Many homeowners love to DIY projects around the house, including plumbing work.

It makes sense: it feels good to get the job done yourself, not to mention it saves money.

However, investing in professional plumbing services provide plenty of additional benefits that justify the increased cost.

Below are some of the top reasons you should hire a professional plumber for your home’s plumbing projects.

You Can’t Do Some Projects Yourself

Some plumbing projects are too complex or even dangerous for someone untrained in plumbing to handle. Your only real choice is to hire a professional plumber in these instances.

For example, you can’t really do anything related to your sewer lines on your own. Any mistakes can cause nasty and even dangerous issues.

Another example would be repairing gas leaks. These are also quite dangerous and should be left to a trained and licensed professional.

Peace of Mind on All Other Projects

Sure, most people can handle simpler plumbing projects, such as pipe repairs or leak fixes with a bit of Internet browsing.

However, you may not be confident in your ability to fix these problems. If things go wrong, you might create an even more costly issue at worst. At best, the problem might reemerge sometime down the road.

By hiring a plumber for the job, you virtually guarantee the issue will be fixed promptly and with minimal disruption to your life.

Finding and Fixing the Root Cause

Sometimes, problems you spot (such as a leak) may have hidden causes somewhere else in your plumbing system. Addressing the visible part of the problem would be akin to putting a band-aid on your plumbing when you actually need to find and fix the root cause.

That’s what plumbers can do. With their knowledge of and experience with plumbing systems, they can often quickly identify where the problem originates from, then take the proper steps to remedy the problem safely and efficiently.

Multiple Plumbing Services Available

Plumbers offer a wide range of services beyond simple leak fixes. They can fix pipes, repair gas leaks, install new plumbing-related fixtures (such as dishwashers), winterize your plumbing systems, and more.

By working with a plumber, you can be sure that all your plumbing systems will be in excellent shape with minimal work on your part.

Plumbing Code Knowledge

When you make plumbing repairs, you have to be careful. Your fixes must comply with plumbing codes to avoid breaking the law.

Professional plumbers have in-depth training and knowledge of plumbing codes on local, state, and national levels.

Additionally, these codes can change over time — plumbing professionals study and keep up with these changes so they can continue delivering excellent, compliant service to their customers.

Need a professional plumber in Philadelphia? Barner Murphy would be happy to help. Our expert plumbers can fix nearly any plumbing issue, from simple leaks to complex repairs only a plumber can handle. Contact us today!

The warmth and sunlight of spring bring joy to many in Bucks County, but they also can lead to plenty of plumbing issues that’ll quickly ruin the positive mood. If you don’t take action fast, these can become quite expensive and put a damper on your whole spring.

With that in mind, here are 5 springtime plumbing problems you might face in Bucks County.

1. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is frustrating, making it hard to enjoy your showers or clean your dishes in the sink.

However, low water pressure isn’t a problem on its own — it’s often a sign of a true plumbing problem somewhere else.

Get ahold of a plumber if your home experiences many instances of low water pressure or sustained periods of low water pressure.

2. Leaky Pipes

As the seasons change, the temperature doesn’t adjust linearly. Some days might be biting cold, while others are nice and warm.

This causes a lot of water expansion and contraction in your pipes, which can lead to cracks and leaks that aren’t noticeable until it’s warmer outside.

Your plumbing is especially at risk if it's old. Outdoor items are as well, given their exposure to the elements.

You may have leaky pipes if you notice musty odors around your home, a higher water bill/water usage, or standing water in areas near the affected area. Low water pressure may also be a symptom.

3. Gutter Obstructions

Spring means plenty of new plants are growing. This vibrant greenery is beautiful to look at, but all this new plantlife can get stuck in your gutters.

Twigs, leaves, and other similar materials can block your gutters. This can cause water to overflow out of gutters and onto your roof or the side of your home, causing expensive water damage and unsightly stains.

So make sure you clean out your gutters and downspout regularly. It will save you a lot of money and headache.

4. Water Line Obstructions

Plantlife needs water, especially when growing during the spring. Your plumbing system has plenty of water.  It’s not uncommon for trees to target your main and sewer lines as places to stretch out their roots and obtain water.

Roots can get into the pipes, leading to damage, water pressure issues, and slow drainage — more on slow drainage next.

5. Outdoor Drainage Issues

Effective outdoor drainage helps take care of the excess water caused by melting ice and snow. If you have slow outdoor drainage, water can flood your property, possibly getting into your basement can cause nasty, costly damage.

Make sure you get your gutters cleaned and your main and sewer lines checked. Take a look at exterior pipes around your property, and check out your sump pump as well to make sure it works fine.

