Drain Cleaning

During this past holiday season, you hopefully got to experience family, friends, and lots of food.

But among the festivities, your plumbing systems probably took a hit. In particular, your drains might be clogged.

Drain clogs often happen soon after the holiday season due to large amount of food being prepared and more guests in the home who may not fully understand your plumbing system.

How to Unclog a Drain

Plunger: For smaller clogs, a plunger may be enough to loosen the clog. Start by using your plunger a few times.

Boiling Water: Bring a full pot of water to a boil. When done, pour a little bit of the water down the drain at a time, pausing a few seconds between pours to let the water loosen the clog.

Wire Hanger: Wire coat hangers can reach into tight drain spaces and grab materials causing clogs. First, straighten the hanger as much as possible. Then, bend one end into a hook shape. Now, you can stick the hook into the drain and pull up the material causing the clog. Do this until you think the clog is clear, then flush with hot water.

Vinegar & Baking Soda: Mix about ⅓ cup vinegar with ⅓ cup baking soda, then pour down the drain. The bubbling caused by this science project mixture will help break down a clog. Wait about an hour, then run hot water down the drain to clean it out.

Plumbing Snake: If you have a plumbing snake, this can be used to reach into the drain and break up the clog.

What About Drain Cleaner?

Avoid drain cleaner products. These products might be tempting if you’re looking for a quick clog fix, but they can corrode your pipes over time. Once your pipes corrode, larger plumbing problems can occur down the road.

If the clog is that bad, a professional plumber would be the best choice for the health of your plumbing system.

How to Prevent a Future Drain Clog

Kitchen

Sink: Improper food disposal causes most kitchen clogs. Fat, oil, and grease are the main perpetrators. They’re liquid when hot, but when they solidify after cooling, they clog your drain.

Instead, let any fat, oil, or grease cool, the scrape it into a container you can throw out. When the container is full, put it in a plastic bag and throw it away to prevent leaking.

Garbage Disposal: some think that the garbage disposal can take any waste, but that’s not true. Avoid putting the following down your garbage disposal:

• Bones

• Coffee grounds in large amounts

• Egg shells

• Fruit pits

• Celery

• Potato peels

• Pasta

• Nuts

Bathroom

Leave a trash can in a visible location in your bathroom so all waste not meant for any of your drains ends up there.

Sink: Don’t fill the sink with water before shaving. Use drain guards when you shave, and ask that any guests do so as well.

Toilet: The only materials that should go down the toilet are waste and toilet paper. Even “flushable” wipes should go in the garbage.

If you have guests that aren’t keen on that, consider buying a sign that says so. They exist in many forms, from simple to stylish.

Shower: Install a drain screen to catch hairs in the shower. You will need to clean it out after use, but it’s better than a clog.

Do you have an especially nasty drain clog in Bucks County? Don’t dump a bottle of drain cleaning chemicals down the drain — call a professional plumber. Barner Murphy is ready to help your drains get back to work.

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.

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.

Technology is affecting and disrupting all industries, including plumbing. As we approach 2020, there are a lot of cool new technologies and trends to look forward to that 

Here are some of the hottest plumbing trends and pieces of news in 2020.

Barner Murphy proudly provides plumbing services in the Bucks Country, PA. Get a head start on fixing up your plumbing for 2020 by calling Barner Murphy today.

1. Water Consciousness

Environmental awareness has been slowly on the rise for decades, but it seems that’s ramped up in recent years, especially in regards to water usage and pollution.

The average American family uses at least 300 gallons of water every day; it makes sense that people are seeking out ways to cut down their water consumption and reduce their environmental footprint. On top of that, families are looking for ways to free up room in their budget, and decreasing water usage can aid them in cutting their expenses.

One way this is being done is with water-efficient appliances. Such as dishwashers or high-efficiency (HE) laundry washing machines. These appliances can accomplish their designated tasks using much less water than before (and HE washing machines require less detergent as well), saving massive amounts of water.

2. Hands-Free Fixtures

Once reserved primarily for businesses, hands-free/touchless fixtures are making their way into homes as well. These fixtures can reduce the spread of germs by reducing physical contact between human hand and fixture.

