How do I keep my garbage disposal running smoothly?

To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly, run cold water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after using the disposal. This will help flush the waste into the main sewer and prevent backups from occurring.

What can I put down the garbage disposal?

Most food waste is fair game, but don’t put grease, cooking oils, harsh chemicals or paint down the drain - ever and avoid stringy or fibrous foods, egg shells, onion skins, pasta, rice, oatmeal, fruit pits, nuts, coffee grounds, bones, and shells.

How do I avoid clogged toilets?

The best way to avoid toilet clogs is to not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Keeping a wastebasket in every bathroom will help you avoid the temptation.

Why does my toilet keep running?

More often than not, it means the flapper isn’t closing all the way. If jiggling the handle doesn’t fix the issue, it may be time for a new flapper.

Should I install a water softener?

Installing a water softener can help you prevent clogs and extend the life of your pipes and appliances. Soft water also makes your clothes last longer, your hair and skin feel softer, and your water taste better.

Is hard water bad for you?

Hard water isn’t unsafe, but it does shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances, it increases the likelihood of clogs, it’s terrible for your hair and skin, and it causes you to use considerably more dish soap, laundry detergent, and electricity.

Soft water has fewer ions, like calcium and magnesium, which can lead to build up in your pipes and increase the likelihood of clogs. Soft water is also easier on your pipes and appliances, hair and skin, clothing and more.

How often should I flush my water heater?

Because unfiltered water is almost never perfectly clean, sediment tends to build up at the bottom of your water heater. Protect your water filter by clearing all filters and flushing out these sediments once or twice per year.

What temperature should I set my water heater to?

The Department of Energy recommends you set your water heater to 120 degrees; the default factory setting is typically 140 degrees. Turning down the temperature can save you anywhere from $12 to $30 for every 10 degrees and it can help prevent scalding.

Why do I keep running out of hot water?

It really depends on the type, age, and capacity of your water heater. Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400, we’ll help you figure out the problem and the solution.

Should I replace my water heater if it still works?

If your water heater is more than 15 years old, replacing it could significantly reduce your electric bill and add value to your home.

What is the lifespan of a water heater?

If your water heater is more than 15 years old, you’re probably on borrowed time. Clearing all filters and flushing out the sediments once or twice per year will keep your water heater running at peak efficiency and prevent its untimely demise.

What is the best water heater for my home?

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a new water heater. Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400, we’ll help guide you through the selection process.

Should I install a hybrid water heater?

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a new water heater. Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400, we’ll help guide you through the selection process.

How can I lower my electric bill?

In a typical home, the water heater is second only to the HVAC system in energy consumption. If your water heater is more than 15 years old, replacing it could significantly reduce your electric bill and add value to your home.

How can I locate the source of a leak?

If it is not obvious, your best bet is to just Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400. Professional Plumbing has video inspection equipment that can save you time & money by identifying the source of the problem without unnecessary digging around.

Do I have a sewer gas leak?

A sewer gas leak is not the most likely cause of the bad odor emanating from your pipes. That said, if you think you have a sewer gas leak, Call The Professionals, we'll test your system to determine where the leak is and repair it as soon as possible.

Why does my plumbing smell?

The most likely culprit is some stinky build up, otherwise known as gunk or, if the drain hasn’t been used in a while, it could be a dry p-trap. Run a little water down infrequently used sinks or showers once a month to prevent odors.

How can I unclog a drain?

Start with a plunger, but don’t put too much muscle into it. If your drain doesn't unclog right away, move on to another method, like a chemical drain opener or a snake, because too much pressure from a plunger can damage your drain or pipes.

Are chemical drain cleaner safe?

Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes so you should avoid their use and definitely don’t make them a habit. If you’re experiencing frequent clogs, Call The Professionals at 941-355-5400.

Professional Plumbing carries all major brands of lavatory faucets, kitchen sink faucets, bar sink faucets, shower faucets, bidet faucets, and Roman tub faucets including Moen, Grohe, Delta, Gerber, Premier, Wolverine Brass, and Toto.

Do you offer drainpipe lining?

Professional Plumbing is a Certified Perma-Liner Industries installer.

Do you do kitchen remodeling?

Our remodeling division can handle any project, large or small.

Do you do bathroom remodeling?

Our remodeling division can handle any project, large or small.

Can I save money by switching to natural gas appliances?

You can save you money by switching you to energy-efficient natural gas appliances and, as a Gas Advantage Dealer, Professional Plumbing can offer you many conservation rebates available through TECO Peoples Gas.

What is a backflow preventer?

Sarasota County requires commercial water customers to install a backflow preventer at the service connection or at a location approved by the county’s Utilities Department in order to protect drinking water from becoming contaminated.

Do you offer residential plumbing service in Sarasota?

Professional Plumbing has been providing plumbing services and repair to residential customers throughout Sarasota County since 1985.

Do you offer residential plumbing service in Bradenton?

Professional Plumbing has been providing plumbing services and repair to residential customers throughout Manatee County since 1985.

Do you offer commercial plumbing service in Sarasota?

Professional Plumbing has been providing plumbing services and repair to commercial customers throughout Sarasota County since 1985.

Do you offer commercial plumbing service in Bradenton?

Professional Plumbing has been providing plumbing services and repair to commercial customers throughout Manatee County since 1985.

Do you offer emergency service in Sarasota?

Professional Plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service throughout Sarasota County.

Do you offer emergency service in Bradenton?

Professional Plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service throughout Manatee County.

What is Ask The Seal?

The Seal performs nationwide criminal background and sex offender checks on the employees that interact with your property or family and it issues photo IDs confirming that these checks have taken place so you know who you’re letting into your home.

How do I know if a contractor is licensed?

To ensure that you are working with a licensed contractor, visit www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr and click the "verify a license" button at the bottom of the page.

Our membership credit covered the cost, there was no additional charge.

Our house had a solar water heater on the roof. It was thought to be disconnected since before we moved in 4 years ago. We are having a new roof installed. When the workers started removing the solar heater panel, it turned out to be connected and we needed to get a plumber to disconnect or disable it quickly.

Since we have used Professional for various jobs and we have their annual Pro Club membership, we called them to help. They responded quickly and took care of our problem within 3 hours of our call. Our membership credit covered the cost, there was no additional charge. Best of all, the roofers could continue with our new roof.

The plumber arrived about 2 hours after our call. He quickly sized up the situation with the hot water heater connecting to the solar panel.

After some further inspection he was able to reroute the water flow. He then drained the roof panel and the roofers could then safely remove it from our roof. He explained in detail how the system was supposed to work. Since the panel is old and we have a small family, I decided not to try to reinstall it. Our membership in their Pro Club really felt worthwhile after this episode.

Rodger B.
Sarasota, FL