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”

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

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.

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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!

In order to achieve these new higher standards, manufacturers must increase the amount of insulation in the water heater. This means that newer models are much larger and substantially more expensive. They are also more expensive to ship and, in some cases, additional installers may be required.

In some cases, manufacturers have reduced the number of gallons, in order to accommodate replacement applications where the consumer does not have the additional space required by a larger unit.

Electric water heater larger than 55 gallons must now be of the Hybrid Electric heat pump water heater type design and, which are also much larger, and they will require a condensation drain. This eliminates the 65, 80, and 120 gallon models.

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

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

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.

Home

Flushing: A single flush can down several gallons of water. Keep a wastebasket in the bathroom so you are not tempted to flush a single tissue and don't ever flush sanitary products, diapers, cotton balls, cotton swabs, or anything other than toilet paper down the toilet, it's bad for the plumbing and it wastes water.

Brushing: Don't leave the water running while you brush. You only need it on while you rinse and maybe for a second if you like to wet the toothpaste before brushing.

Showering: Keep a bucket handy so you can collect the water that is not warm enough to shower

Location: Sarasota, FL 34234
Job Type: Full-Time | Expected Hours: 40 per Week
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per Hour

About Us

Professional Plumbing & Design is the area's leading plumbing service company, proudly family-owned and operated—not a franchise. We take pride in maintaining a positive and enjoyable work atmosphere, backed by organized and efficient management. Our commitment extends beyond exceptional customer service—we prioritize the well-being and growth of our employees with competitive benefits and a supportive team environment.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Customer Service Representative / Administrative Assistant / Dispatcher to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will handle busy multi-line phone systems, schedule and dispatch service calls, and provide outstanding customer support. Initially, responsibilities will focus on answering calls, scheduling service appointments, filing, and preparing proposals. Over time, you will receive cross-training in dispatching and additional administrative tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Professionally respond to customer inquiries via phone, email, and chat, ensuring prompt and courteous service.
• Accurately schedule and coordinate service calls based on technician availability and customer needs.
• Provide customers with clear, detailed information about our products and services.
• Assist with order processing, returns, and exchanges.
• Conduct follow-up calls to gather customer feedback and