Experiencing any of these plumbing problems in Bucks County? Or maybe you aren’t but you want a professional to look at your plumbing and make sure everything looks good.

You can rely on the professionals at Barner Murphy to fix any of these issues and more quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your life. Contact us today to learn more.

Garbage disposals are wonderful modern plumbing devices. They take a lot of abuse for us behind the scenes, helping to get rid of the waste that makes it down the sink.

It makes cleaning up after cooking or doing dishes nice and easy.

That said, garbage disposals aren’t indestructible. Over time, they wear down.

Additionally, you can unknowingly cause damage by putting objects down the garbage disposal (such as grease/oil/fat, bones, and excessive coffee grounds) which may cause your garbage disposal to leak.

If you’re currently dealing with a leaky garbage disposal, or you want to be prepared in case it ever happens to you, keep on reading. We’ll explain why garbage disposal might be leaking from the top, bottom, or side, and how to fix it in each cast.

Leaking From the Top

Your sink connects to your garbage disposal via an object called a sink flange. As water and waste flow down your sink, this flange can experience corrosion.

If your disposal is leaking from the top, then in most cases, it’s because the flange is corroded.

To remedy the problem, you’ll have to go in and reseal the flange. To do so, all you need is a screwdriver. Just tighten the screws on the flange and you should be good to go.

If the leaking doesn’t stop, it might be time to rely on an expert from Barner Murphy.

Leaking From the Bottom

A leak from the bottom is often due to wear on a pipe’s inner seal. Once again, water and other materials that flow through the sink and disposal can wear down this seal, creating the opportunity for leaking.

Now, unless your warranty hasn’t expired, fixing this leak might not be worth the time, money, and effort. You’d probably be better off getting new garbage disposal that’ll last you for a long time.

Side Leaks

Side leaks often come from the area where drain lines connect with your garbage disposal. The leak is caused by a loose connection here.

There are two drains connected to your garbage disposal. Here is how to fix each one.

• Dishwasher: Tighten the screw on the clamp that connects the lines from your dishwasher to your garbage disposal.
• Main sewer: Tightening the screws here may also work. However, if it doesn’t, you might need to replace the rubber gasket — something a plumber can help with.

Have you tried any of these fixes for your disposal, yet you can’t seem to solve the issue? Or perhaps you don’t want to accidentally damage something in your disposal?

No worries — Barner Murphy is here to help. Our plumbing specialists can diagnose and fix the issue fast so you can get on with your life. Contact us today if you’re interested in our expert plumbing services.

The ongoing pandemic has, for obvious reasons, reinvigorated peoples’ interest in staying and healthy and maintaining good cleanliness/sanitization practices.

Washing our hands frequently, coughing and sneezing away from people into our elbows, wiping down and sanitizing surfaces, and applying hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available all occur much more frequently.

It’s excellent to see people keeping themselves so clean, but hygiene doesn’t stop at the personal level.

The air we breathe plays a significant role in our health as well, even if we often take clean air for granted. After all, we have to breathe — so the air we inhale should be clean of germs, allergens, and so on.

And what’s responsible for that?

Your home’s heating and cooling systems.

Guarding Your Home Against Allergens and Germs

As mentioned, your heating and cooling systems are substantially responsible for maintaining good air quality in your home. They constantly circulate air throughout your house.

However, bad things can sneak into this air and potentially decrease air quality. Any time you open your door or window, things from the outside world can make it into your home and circulate through the air.

Of course, that’s what your system’s air filter is for. Your air filter accumulates this stuff, though, which makes your system less efficient. Thus, you want to replace your air filter regularly.

Similarly, your ducts build up this junk. Cleaning your ducts regularly keeps your air as clean as possible.

For further cleaning of the air, you can buy various air quality products, such as air purifiers or items that use UV light to kill germs.

What About the Pandemic?

Air filters can trap plenty of particles, but the current pandemic is quite small and may be able to squeeze through these filters. Even the finest of filters might not stop it.

That’s where UV products can come in handy. Studies have shown that lamps or other devices that emit UV-C light can be effective at killing this specific virus.

Of course, you don’t want to rely on these products alone. It’s best to continue wiping down and sanitizing surfaces and keeping all your filters and ducts clean for good airflow. This is especially important for rooms where people gather, as close contact is one of the most common methods of respiratory illness spread.

Along with these, continuing to wash your hands and cough/sneeze into your elbow will help minimize the spread of illness.

