Winter weather is known for causing many plumbing problems, most commonly frozen pipes. Believe it or not, warm weather brings its own plumbing problems too. With the summer heat in full force, you might run into a few of these common summer plumbing problems yourself. If you do, Barner Murphy’s plumbing experts can address these issues and get your plumbing system back to normal in no time.

Clogged garbage disposals are much more likely to happen in the summer thanks to all the cookouts. See, there’s a common misconception that your sink’s garbage disposal is a place to dump all your food. This leads to a clogged disposal under your sink. The clogging is worsened in the summer since most cookout food is meat, and meat involves grease and bones. Grease solidifies in your disposal, and bones get caught in the blades. Fruit is also a big cookout food, but the pits can’t go down the disposal either. You should only be putting biodegradable food waste down your disposal.

Another plumbing object prone to clogging in the summer is the toilet. Kids are home for the summer, so your toilet’s going to see much heavier use. Clogging is inevitable, whether through normal use of because kids try to flush other things down the toilet. Teach your kids what does and doesn’t go down the toilet and keep a plunger handy. 

Keep an eye on your washing machine. Summer activities tend to involve a lot of dirt, sand, sweat, and grime, all of which your washer has to work harder to get rid of. Having all your kids home all day can magnify the problem as everyone’s trying to wash their wardrobe. Try to be home whenever you’re using your washing machine this summer. If you hear any weird noises or notice anything wrong with clothing when you remove it from the machine, you might need professional help. In the meantime, seek out laundry accommodations from friends, neighbors, or your local laundromat.

Not all summer plumbing problems occur outside your home. Summer storms occur quite often in certain areas; the rain can get into pipes underground and back up the sewer lines. Toilet water backing up into your bathtub’s drain is a red flag for sewer backups. If you see this happen, call a plumber like Barner Murphy immediately.

Sprinklers can be a cause for concern once its warm outside. With regular lawn mowing and more people running around on your lawn, it’s not too hard to break a sprinkler or two. Check on your sprinklers regularly before using them to identify broken sprinklers or other issues so you don’t cause further damage.

These are 5 of the most common summer plumbing problems. Stay on top of your plumbing system and act the moment you discover and issue. If any of these happen to you this summer in Buck County, you’re not alone - the experts at Barner Murphy are always willing to help. Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help!

Your plumbing system is one of the most critical systems in your home. In fact, it’s a fundamental part of all the modern conveniences you now have access to. Without a healthy plumbing system, you’ll quickly notice how much you rely on plumbing on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things that can ruin your plumbing system beyond this normal wear and tear if you aren’t careful.

For one, think about the various chemicals you dump down your drain on a daily basis. Things like soap and bleach can damage your piping over time. Despite being an alright solution in a pinch, even drain cleaner can ruin your plumbing. You’d be better off hiring a plumber to clean out your pipes.

On a similar note, dumping grease down the drain can ruin your plumbing system. It can be tempting to do it because it’s usually in liquid form when you’re disposing of it. However, since grease solidifies at room temperature, it can quickly build up inside the pipes and cause blockages. Dump any grease into a plastic bag and throw it in the trash to prevent these buildups.

The garbage disposal is another part to pay attention to. A lot of people throw all kinds of food waste in the garbage disposal like it’s a trash can. Now, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t throw non-food waste down the garbage disposal at all. But even solid food waste like bones and large fruit peels can clog the garbage disposal and ruin your plumbing system.

But the kitchen isn’t the only area of your home where plumbing problems can occur. 

Toilet cleaners might make your bathroom smell nice, but they can cause damage over time to different parts of the toilet. Too much reliance on toilet cleaning chemicals could cause a small piece of a toilet to break off and get caught in the flush valve, making normal flushing impossible.

Cleaners aren’t the only threats to your plumbing system, though; your hair that goes down your bath/shower drain can cause problems aside from the typical clogged drain. By itself, hair is not likely to do much damage. But if there are other materials like grease or trash building up down the drain, the hair can exacerbate the problem when it gets caught in those materials.

Moving down the line, harsh chemicals like toilet cleaner and other aforementioned products can do very expensive damage to your septic tank. For obvious reasons, septic tank repairs are not fun for anyone involved.

Nature can mess with your plumbing, too. Roots from plants and trees gravitate towards areas where there’s water. If there are cracks in your piping outside, tree roots could find their way inside your piping and cause blockages that prevent proper drainage.

Even DIYing your plumbing can ruin your plumbing system. Something as simple as a small leak under the sink can turn into a huge, expensive headache down the line if you don’t fix it correctly. When in doubt, leave your problems to the experts at Barner Murphy.

As you can see, there are a lot of potential threats to your plumbing system. Fortunately for you, the plumbing experts here at Barner Murphy are ready to help you fix your plumbing if it’s been damaged from any of these problems. 

Although you can inspect your all parts of your plumbing to make sure they’re bulletproof, sometimes forces outside of your controls can cause a multitude of issues in your plumbing system. Believe it or not, something as innocuous as heavy rain can cause plumbing issues.

First of all, heavy rain can put a ton of extra pressure on the area surrounding the pipes. When the dirt or sand accumulates water, it will turn into a much heavier mud that can be too much weight for the pipes to comfortably bear. Most modern pipes are built to withstand a lot of pressure, but there’s no guarantees when it comes to inclement weather.

Similarly, as rain hits the ground and softens the hard dirt around your pipes, your pipes can shift out of their normal positions. Sometimes, this can lead to cracks in your piping if the pipes bend in an unnatural or unsustainable way. Also, once the mud solidifies back into dirt, more cracks can occur as the dirt no longer has any give.