They’re also more convenient. No need to turn a handle to get the right amount of water flow or push a lever to flush the toilet; just wave your hand and the fixture does its thing for you.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things or IoT for short is a network of physical objects that exchange data with each other in order to communicate. These physical objects are usually things in your home such as your fridge, thermostat, or coffee maker.

In 2020, we can expect to see the IoT implemented into plumbing scenarios. For example, smart toilets exist that can alert you to leaks and other issues, as well as provide data on your water usage.

Plumbing fixtures that use the IoT are not financially accessible to many at the present; however, as manufacturers continue to innovate and find ways to make these fixtures more inexpensive in 2020, more people will get to take advantage of this technology.

4. Luxurious Fixtures

People are moving away from basic fixtures and towards a more luxurious look and feel.

For example, curbless, walk-in showers are growing in popularity. Originally meant to help seniors get in and out of the shower without slipping, people outside this demographic are installing curbless showers for the convenience and the look.

These showers, along with more luxurious faucets, can turn a boring old bathroom into what feels like a spa.

Plumbing emergencies occur either as a result of neglecting to fix something or as a DIY attempt gone wrong.

Here are some of the most common. If you experience one of these plumbing emergencies, call a plumber like Barner Murphy right away. 

1. Burst Pipes

Many factors can cause or contribute to burst pipes:
Cold weather - If indoor temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water inside could freeze
Irregular/unregulated water pressure
Corrosion/rust - Weakness the pipe walls
Clogs in pumps or toilet - Increase pressure inside pipes

You can actually cause your pipes to burst if you don’t know what you’re doing. Pipe sizes can be hard to tell apart at the store, but picking the wrong pipe can lead to corrosion or leaks.

Pipe issues are usually best left to professionals.

2. Leaky Pipes

Leaks happen for many of the same reasons as burst pipes, as they are essentially the precursor to a pipe bursting. The factors mentioned above can cause cracks to form in the piping, allowing water to leak out.

Trying to fix leaky pipes yourself might not work if you aren’t skilled at it. Failing to tighten joints the right amount or using the wrong materials can at best, not fix the leaky pipes; at worst, you might cause different problems elsewhere with your plumbing.

3. Sump Pump Failure

Your sump pump, usually located in your basement and in crawl spaces, prevents flooding and water damage by draining it away from your home.

Without a working sump pump, you’re putting yourself at risk for thousands of dollars in water damage. Sump pumps are a doable DIY project, but they’re not easy; many prefer hiring a plumber to do the work instead.

4. Clogged Fixtures

Clogs are inevitable in your home’s fixtures. Whether it’s waste, hair, grease, pieces of food, paper towels, toilet paper, or even clothing, a clog can cause plumbing joints to overflow and leak.

Toilet clogs aren’t too hard to handle on your own. If a plunger or toilet snake doesn’t work, pouring half a cup of dish soap in, waiting a few minutes, then pouring in boiling water should do the trick.

If not, you’ll want to call a plumber.

5. Water Heater Malfunction

You’ll know if your water heater’s malfunctioning if your water tastes or smells strange, comes out too hot or too cold, or makes excessive noise.

Water heater leaks require a professional. However, if your water heater is not leaking, you might be able to at least eliminate the funny taste/smell by flushing the heater’s water tank.

When in Doubt, Call a Plumber Instead of DIY

The truth is many plumbing emergencies come from DIY attempts on plumbing repairs. Some simpler repairs, like leaky faucets, can be done on your own if learned properly; but things can go wrong even with these quick fixes.

When in doubt, your best bet is to call a plumber. The professionals here at Barner Murphy are highly trained in providing all manner of plumbing services in Bucks County, so if you have a plumbing issue but you’re not confident in your ability to solve it, contact Barner Murphy today!

Plumbing isn’t the first industry people think of when they hear about technological advancements.

But you’d be surprised at what technology can do for your plumbing system and the plumbing industry as a whole.

Read on to find out more.