In these times, you’re likely a bit more on guard about who comes into your house. Don’t worry — at Barner Murphy, your safety is of the utmost importance to us. All of our professionals wear masks when at your home and maintain a distance of at least six feet whenever possible. We can fix up your central heating and cooling and make sure it’s keeping your air nice and clean — and, by extension, keeping you healthy. Contact us today to learn more.

Keeping your plumbing in tip-top shape is essential to a happy and healthy home. It helps you keep your water bill down and avoid costly damage and other risks.

However, many plumbing upgrades can also boost the value of your home. Here are some plumbing upgrades you can make to make your home more valuable to potential buyers.

Pull-Out Faucets

Got old sinks? Why not upgrade them to pull-out faucets? Pull-out faucets have a cord attached to them that lets you detach them and move them around. This offers plenty of added versatility for washing foods and cleaning dishes. Thus, they’re quite attractive to homeowners.

Additionally, you should consider a dual-basin sink if you have the space to add it. This adds plenty of room to clean dishes. Alternatively, it offers your sink the ability to serve multiple purposes at once. One side can be for dirty dishes, while the other can be kept clear for washing food or other purposes.

Both of these upgrades can give your home a nice value boost.

Modern Pipes

Many homes are still using corrosion-vulnerable galvanized pipes. When pipes corrode, corroded material can get into your water. This causes both a bad taste in the water and potential health risks to those who drink it. In some cases, corrosion can build up and cause blockages, leading to pipes bursting.

If your pipes contain lead or polybutylene, we advise you to replace those pipes immediately. For your water pipes, copper is a good choice. PVC works well for waste pipes. Neither of these materials are at risk of corrosion.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

Old washers and dryers use up a ton of water and energy, which is costing you money and doing more potential harm to the environment. Upgrading to eco-friendly appliances can cut these bills down and improve your environmental impact.

For appliances like your washers and water heats, look for the energy star. This signals that the appliance is energy-efficient.

As for fixtures, there are many areas for improvement. Low-flow showerheads and faucets can ease the strain on your plumbing and save you untold gallons of water. If you get a dual-flush toilet, you can further cut water use, as these use less water to flush than traditional toilets.

A New Bathroom

One of the most work-intensive, yet obvious ways to substantially improve your home’s value is to add a second bathroom. Building a new bathroom allows you to add some style and luxury to your home, as well as making it easier for a larger family to live there — or for people to spend less time in the morning waiting for a bathroom to be available.

You may also consider renovating your first bathroom. There is a lot of work involved, sure, but the return on investment is also worth it. Even if you don’t sell your home anytime soon, your bathroom will be a much more enjoyable place to spend time in.

As you can see, some simple plumbing upgrades can make your home a lot more valuable. If you’re thinking of adding these upgrades to your home, but aren’t sure if you can do it yourself, Barner Murphy is happy to help. Contact us today to learn more.

Noticed an extra high water bill recently? Unless you’re taking extra long showers every day, that could be a sign you have some issues with your plumbing system. Here are some reasons your water bill might be high, and what you can do to fix them.

1. Leaky Faucets or Fixtures

Leaky faucets and fixtures can fly under the radar — after all, a few drops a day doesn’t seem too significant.

However, those tiny droplets add up: one leaky faucet can, on average, waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. For reference, that’s almost 200 average-length showers!

Fortunately, these are easy to find and fix. The most common reason for leaky faucets is a defective rubber washer in the handle of the faucet. You can fix this by first turning off the water to this faucet. From there, you can unscrew the handle and replace the old washer with a new one that works.

2. Leaky or Running Toilets

Toilets already consist of nearly a third of Americans’ indoor water usage.

If leaky faucets can waste so much water, just think about how much you can lose to a leaky or running toilet. It's much more at around 6,000 gallons a month if left untreated. That’s a lot of extra money you have to pay.

You can use one of two methods to detect a leaky or running toilet:

1. Listening: Make sure it’s quiet in your home, then walk near your toilet. Any hissing noises may indicate a leak. 
2. The dye test: Get a dye tablet or food coloring. Put the dye/a couple drops of food coloring into the toilet tank, then wait about 20 minutes. After, check the toilet bowl. If the bowl water has coloring in it, you’ve got a leak somewhere causing tank water to move to the bowl.

There are many possible causes of a leaky or running toilet. It could be the faulty tank flappers, but you should also check the water line and seals as well. That said, faulty flappers are the most common reason for running/leaky toilets.

3. Old Fixtures or Toilets

Do you have an older home? The plumbing system might work fine still, but that doesn’t mean that they’re just as efficient as the newest modern appliances. In fact, they could become less efficient over time.

If your water bill is climbing, replacing some of your appliances and fixtures might be worth the water savings over time. Check your appliances for WaterSense labeling and for their dates of manufacture. Consider replacing old washers and dishwashers with new, energy-efficient models.

