cause many problems, and many places in Bird Key experience tourism traffic year-round. Tourism means heavy use of sinks, tubs, toilets, showers, and more. All of this can add up, taking a toll on plumbing that isn’t properly maintained. We can help you keep your system in good shape, as well as help with any urgent plumbing repairs in Bird Key.

Tree Root Problems

Oak trees, cypress trees, and more are lovely and common in Florida. Unfortunately, their roots can wreak havoc with the plumbing. They can clog pipes, causing the need for frequent drain cleaning in Bird Key, FL. Careful, planned planting can help avoid these problems, but sometimes they pop up anyway.

They can also grow into the slab that is the foundation of your home and the pipes that bring fresh water to your house. If you suspect you have a slab leak in Bird Key, call ASAP to get help fast.

Rain & Hurricane Problems

Florida is known for heavy rains and hurricanes. When a lot of water falls from the sky, the sewer system can get overwhelmed and flood. This can cause all sorts of problems, from backups to sewage in the streets. If you notice these problems, call us for drain cleaning in Bird Key, FL (or other services) fast!

Sediment Buildup Problems

Limescale buildup is a kind of mineral buildup that is common in Florida. It can cause your pipes to narrow or cause hard water problems. If you see white deposits on your faucets or showerheads, call us right away. We can help you get rid of the problem and install a water softener so it doesn’t happen again.

Call Wimpy’s For PLumbing Repair in Bird Key, FL

If you’re experiencing these problems, call on your plumber in Bird Key, FL from Wimpy’s. We’ll be there soon and we’ll fix the problem fast because we’ve fixed it so many times before. Make your appointment today!

Don’t Put These 4 Things Down Your Garbage Disposal!

Written by Kevin on September 15, 2022. Posted in Drain and Sewer, Plumbing Tips.

Don’t Put These 4 Things Down Your Garbage Disposal!

If you want to keep garbage disposals in Sarasota working for you for as long as possible, there are certain items you should avoid putting down it. These can clog it, get tangled in the blades, or block their rotation so it can’t chop up refuse effectively.

According to our plumbers: “Maintaining your septic system may require you to break some old habits, but, we promise that the more care you put into keeping your septic system running smoothly, the longer you can expect it to last.”

A big DON’T at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air is dumping your food waste into garbage disposals in Sarasota. It makes the blades dull quicker, and adds 50% more solids to your system. Instead, compost your food waste, or just use your trash can! Here are a few of the worst offenders when it comes to putting things down your garbage disposal.

Grease

Most people think of grease as a liquid because that’s the state it’s in when they put it into their garbage disposals. However, grease cools at relatively warm temperatures and, when it does, it becomes a hard mass. Before that, it goes through a sticky stage. Neither of these is good for your garbage disposal!

Grease can harden into a solid blob that blocks the disposal or it can stay sticky and catch other materials that pass it by, eventually creating a massive, messy drain clog.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds might look like they are going down easily but they can actually become a solid clump in your garbage disposal. They are particularly hard to remove because it’s difficult to get all of the grounds. Over time, coffee grounds can harden like sediment, too, which makes them even more difficult to get out of your disposal and kitchen plumbing in Sarasota.

Bones

Large bones will either spin around with your blades or jam them up so they can’t spin. If these get down into your pipes whole or in large chunks, they are likely candidates to cause clogs in your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota, too.

Eggshells

Some people will tell you to put eggshells down your garbage disposal because they will sharpen the blades but we are here to tell you to beware! The membrane inside the shell is tougher than it seems and it can wrap around the shredding mechanism, causing it to jam up.

Call for Professional Drain Cleaning in Sarasota

If you do have problems with your garbage disposal, contact us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air right away. We’ll have it shredding away for you again in no time! At Wimpy’s, we’ve been the local plumbing company to call for three generations. Whether you need help with your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota, drain cleaning in southwest Florida or garbage disposal repair just pick up the phone and give us a call.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Drains

Written by Kevin on September 15, 2022. Posted in Drain and Sewer, Plumbing Tips.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Drains

Do you have fruit flies that seem to be living in your kitchen or bathroom drains? These flies are annoying and they can transfer bacteria from your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota from your drain to your food. Here’s what you need to know so you can get rid of them fast. If you’re still having issues, give us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air for professional drain cleaning in Sarasota.

