In 1974, Congress enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act which authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national standards for drinking water.

The problem is that the list of regulated chemicals has not been updated in over 20 years and, in many cases, the contaminant levels by the Safe Drinking Water Act are higher than what scientific studies have found to be safe.

Data collected by Environmental Working Group (EWG) at over 48,000 water facilities across the country found 267 of the 500 unique contaminants they tested for. Many of these contaminants have been associated with an increased risk of cancer, developmental problems, and fertility and endocrine issues.

Long-term exposure to unfiltered tap water, from many of the nation’s public water systems can lead to serious health problems, in particular for pregnant women and children under 6, and bottled water is not the answer. Unlike public water suppliers, bottled water manufacturers are not required to disclose contaminant levels in their water, so the only solution is a good filtration system.

EWG has made their data available in a Public Database (https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/#.WX99BIjyvGg) that allows you to see which contaminants were present in your water supply. If you’re concerned about the water you and your family are drinking, call the professionals at 941-355-5400. Professional Plumbing & Design carries only the best Water Filtration Systems from top manufacturers like Aqua-Pure®, Everpure®, Watts®, Cuno®, 3M, and Nuvo H2O™.

Link to USA Today article and video https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/26/contaminants-water-legal-but-still-pose-big-health-risks/510237001/.

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Check out the awesome commercial water softener that Jim, our water treatment specialist, just installed at the Tarpon Point Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sarasota.

Professional Plumbing & Design is proud to be sponsoring the 19th Annual Jingle & Jog! Join us on Saturday, December 3 at Community Haven (4405 Desoto Road, Sarasota, FL 3423) and enjoy food from local restaurants, receive coupons to local vendors, and much more while you support The Haven!

All Participants in the 5K race or 1 mile walk will receive a performance T-Shirt, Goodie Bag, One Raffle Entry, and a Participation Medal. Winners receive Cool Cash Prizes!

Click Here to Register

Professional Plumbing is proud to have, once again, been one of the sponsors "The Friendliest Catch" tournament this past Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Part of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix​ Festival, "The Friendliest Catch" is a catch & release tournament in which local boat captains & law enforcement officials volunteer their time to take special needs children & adults out on Sarasota Bay for a day of fishing followed by a picnic and awards ceremony at the Sarasota Outboard Club. The 74 participants, the boat captains, and all of the other volunteers and liaisons enjoyed a great day on the bay!

Click here to view more images

Some plumbing problems are slow-moving, such as a faucet that drips, drips, drips.

The sound is annoying, the water loss a waste. But you can call us at your convenience to schedule a repair. But then there’s the dreaded plumbing emergency – there’s no such thing as a convenient time for disaster. Plumbing emergencies require fast action. If a pipe breaks, a washing machine hose bursts, a toilet overflows, a faucet won’t shut off, or an ice maker goes haywire… the obvious first step is to stop the flow of water.

Make sure you and others in your household know how to locate and turn off the water supply shut-off valves for fixtures and appliances, as well as the main shut-off valve for the house. You’ll usually find individual shutoff valves underneath a fixture or behind an appliance where it’s connected to the water supply line. The main shut-off valve that sends water flowing through your pipes could be on an outside wall or utility area.

 Another option: The water meter near the street has a valve where you could turn off the house side of the water line. If a fixture or appliance is creating the emergency, use the shutoff valve at that location. If you can’t find the shut-off valve, or the emergency is not just a fixture (such as a leaking or broken pipe), turn off the flow of water to the house at the main shut-off valve. To shut off, turn clockwise.

 Next step: Call us. We can help.

Sometimes, you just need to scold your plumbing.

Without going into a physics lesson, heat and cold tends to expand and contract your pipes. The different rates of this ‘elasticity’ are what cause little leaks. That’s why early detection is the key to not having an indoor pond. Start here: Faucets, Showerheads, Toilet flappers. We find these are the most common culprits, and can do the most damage too. Check these first. Then move to… Washing machines. Make sure your hose here is braided stainless steel, not the dinky rubber one that may’ve come with it! We can swap this out for you with a quick call. Sink traps. This refers to the ‘U’ shaped portion under your sinks.

Do not neglect a drip here for even a day because it is on its way to a gross and gooey display right where you don’t want it. Water heaters. I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve found a pool of rusty water under the water heater. Go check yours now (at least annually thereafter) or call us out for an inspection. Outside Too! Check your hose bib connections for leaks, and irrigation heads if you have them. Also take a peek at your plumbing stacks or vents that come through your roof. A blocked vent can cause problems not suitable for this newsletter. Any questions? That’s why we’re here. Give us a call or an email, and we’ll be happy to answer or to come out to make sure your spring is as delightful as it should be!