Sustainable/Green Lifestyle

Interest in sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyles has increased dramatically in the past decade or so, thanks to increasing awareness surrounding pollution and the environment. Since plumbing involves water, it’s easy to see how this interest in a more “green” lifestyle would affect plumbing.

For one, efficient appliances are increasing in demand. An example of a this would be an efficient dishwasher. Not only do they save the owner on their water bill, but saving several hundred gallons of water a year is great for the environment.

In addition, plenty of plumbing retailers carry “green” products to help reduce the impact on the environment. These products are extremely beneficial to the point where plumbing companies are also recommending them.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (or IoT) is a term that defines a network of physical objects - usually things in your home such as your fridge, coffeemaker, or thermostat - that exchange data with each other. 

IoT is starting to see use in plumbing. For example, smart toilets can inform you of any leaks and suggest you ways to improve water efficiency.

Dishwashers that use IoT technology can alert you to potential appliance problems before they arise, potentially saving you thousands and a lot of headaches.

Granted, IoT-able fixtures are very expensive at the moment, but they should become more attainable as technology advances.

TouchlessFixtures

Touchless fixtures use motion sensors to perform their function, rather than relying on human touch to push a lever or turn a handle. These are already quite common in commercial establishments; for example, a toilet that flushes hands-free.

These fixtures are starting to find their way into residences too. People are installing hands-free sinks and toilets in their homes for increased convenience as well as to keep their hands and bathroom surfaces cleaner when using the bathroom.

Self-Cleaning Devices

Few people actually look forward to cleaning out their toilets. Fortunately, manufacturers have heard these complaints, so now self-cleaning toilets and other self-cleaning plumbing devices are becoming more common. 

Usually, the self-cleaning mechanism is activated with the push of a button. For example, a self-cleaning toilet might have a button that, when pushed, releases toilet cleaner into the bowl and begins scrubbing it clean.

Self-cleaning devices, especially toilets, are also designed to make getting dirty harder to reduce the need to clean in the first place.

Tankless Water Heaters

Like touchless fixtures, tankless water heaters are a long-time commercial plumbing device that has recently made its way into a few households thanks to cost and efficiency advantages over traditional water heaters.

See, traditional water heaters require you to wait for a storage tank to fill with hot water before you can use it.

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand. When you turn on the hot water, cold water flows via pipe to the tankless water heater. There, the water is heated using either gas or electricity. 

This increases your energy-efficiency when it comes to heating the water, saving you money. 

Tankless heaters tend to cost more than traditional water heaters, but that higher cost is offset by your energy savings. In addition, tankless heaters last longer (sometimes twice as long) as normal water heaters. Even then, many have easily replaceable parts so you can make them last a lifetime.

Have you ever head of the term “master plumber”? If you have, you might be wondering how it's any different from another type of plumber.

Believe it or not, “master plumber” it’s not just a marketing word plumbers use to promote their services. It’s a legitimate title in the plumbing industry.

In addition to providing plumbing services for Bucks County here in Pennsylvania, we at Barner Murphy like to ensure our customers understand plumbing terminology so they can make informed decisions when looking for a plumber.

Apprentices vs. Journeymen vs. Master Plumbers

There are 3 general “ranks” in plumbing. Beginner plumbers start as apprentice plumbers, sometimes called trainees. Apprentices complete coursework in an apprenticeship program. In addition, they work on real plumbing jobs but under the guidance of someone with experience, usually a master plumber. 

The apprentice becomes a journeyman plumber upon completing the apprenticeship requirements and passing a licensing exam. Journeymen can work without the supervision of a master plumber.

To become a master plumber, the journeyman must pass another exam, this time harder. Master plumbers might not always have the most working years complete, but they have highly advanced skillsets that are useful for more complex repairs.

Why Should You Only Hire a Licensed and Insured Plumber?

Some might be tempted to shirk licensed and insured plumbers (journeymen and master plumbers) for a cheaper, unlicensed, uninsured plumber.

They couldn’t be making a bigger mistake.

