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Monday, December 30 2019
Stylish Holiday Plumbing and Bathroom Features/Ideas

With the holiday season in full swing, you want your house to line up with the holiday spirit. Most people go all-in on the exterior of their home with lights and a wreath, as well as decorating main areas inside like the living room and dining room.

But if you really enjoy decking out your home for the holidays, why not add some holiday spirit to your bathrooms?

Spice up your bathroom’s decor this holiday season with some of our favorite stylish holiday-themes bathroom ideas.

Use Red and Green Anywhere You Can

One of the easiest ways to add some holiday flair to your bathroom is to add some holiday color. Switch out your boring old white towels for some red and green ones. Add some green touches around the bathroom as well.

Here’s a clever idea to make your bathroom even more cheery: wrap pieces of red felt around each toilet paper roll. Your guests will notice and appreciate these small details.

Deck the Shower Curtains

Run out of room for ornaments on your Christmas tree? Your shower curtains are an excellent place to put your overflow ornaments. 

Hang these ornaments along your shower curtain rings; be sure that all ornaments are the same type for a clean look.

Add a Holiday-Themed Shower Curtain

While you’re focused on the shower, why not switch it out completely for something themed for the holidays? Find a shower curtain with a holiday-themed image on it, such as a reindeer or a tree.

Holiday-themed shower curtains will definitely come in holiday colors too, adding more holiday cheer to your bathroom.

Apply a Holiday-Themed Toilet Cover

Even your toilet can add to the holiday cheer with a toilet cover. Put a holiday-themed toilet cover, such as Santa Claus, on the top of your toilet lid. Anybody who pays your bathroom a visit will crack a smile when they see it.

Hang Up Wreaths

Wreaths don’t just have to go on your front door. Adding a wreath here and there in your bathroom can really enhance the holiday feel.

One good spot for a wreath, aside from the bathroom door, is on your hand towel rack. However, where you put it is ultimately up to the style of your bathroom and your personal tastes.

Hang Garlands Around the Mirror

Don’t have much space in your bathroom? Look no further than your mirrors. Hanging garlands around the perimeter of your bathroom mirror conserve space without sacrificing a pleasant holiday look and feel.

Beautify Your Bathroom for the Holidays

By following some of these suggestions, you can create a beautiful holiday-themed bathroom without spending a lot of time or money.

Of course, beautifying your bathroom is only a small part of getting ready for the holidays. You’ll also want to get the underlying systems, aka your plumbing, ready for the cold weather.

Call up Barner Murphy to get your plumbing system fully prepared for the winter. That way, you can enjoy your winter wonderland of a bathroom without mishap.

Posted by: AT 04:28 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Saturday, December 28 2019
Winter-Proofing Your House and Your Plumbing - Important Reminders

Although it’s not technically wintering until the middle of December, the ice, snow, and freezing winds are upon us. While you’re bundling up to protect yourself from the elements, don’t forget that your house, particularly your plumbing system, needs to be prepared for the winter as well! 

At Barner Murphy, we want to remind you to winter-proof your house and your plumbing ahead of time so you don’t have a plumbing disaster. If you have any trouble winterizing your plumbing in Bucks County, don’t hesitate to contact Barner Murphy.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Perhaps the most important winterization step is to properly insulate your pipes. As temperatures approach 20 degrees, your pipes are at great risk of freezing, which can lead to them bursting. Not only are pipe repairs expensive, but there’s also the cost of water damage cleanup.

Insulation for your pipes as well as the tools to install it can be found at any local hardware, home improvement, or plumbing supply store. You’ll want to grab polyethylene or fiberglass insulation.

Make sure you measure the diameter of your pipes beforehand so you get the right size insulation.

2. Seal Off Your Crawl Space

Crawlspaces under your home put your pipes at risk of freezing. You’ll want to seal yours to protect against the cold weather. 

To do this, cut heavy-duty pieces of cardboard to fit the vents. Use duct tape to attach the cardboard; make sure there aren’t any cracks around the cardboard for air to slip out.

On top of that, seal off access to the crawlspace. This might sound like a tedious task, but it will further ensure you don’t end up with a costly frozen/burst pipe problem.

3. Check For and Seal Cracks

Cold air can seep in through cracks in your walls and foundation, possibly freezing your pipes. Scan for any cracks or holes on your outside walls and foundation, then seal each one with caulk and spray foam insulation to keep the cold air away from your pipes.

As an added benefit, less heat from your HVAC system will leak from inside your house to the outside, saving you money on your heating bill.

4. Disconnect and Store Garden Hoses

Outside your house, you’ll want to disconnect your garden hoses and store them somewhere safe and warm. If you fail to do this, your pipes will freeze and burst.

If your home has a separate external faucet shut-off, turn it off and drain the water out of your external faucets.

5. Turn Off and Drain Your Sprinkler System

Still outside, you’ll want to turn off and drain your sprinkler system too. There may be leftover water in the underground lines in your sprinkler system - in this case, you’ll want to call in a professional to blow the water out, otherwise, that water could freeze and cause damage.

6. Never Turn Off Your Heat When You Leave Home

Back inside, never turn your heat off during the winter when you’re away from home. It could get cold enough inside to damage pipes. Instead, set your thermostat to 55 degrees to ensure safety while minimizing your heating bill.

If your house has several heat zones, do this for each zone’s thermostat.

Winterize Your Home Before Winter Hits

While most of these tasks can be DIY-ed, they take some time and clever handiwork. Call Barner Murphy if you want your home winterized by professionals this winter.

Posted by: AT 07:05 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Barner Murphy Inc. - Bucks County - Plumbing
7204 Hibbs Lane, Levittown, PA 19057 | Phone - 215-945-8560


Licensed Master Plumbers
PA HIC #035743 NJ #10388 RCC LIC # 413

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