The donation of all the plumbing-related labor and materials for Marlene’s House, the newest group home on the Community Haven campus, helped make the much-needed housing a reality.

SARASOTA, FL (December 1, 2015) – Professional Plumbing & Design has just completed work on Marlene’s House, the fifth group home on the 32-acre Community Haven campus. The plumbing contractor, which has been in Sarasota for over 30 years, donated all of the plumbing labor and materials for the 4,800 sq. ft. home which boasts 5 bathrooms, a large kitchen, and a laundry room.

Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities provides a continuum of services from cradle to seniorhood, including full-time residence and respite living options for adults with disabilities on their campus in Sarasota. Marlene’s House is different from the previous four group homes in that it offers single-occupancy rooms for eight adults with disabilities and a house parent in a family-style setting.

The donation of all the plumbing-related labor and materials for Marlene’s House, the newest group home on the Community Haven campus, helped make the much-needed housing a reality.

SARASOTA, FL (December 1, 2015) – Professional Plumbing & Design has just completed work on Marlene’s House, the fifth group home on the 32-acre Community Haven campus. The plumbing contractor, which has been in Sarasota for over 30 years, donated all of the plumbing labor and materials for the 4,800 sq. ft. home which boasts 5 bathrooms, a large kitchen, and a laundry room.

Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities provides a continuum of services from cradle to seniorhood, including full-time residence and respite living options for adults with disabilities on their campus in Sarasota. Marlene’s House is different from the previous four group homes in that it offers single-occupancy rooms for eight adults with disabilities and a house parent in a family-style setting.

“Community Haven helps thousands of individuals with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives, and that is good for everyone in our community” said Matt Wittman, Professional Plumbing & Design President. “We are committed to helping charitable organizations like Community Haven continue to provide these much-needed services” he continued.

“Community Haven is extremely grateful for the generous donation that Professional Plumbing & Design provided our organization. This beautiful group home will enhance and improve the lives of the individuals with disabilities that we serve, and I want to express my sincere thanks to our community partner, Professional Plumbing & Design.” said Marla Doss, President and CEO of Community Haven.

From 8/15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Professional Plumbing & Design Celebrates 30 Years of Excellence!

SARASOTA, FL (August 18, 2015) – This September will mark 30 years since Professional Plumbing & Design, Inc. opened its doors in Sarasota, Florida. Over the past 30 years, the company has steadily grown to become one of the leading plumbing contractors on the Suncoast.

Professional Plumbing was founded in 1985 by Ted Wittman and operated by Ted, his wife, Marjorie, and brother, Andy. The company started out doing general plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and new construction. Since then, they have added a variety of specialized services like water filtration, re-piping, jet cleaning, video inspection, and pipe lining to their repertoire.

Ted officially retired in 2013, handing the reins of the business he started and helped grow to his sons, Matt and Ben Wittman, and their uncle, Andy Wittman, who has been there since the very beginning.

"Professional Plumbing would like to thank the loyal customers who have helped us grow into the company we are today by giving them a $30 coupon, valid on any plumbing service, for the 30 great years they have given us" said company president, Matt Wittman. The 30th Anniversary Coupon will be available on the company website (www.ProPlumbingDesign.com) and on their social media channels.

The success of the company, which provides residential, commercial, and industrial service to customers from I-275 to Venice, has been driven by their commitment to the customers they serve. Professional Plumbing offers their customers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, all of their employees are thoroughly background checked to ensure the safety of their clients, and their technicians are methodically trained and do not receive a commission, so their advice is based solely on what is best for the client.

For more information about Professional Plumbing & Design, contact Matt Wittman at (941) 355-5400.

 About Professional Plumbing & Design, Inc.

Serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Palmetto, and Venice since 1985, Professional Plumbing & Design provides a full range of commercial, residential, and industrial plumbing services as well as more specialized technologies like jet cleaning, video inspection, and pipe lining.

Is a tankless water heater right for you?

Tankless water heaters are just one of the many products that Professional Plumbing & Design offers our clients throughout Sarasota and the surrounding communities of Bradenton, Palmetto, and Venice.

Tankless water heaters offer an endless supply of hot water, so you never have to take a cold shower and, by instantly heating only the water you need, when you need it, these suitcase-sized units save more than just space; they save energy, which means you save money!

In the past, installation of these units was complicated and costly, but recent improvements in their design have made it easier than ever to switch from a conventional, tanked water heater to an energy-saving tankless model. Many of the top manufacturers have even started offering tankless units that will work with existing 1/2-inch gas lines; this makes retrofit installations faster and less expensive than before.

Many of the older tankless units had trouble keeping a steady flow of hot water, but the newer models have addressed this problem by adding a recirculation pump that ensures that water comes out hot from the very beginning and stays hot for as long as it is running.