You run several risks by opting for an unlicensed and/or uninsured plumber:

• Breaking the law - It’s illegal to hire unlicensed contractors in many states. You’re not hugely likely to get caught, but you’re still putting yourself at risk of getting entangled in legal proceedings by hiring an unlicensed plumber.
• Health risks - Bad plumbing isn’t just a threat to your water bill; incorrect installations or repairs can cause serious injury, illness, or even death. 
• Fraud - Unlicensed plumbers may as well be the guy next door. He has no regulatory board to report to, so you are at risk of being defrauded.
• Lack of insurance - Unlicensed plumbers are probably also uninsured. When their bad plumbing practices turn around and hurt you, you won’t be able to collect money from their liability insurance. And they probably won’t pay you themselves, seeing as they’re already engaging in illegal and unethical acts.

As you know, journeymen and master plumbers are licensed to practice the trade of plumbing. They also have some form of sufficient liability coverage if they have their own business. Therefore, you should look for the “journeyman” or “master” title when hiring a plumber.

That being said, master plumbers are the better choice of the two because of their more advanced knowledge and skillset.

If you find yourself in need of plumbing services, Barner Murphy is here to help. Our master plumbers are able to handle any plumbing problems you’re experiencing, from the smallest leak to the biggest plumbing system issue.

Things inevitably break. Homeowners know this best; it seems like every time you fix one problem, two new issues arise somewhere else. A lot of homeowners prefer to save money and fix stuff themselves around the house, while others hire a professional to do the dirty work.

So when should you do it yourself, and when should you put away your tools and hire a plumber like Barner Murphy?

Here’s a short guide on which plumbing repairs you can perform yourself and which ones you should leave to the professionals.

Easy Tasks to DIY

Most simple repairs are DIY-able if you have the right tools and know what you’re doing.

The simplest repairs have to be clogs. Clogged toilets take nothing more than a plunger and a few moments of your time. Following closely behind clogged toilets in simplicity are clogged showers and drains, which both can be unclogged using a wire hanger and some common household cleaning chemicals.

Leaky faucets are a little more complex, but with a bit of research and the right materials, you can easily fix your own faucet.

Other DIY-able tasks include installing a new shower head and a new faucet.

DIY, But Be Careful

As projects get larger in size, they become harder to DIY successfully. We don’t recommend most people doing some of the following unless they’re experiences, DIY plumbers, as incorrect repairs can cause flooding and property damage.

Replacing appliances and fixtures like your toilet, dishwasher, and garbage disposal are generally easy to perform, but do it wrong and you’ll end up with leaks and even flooding.

More difficult are frozen pipes. The most experienced DIYers can usually handle these without breaking them; anybody else should hire a plumber to thaw the pipes.

Lastly, if you’re performing your plumbing on a new property, you should probably call a professional to ensure plumbing’s up to code before doing anything.

Don’t DIY: Call A Plumber

Many of the most complex repairs actually require permits you probably don’t have in order to perform them. Renovations are a big one. Even if you can do them yourself, you’ll be fined if you’re found to have done the work without a permit. 

It’s hard to hide that if you plan on selling your home in the future because you’re required to report any illegal work performed on the house.

Moving your pipes and/or fixtures tends to require permits as well, not to mention that these tasks are pretty difficult to do on your own.

But one of the most serious issues is broken pipes. In addition to fixing the pipes, you’ll need the plumber to inspect the rest of your plumbing system and determine what caused the pipe damage in the first place.

We tend to get emergency plumbing calls from people whose DIY attempts went horribly wrong. If you have any doubt in your ability to perform a plumbing repair, even if it’s just a leaky faucet, you should contact Barner Murphy instead of doing it yourself. Our trained professionals can handle even the toughest repairs and get your plumbing back to normal in no time.

The leaves are starting to turn red and yellow, the temperatures are dropping, and stores are stocking seasonal and holiday merchandise.

Fall is almost here. Before you get into the fall festivities, however, you want to make sure your home’s plumbing system is in tip-top shape for the new season. Follow these tips for a smooth plumbing system and a comfortable home this fall.

Insulate Your Pipes

As temperatures decrease, heat from the water in your pipes can escape to the outside world, stressing your plumbing and making it less efficient. Check to see if your pipes are insulated properly. If not, insulate them ASAP to keep the hot water flowing issue-free.