Can’t find the reason why your water bill is so high? Or maybe you know why, but you aren’t sure how to fix it? Not to worry — Barner Murphy is here to help. We’ll find out what’s wasting your water and work quickly to fix it with minimal disruption to your life. Contact us today!

Your pipes are a vital part of your plumbing, bringing water into and out of your home. Unfortunately, many of your pipes are exposed to the elements, especially in the winter time.

Failing to properly prepare your pipes can lead to them freezing. Water expands when it freezes, meaning your pipes could burst — causing costly damage and quite the headache.

To avoid this, you’ll want to prepare your pipes for cold temperature by doing the following.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your pipes helps retain heat near them so they don’t freeze. Areas like your attic, crawl space, or garage are unheated, and thus leave your pipes exposed to cold temperatures.

Pipes in these areas are in the most need of insulation.

However, insulation on its own won’t do the job — in fact, it can make it worse by keeping heat away from these pipes. You’ll want to use heat cable along the pipes first, then insulate them to provide heat and keep it in.

2. Turn Off Your Outdoor Faucets

Make sure to turn off your outdoor faucets. To do so, first open them to drain out any extra water. Make sure the bleeder cap drains — otherwise, your pipes are still at risk of freezing and bursting.

Once you’ve drained them, turn them off at the shutoff valve.

3. Check and Get Maintenance on Your Furnace/HVAC Unit

Getting your furnace or HVAC unit before winter is a good idea regardless of your pipes. However, they do play a role in keeping your pipes in good shape. Should your unit stop working when it’s freezing outside, your pipes can freeze.

With that in mind, make sure you check your furnace or HVAC unit and get it all fixed up before it gets too cold out.

4. Look Around Your Home’s Exterior

If your home’s exterior has any cracks, cold air can slip in and pose a threat to your pipes, potentially even if you do the other things on this list. 

Take a walk around your home and scan the exterior. See if you can spot any cracks. If you see any, use caulk or spray foam to close up the crack and keep the pipes safe.

5. Open Your Cabinet Doors

This is less preparatory and more maintenance, but crack open your cabinet doors every so often when it gets especially cold out. Doing so will allow heat from your home to reach your pipes, preventing them from freezing over.

Pipes not prepared for winter yet? Not to worry — you can rely on Barner Murphy to help you out. Our professionals will make sure your pipes are kept nice and warm this winter so you don’t have to worry about frozen or bursting pipes. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!

Wintertime means cranking up the heat for many people. But of course, that means a much larger heating bill hitting your mailbox or email inbox.

Then, there’s the fact that heavier reliance on heat isn’t great for the environment, as most homes use fossil fuels to keep warm.

Consequently, tons of people look for ways to keep energy usage at a minimum without freezing in their homes. 

That brings us to the debate of whether or not you should leave your heat on all the time. Is it a more efficient way of keeping your home warm, or not?

Myth: Heating Your Home is More Expensive Than Keeping it Warm

Plenty of people have heard the saying that it takes more energy to heat up a home than it does to keep it toasty. Your furnace has to “work harder” to get back up to the temperature you want, whereas if your furnace is always running, it uses less energy.

Problem is, that’s not exactly how furnaces work. Furnaces put in the same amount of “effort” — the difference is the time involved. 

If your house is freezing cold, your furnace will take a long time to bring it to a comfortable temperature. But if it’s one degree below the thermostat, it won’t take long.

Fact: Reheating Your House is Likely the More Efficient Option

With the above in mind, you can save energy by not constantly heating your home. Instead, only do so when you actually need to make the home warmer — such as during the day when people are home. 

If no one will be home during the day — perhaps you’re a couple with no children, and both of you have jobs — then no one needs heat. You can set the temperature lower and save plenty on your energy bill.

It’s the same thing at night. You can turn down the heat when you’re wrapped up in warm blankets. Plus, research has shown that the optimal sleeping temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit — so you’ll get better sleep and save money.

Then, even when you do need your home heated, you can simply turn off the heat when the temperature is reached. To save a little more, you can keep your heat set a couple of degrees lower, and layer up. The US Department of Energy estimates this alone can save you 5-15% on your energy costs.

Now, furnaces can become less efficient over time. This can cost you more money, as your furnace has to run even longer to get your home to the same temperature. Cracked or loose parts, air leaks, and a dirty filter are just a few of many ways a furnace can become costlier to run.

If you’ve noticed your energy bill climbing recently — more than it normally does when it’s cold out — it may be time for some maintenance. Call Barner Murphy at 215-945-8560. 