Clean Your Drains

Start by cleaning out your drains. This destroys the food source for the flies. Run your garbage disposal in your kitchen until it is completely clear. You may even want to reach down inside your drain with a cloth to remove any gummed-up debris stuck within easy reach.

You can also pour boiling water down your drain to loosen any rotting debris in the drain. Then, use a pipe brush to remove it or loosen it further. Follow up with more boiling water to wash everything away. At Wimpy’s, we offer drain cleaning in southwest Florida to help get rid of any remaining food residue and buildup.

Sanitize Your Drains

Next, sanitize your drains. Pour a half-gallon of water, then a half-gallon of vinegar down the affected drains. You may want to do this several times to make sure that you get your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota as sanitized as possible. This should kill off the fruit flies.

Trap the Flies

You may need to trap any flies that were not in your drain and further down your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota. Heat 1.5 cups of apple cider vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap for 15-30 seconds, then set the bowl by the drain. It should attract the flies and kill them so they don’t bother you anymore.

Get Drain Cleaning in Southwest Florida Today

If you believe that you have ongoing drain problems that might be causing your fruit fly issues, contact us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air for professional drain cleaning in Sarasota today. Our expert plumbers can solve any issues you may have with your kitchen plumbing in Sarasota, including getting rid of those pesky fruit flies lingering in your drains. Call us today or whenever you need a “plumbing company near me” for drain cleaning in southwest Florida.

Should I Get A Water Softener For My Florida Home?

Written by Kevin on July 28, 2022. Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Tips, Sarasota Plumber.

Should I Get A Water Softener in Sarasota?

If you’re having trouble with your water hardness or water quality reach out to the local plumbing experts in Sarasota! Our water treatment experts can help you decide if installing water softeners in Sarasota is the right choice for your home. Contact us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today for water treatment services in Sarasota and get the clean water you need ASAP!

Water Quality Problems

Water can be of poor quality because of the water supply itself, or because of something that is going wrong within your plumbing system. If you have any of the following problems, reach out to the water treatment experts at Wimpy’s to take a look at your plumbing system. Our water treatment experts can test your water quality, then suggest the best options to improve the quality of your water.

Discolored, Smelly, and Low pH Water

If your water is discolored, it usually means that something else is mixed into the water or suspended in it. Often, discolored water is cloudy, though it can also have a slight brown, green, blue, or orange tinge to it. This can happen when your water has high silt levels, or when metals are oxidizing and changing the water’s color. While this isn’t usually dangerous, it can definitely be an indication of a plumbing problem.

If your water smells bad, it probably has sulfides in it. This most commonly causes a rotten egg smell.

If your water leaves blue or green stains on your plumbing fixtures, it indicates the presence of corrosive materials in your water and/or that your water has a low PH level.

Hard Water Signs

Finally, if your water leaves gray or white film or buildup on your plumbing fixtures, as well as on any glass items that you wash in the water, your water is probably hard. This means that it has a lot of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, that are left over when the water dries out. At Wimpy’s, we can figure out the best solution to your hard water woes with our water treatment services in Sarasota to help protect your sinks, faucets, and plumbing.

Treating Water Quality Problems

When water gets corrosive, we usually suggest adding acid neutralizing agents to your water. This can be done through a water treatment system, too. Hard water is one of the most common water problems, and we have found that installing water softeners in Sarasota, FL offers the best solution.

Most of them are long-lasting and make a huge difference in the quality of your water. These work by removing chemicals like calcium and magnesium that can make water hard. Since the levels of these minerals can vary quite a bit even within the same town or county, it’s important to get your water hardness level evaluated before you decide how to treat it.

Every water softener is set based on the results of tests done on your particular water, in your particular house. Most water softeners in Sarasota, FL use salt in the regeneration cycle, and so will have that mineral present in the softener head. If you ever feel like your water softener is using too much salt, you may need to reevaluate the amount and presence of minerals in your water. The best softeners allow you to change the salt levels easily, though you may want to reach out to your local plumber experts in Sarasota to get the right amount of salt.

Get a Water Softener in Sarasota

If you are having trouble with your water quality or would like to test for the presence of hard water, call Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air to schedule an appointment for the installation of a water softener in Sarasota today. We would be happy to come out, diagnose your water quality problems, and give you a free estimate for fixing them. If you decide to use our services, our water treatment experts can go ahead and get started installing your water softeners in Sarasota, FL on the spot!

Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet…Ever!

Written by Kevin on March 31, 2020. Posted in Drain and Sewer, Plumbing, Plumbing Tips.

Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Flush Down the Toilet…Ever!

As the toilet paper shortage has gotten worse, we have seen more and more clogs. People are using toilet paper substitutes and putting them down the toilet rather than throwing them away. Unfortunately, these are a major cause of clogs and can cause significant problems for your plumbing. Here’s what you need to now to avoid these!

1) Wipes

Avoid putting any and all wipes down your toilet. This includes wet wipes, cosmetic wipes, and baby wipes. They just don’t disintegrate the way that toilet paper does. Because they don’t fall apart as easily, they will just sit in your lines if they get stuck, rather than slowly coming apart and continuing on down the line. Eventually, they can trap other debris and cause major clogs.

2) Paper Towels & Napkins

These also don’t disintegrate as well as toilet paper does, even though they are still made out of paper! In addition, they can absorb water that comes down your line and cause problems when flushing other items, too. Throw them away if you use them. If they smell, bag them, tie the bag, and put it in your outside trash. It’s a pain but it’s less of a hassle than calling a plumber!

3) Dental Floss

If you’ve ever wanted to make a spider’s web in your pipes, putting dental floss into your plumbing is the perfect way to do that. All it needs to do is get stuck in one place. Slowly, it can create a web that traps other debris and, eventually, makes a sizeable clog in your pipes.

4) Hair

Hair acts similarly to floss. While it will break eventually, it can create massive clogs when you put clumps of hair down the pipes all at once. Strands stick to each other and they can stick to any grease on the sides of your pipes, too. If you want to avoid a smelly, gross mess in your pipes, put your hair in the trash instead!

5) Feminine Products

These not only won’t disintegrate, but they also expand when they get wet. This allows them to catch other debris in your pipes and fill the entire pipe with their bulk. Throw them in the trash where they belong!

Bonus: Medication

While it won’t cause clogs, medication can contaminate the water supply. Keep it out of your pipes and dispose of it properly, instead.

Call us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air if you end up with a plumbing emergency (like a clogged drain or toilet!) in Sarasota, FL or the surrounding area! We’ll get it out fast!

Call Now for Plumbing Help!

The 5 Most Common Plumbing Problems & How to Fix Them

Written by Kevin on March 17, 2020. Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Tips.

The 5 Most Common Plumbing Problems & How to Fix Them

Are you struggling with your plumbing? If you’re facing one of the problems below, you’re not alone. In fact, these are the most common plumbing problems we see, along with the solutions we use to get everything back to normal for you.

1) Dripping Faucets

That constant dripping isn’t just frustrating, it could be costing you quite a bit of money, too! Give us a call and we’ll figure out whether you need a new O-ring or a whole new faucet. Fix it and save money on your water bill today!

2) Clogged Drains

Pesky clogs can end up causing major water damage if you can’t get them to move. Our team will get rid of that clog and help you get everything flowing normally once again. We might use hydro jetting, a plumbing snake, or chemical solvents to make that clog disappear!

3) Leaky Pipes

A small leak can be a major problem! Whether you can find the leak or not, we can fix it for you. Our team will get you the repair or pipe replacement that you need so you can use your water normally once again. We use the latest in leak detection technology so we don’t have to waste extra time finding your leak.

4) Running Toilets

If your toilet is running, you’d better give us a call quick! We’ll find out why it keeps running like that and get a fix in place ASAP so you can use it normally again. We may replace your stopper or fix the float so the problem will go away. Stop wasting money and water when you invest in a repair today!

5) Broken Water Heater

Being out of hot water is miserable. It’s also problematic when you don’t have enough hot water for your whole house or when your water won’t get hot enough. Call us to find the right solution for you. We’ll fix the water heater when we can. If that’s too expensive or the problem is too extensive, we’ll get you a new water heater that will work for you.

Contact Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air for all of your plumbing service needs. Whether you have one of these problems or something else is going on, we’ll fix it and make sure you’re completely satisfied before we leave. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your plumbing working well again fast!

Call Now for Plumbing Help!