You can use heat tape to insulate your outdoor pipes from the cold air.

Still, pipe issues are typically difficult to do yourself. If you’re unsure about your ability to insulate your pipes, call Barner Murphy and we can do it for you.

Fix Leaks

Before it gets too cold outside, inspect all your plumbing for leaks. Be very thorough; even the smallest leak can turn into a huge problem once the thermometer starts approaching 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Disconnect Garden Hoses

Your hoses won’t be of any use when it gets cold outside. Disconnect your garden hoses and store them somewhere safe until spring rolls around next year. Doing so will prevent damage to your pipes from frozen water, as well as keep the hoses themselves intact for next year.

Clean Out Your Gutter And Drainpipes

Your gutters and drainpipes exist to safely route water away from your roof and foundation to prevent damage to either of them. When fall rolls around, however, the falling leaves can quickly accumulate in the drainpipes and cause backups.

Clear out your gutter and drainpipes regularly all fall to prevent serious damage to your home.

Clean Your Water Heater

Colder temperatures means more reliance on hot water. Without it, you’d be unable to enjoy hot holiday drinks or take warm, relaxing showers. 

You’ll want to clean out any buildup in your water heater to keep it running smoothly. If you have an older water heater and you’ve noticed your water heater struggling to heat your water, it may be time for a new one. Water heaters generally need replacement every 8-12 years. Consider getting a new one if you’ve had your current unit for this long.

Fix Your Sump Pump And Pit

Sump pumps keep the area under your home dry to prevent flooding, while the sump pit is just the pit in which the sump pump is located. Naturally, blocked or damaged sump pumps can lead to basement flooding, causing thousands in damages as well as encouraging mold and mildew growth.

Barner Murphy’s here to help you prepare your house for the fall. Call us today if you have any plumbing issues you need to fix before fall is in full swing!

Water is one the most important resources we need to survive and to keep up with modern society, yet this amazing resource can also cause severe damage to your home. In fact, water damage and the mold that in many cases results from it costs insurance companies billions per year in claims, each individual claim being several thousand dollars. To avoid spending large sums of money on repairs, it’s critical you protect your home from costly water damage.

Check your water pressure. Household water pressure is generally supposed to fall between 40 and 70 psi. Excessive water pressure can damage pipes, hoses, and plumbing fixture. To measure you water pressure, head to your local hardware store and buy a water pressure gauge, then attach it to an outdoor faucet. Turn the faucet to full force, and the gauge will tell you the pressure. If it’s around 100 psi or over, head back to the hardware store and get a water pressure regulator. These are small purchases that will save you thousands in water damage.

While you’re outdoors, clean out those gutters and downspouts at least twice a year to prevent blockages. When left unattended, these blockages in your gutters can keep water in place and cause damage to the gutters and the roof. Those downspouts should be cleaned too, but also make sure they point away from your home so water flows away.

Back inside, make sure you know where your water main is so you can shut off all water in case of an emergency. Most people have no clue where it is (and some don’t even know what it is), yet knowing how to get to your water main is one of the best ways to minimize water damage. 

Washing machine leaks are one of the leading causes of water damage in homes, but again, many people don’t realize the importance of changing them out. If any of your washer hoses are brittle, damaged, or warped, replace them immediately. You’ll then want to replace your washer hoses at least once every 5 years to prevent costly water damage to your home.

Your water heater is another important piece of plumbing to monitor. Check on it once a year, investigating for rust, corrosion, or other damage. Be on the lookout for pools of water or leaking as well.

Lastly, keep a close eye on your plumbing system. Signs of wear include condensation on the walls/floor nearby, rust-colored water, and loud pipes. You can try to fix your plumbing yourself, but sometimes it’s easier to call professionals. Barner Murphy’s here and ready to fix your aging plumbing before it turns into a messy, costly problem.

Note: check your water bill every so often. An unusually large water bill could indicate a leak somewhere around your home, and if left untreated, that leak could damage the area it’s leaking in to.