We’re happy to help you get your furnace back to running at maximum efficiency!

Taking care of your plumbing isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. It’s work. 

But you can’t avoid proper upkeep. The consequences of neglecting your plumbing system will cost you heavy in time, money, and stress.

With that in mind, here are some common yet disastrous occurrences we see in many peoples’ plumbing systems.

Water Backflow

Unfortunately, sickness can sometimes come from your own water supply. In most of these cases, it’s due to water backflow — which happens when contaminated water enters your clean water supply.

Backflow prevention devices can help mitigate this threat. These devices force water to flow only one way.

Installing these devices incorrectly can cause dangerous consequences, though. It’s best to call a professional.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are more than an annoyance. Clogs left untreated can cause a variety of issues.

For one, the water can get blocked up and cause a pipe to burst — leading to an expensive headache.

It gets worse, though. These clogs also provide a breeding ground for bacteria or mold, which can threaten the health of those in your home — especially if any members of your household have breathing issues.

Leaky Pipes

Leaks can be hard to catch, as their results seem innocuous at first. But as the leaks build up over time, they will saturate the wood and drywall in your home. This will create areas where mold can thrive. Additionally, the water may reach your electrical wiring and you could risk an electrical short.

The earlier you spot a leak, the better.

If you see any unexplained wetness or staining in your walls or on your floor, or if either feels warmer or colder than it normally should, you might have a pipe leak on your hands. Fix it yourself if you are 100% confident in your ability to do so; otherwise, call a plumber for help.

Frozen Pipes

Pipes face a lot of threats, as you can see. As the weather gets colder, frozen pipes become more of a danger. The frigid air can reach any under-insulated parts of your home (such as under the sink), and freeze the pipes solid.

Water expands when it freezes, meaning these pipes will likely burst. If you don’t properly insulate your pipes and/or address any frozen pipes as soon as possible, you could lose hundreds of gallons of water.

Make sure all pipes are well-insulated where possible. For your pipes under the sink, consider putting a small space heater in the cabinet to keep warm water flowing through the pipes.

Are you seeing any of these issues yourself? Do you want a plumber to take a look at your plumbing and make sure you aren’t at risk of a plumbing catastrophe? Contact Barner Murphy. 

Our professionals work quickly and efficiently to get your plumbing system back on track — with minimal disruption to your life. Call us today!

Halloween has passed us, which means we are full speed ahead into the holiday season. You might be ready for it, but is your plumbing?

The last thing you want to worry about when you’re enjoying yourself this holiday season is a plumbing problem. Yet the holidays also pose a greater threat to your home’s plumbing systems!

While you’re caught up in the excitement (and stress) of buying gifts, planning holiday parties, and cooking holiday dinners, don’t forget to prepare your plumbing by doing these few things.

Clean the Garbage Disposal (and Know What Goes Down it)

Your garbage disposal takes extra abuse around the holidays, thanks to all the holiday feasts. To prepare your disposal, first pour ice and rock salt down it. After that, run some cold water down it and turn it on to clear the disposal and sharpen the blades.

With that done, make sure you put the right kinds of waste down the disposal. Avoid using the disposal for fat/grease/oil, bones, and coffee grounds. These can cause clogs or get stuck in your disposal.

Clear Out Your Drains

Clear drains are essential now that you’re having guests over — especially if those guests are staying overnight. Clear drains help ensure everyone can take showers without issue.

Fortunately, clearing your drains only takes a few simple household products.

One solution is to use hot water and vinegar. Pour the vinegar down the drain, wait several hours for the vinegar to work its magic, then pour hot water to wash it all away.

Another solution would be to add baking soda to the mix. Sprinkle baking soda in the drain, then add vinegar. Wait a few hours, then wash away with hot water.

If neither of those work, use a drain snake. Simply push the snake down into the drain until you hit the clog.

Place a Garbage Can (and Signs) in All of Your Bathrooms

More people in your home means a higher chance someone flushes something down the toilet that they shouldn’t — especially if there isn’t a garbage can available.

Put a garbage can in every bathroom, and put it in a visible location. Make sure you empty it the moment it gets full to further encourage your guests to throw away other bathroom products in the trash.

Check For Any Sewer Issues

If all your drains slow at the same time, or if your drains are making gurgling noises, you might have sewer problems. Get a plumber to investigate as soon as possible so your home can be ready to accommodate guests.

Contact Barner Murphy

If you have any issues fixing up your plumbing for the holidays, contact Barner Murphy. Our plumbing experts are happy to help you get your home ready food, fun, and family this winter. Call us today at 215-945-8560 to learn more!