If it's time to replace your water heater, consider switching to an energy-saving tankless water heater; the recent changes in technology and design have made them a great option!

Enacted in 1975, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) creates uniform efficiency standards for household appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, clothes dryers and water heaters.

Residential water heaters manufactured after April 16, 2015 must meet the minimum efficiency standards mandated by NAECA. This will result in $63 billion in energy savings over the next 30 years and a reduction in CO2 emissions of 172.5 million metric tons – that's equal to taking 33.8 million automobiles off our streets!

The answer is simple; your old water heater may be costing you more than think.

From baths and showers to dishwashing and laundry, we depend on our water heaters more than we might realize. In a typical home, the electric water heater accounts for approximately 14% of the total energy bill.

That Water Heater is the second largest energy consumer in a typical home – second only to the home heating and cooling system.

Just like in the HVAC industry, the plumbing industry has been trending towards more environmentally friendly designs with significantly improved energy efficiency ratings. The GeoSpring Water Heater by GE, for example, uses 62% less energy than a standard 50-gallon water heater. With that kind of savings, it's easy to see how a new water heater can pay for itself in no time.

Water Heaters are not a one-size-fits-all appliance. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a new water heater and that is why it is important to have a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional to guide you through the selection process. The right water heater will add value to your home, reduce your energy bills, and add convenience for years to come, but you have to choose right...

For starters, you have a choice of power source. Water Heaters come in gas (natural or propane) with a variety of venting options (standard, power and direct vent), electric, hybrid gas and electric, and solar water heaters which produce up to 90% of your home's hot water for free. If there is one thing we have a lot of in Florida, it's sunshine...

Water heaters are also available in the traditional tank style and tankless. Tankless models offer increased efficiency because you are only heating the water that you consume and they offer an endless supply of hot water in a much smaller package. Tankless water heaters also last twice as long as the tank style water heaters and the warranties range from 3 to 12 years.

If your water heater is more than 15 years old, replacing it could significantly reduce your electric bill and add value to your home. If you're not sure when your water heater was built, check the first 4 digits of the serial number for the month and year of manufacture

Drains can clog over time.

If you think about all of the types of things we flush down our drains, it's a wonder they don't clog more often. Drains run slower as greases, hair, toothpaste, soap and other debris build up inside the pipes and eventually cause blockage.

If you have clogged drains, there are a few things you can do yourself to try and clear them.

• Use a plunger. A very handy tool, and no house should be without one. You can try using a plunger to free up the blocked drain. But if you are full of muscles and work out at the gym regularly - don't get too carried away. If your drain doesn't unclog right away move on to another method because too much pressure from a plunger may damage your drain or pipes.
• Baking soda and vinegar. Sometimes using baking soda and vinegar can clear a clogged drain. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain and then carefully pour in a cup of vinegar on top. Quickly place the stopper in the drain and dive for cover (just kidding). Actually – just let it sit for a few minutes then pour about a gallon of boiling water down the drain – some people swear by this method. Just be careful with anything porcelain as it may crack, and make sure you run plenty of water down the drain after it is cleared to flush the lines.
• Use a chemical drain opener. This is not environmentally friendly, and a bit hazardous if you are not careful. Be sure to carefully read the information and cautions on the package before proceeding. Chemical drain openers can clear out 'slow' drains, but should not be used on a 'stopped' drain. Chemical drain opener is not recommended for septic tanks, because it will kill the beneficial bacteria.
  Some drain cleaners can damage plastic pipes and garbage disposals. You should always use these chemicals with care.
• Use a snake. You can buy or rent a manual or mechanical snake to clear your drain. However, if you are not careful, and do not use the tool properly you can cause much damage to your pipes.

The DIY approach is always great to try at first as you can save a lot of money. But there is a point where you have to decide when it's time to bring in a professional plumber because you could end up causing more damage that results in costly repairs down the road.

If these tips for drain cleaning fail, you may have a more serious problem. Some older homes with mature trees planted close to the house have problems with roots cracking or blocking pipes.

Professsional Plumbing & Design will be able to clear your clogged drain without damaging your plumbing or fixtures. Please call us at (941) 355-5400 if you have a clogged drain, we'd be glad to help. 

Last month, Sarasota City Commissioners proposed a 6% increase, each year for the next two years.

If approved, this will amount to 4 straight years of rate hikes for Sarasota. Utility officials say the hikes are needed to keep up with maintenance on infrastructure, which is 60 to 70 years old in some areas.

While we certainly understand their needs, we thought you would appreciate a few water conservation tips for your home and garden that will keep the hikes from affecting your bottom line and, as a bonus, help you protect the environment.

Professional Plumbing and Design can install any type of water heater, but we find more people are choosing Hybrid water heaters due to their high efficiency, and savings on electric bills.