Cracks in your shifting pipes that are caused by a rainstorm cause a few problems. First of all, there’s the obvious issue of leakages. But cracks in your piping allow surrounding rocks and soil to seep into the pipes, which can cause blockages and even cause water to leak into any underground parts of your home like your basement. Barner Murphy’s here to fix these cracks before they cause bigger plumbing issues.

Speaking of your basement, cracked pipes aren’t the only way for it to flood. If your basement has any windows, living on land with poor drainage can cause water to seep into the basement and cause a host of issues like mold and rotting wood.

Heavy rain can affect your septic tank in a similar way to your pipes. Saturated soil around your septic tank can put increased pressure on the tank. But that’s only half the issue. See, your septic tank can empty it’s effluent fluids into the surrounding drain field due to the saturated soil. Combine this inability to regulate fluid level with the additional pressure of the mud, and septic tank wastewater can back up into your house. Warning signs of a septic tank backup include unexplained foul odors, unusually slow flushing, and backed up drains. 

If you primarily drink well water, refrain from drinking it until it’s been tested after heavy rainfall. Septic tank backups can cause nasty contamination in well water, so grab some water bottles while you’re waiting for the all-clear.

Sometimes, issues with your plumbing aren’t entirely caused by rain on your property. After heavy rain, city sewers can backup which will cause your own sewers to be backed up as well. Unfortunately, there’s no immediate solution when this happens. The best you can do is wait it out.

After heavy rain, don’t attempt to fix things yourself as one wrong thing could magnify problems caused by excess water. It’s best to leave plumbing issues to professional like Barner Murphy. In addition, get your septic tank inspected as soon as possible if you think recent rainfall caused it damage. 

Not many people enjoy cleaning a bathroom. For a place that is meant for cleaning, it can get so very dirty. It’s a complicated space to clean, with so many different cleaning product options. Can you use the same thing to clean the sink and the shower? How can you keep your mirror and counters from looking streaky? But there’s something about freshly cleaned, gleaming bathroom surfaces that is just satisfying. We’ll walk you through our tips on the best ways to clean your bathroom and keep it squeaky clean, so it can keep you that way.

The first thing to do is assemble a kit and a method. Having all of your cleaning supplies together will help you to tackle the whole thing at once, rather than just cleaning the mirror and getting sidetracked on the way to the grout cleaner. Then, have a streamlined method with logical steps that are easy to repeat. 

Shower: try covering your showerhead with a bag filled with vinegar and letting it soak overnight, then run the water to rinse it out. Wash the plastic shower curtain liner in the washing machine every once in a while to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew, and add some towels to help scrub it all away. An easy investment for any bathroom is a long toothed plastic stick that can be put down drains to grab any hair or grime that clogs everything up and do that every couple of weeks. Finally, apply a foaming bathroom cleaner to the tub and let sit for fifteen minutes before scrubbing.

Sink: after wrapping up with the shower, simply spray down the sink with the same foaming cleanser and scrub. If you have a clog, try using your new stick friend that unclogged the shower drain, or pour some vinegar or baking soda down. For bathroom fixtures like faucets, try wiping down with white vinegar or dish soap and warm water. 

Grout: it’s almost unbelievable how quickly grout can become dirty and dingy. And because grout is porous and susceptible to bacteria growth, it’s important to give it a good scrub when needed. Just use a brush dipped in bleach and scrub away. You can also try using a sealant one or twice a year to keep out the moisture.

Tile: spray tile with an all-purpose cleaner and let the shower do the work for you. Get some steam going with hot water from the tap and shut the door, letting it all mix for around 20 minutes. This is also a good way to clean walls and ceilings. Then just wipe it all down with a cloth.

Toilet: is there anything baking soda can’t do? Pour a cup of it in the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes, then use your toilet brush or a sponge and scrub away.

There you have it! Soon your bathroom will be as sparkling as you, and with so much less hassle. 

There’s no such thing as the perfect bathroom. There’s always a nook that refuses to be clean, or the cabinets don’t quite line up, or the shower just isn’t the way you wanted it to be. Even those beautiful minimalist bathrooms, with their long expanses of neutral tones and subtle surfaces, can be unforgivable when it comes to maintenance. We can’t cover the solutions for everything in one article, so here we will only be helping those who are feeling spatial challenges.

There are upsides to having a small bathroom — it can feel cozy, and even intimate. But when it starts to feel claustrophobic, it’s time to take action. One of the easiest fixes is to use white finishes in your bathroom. The lack of color recedes on itself and opens the space up, and brightens the room so it doesn’t feel so dark and cramped. If white isn’t your style, almost any neutral will work as well. That goes for floors as well, so don’t pick dark wood or tiles hoping to feel like your room is larger than it is. You can still use brighter and darker colors, just save that for your accents rather than your main areas.

Use mirrors and lights to your advantage. The goal here is to magnify the amount of space you have, while preventing clutter on what little space you do have available. Try a large mirror over the bathroom sink to reflect all the light and color in the room, or even a collection of little mirrors arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way. Lighting is key, especially since most small bathrooms don’t have a great source of natural light. It should come from a variety of locations to brighten up the room and prevent shadowy areas. 

Similar to the effect of a large mirror is that of a glass wall or door instead of a shower curtain. Shower curtains are synonymous to walls and can close off even more of your precious square footage. With a glass wall you will be able to see the entire bathroom, and it elevates the space.

If you want to add some of 2019’s top bathroom trends to your space, try “floating” surfaces. That can be a ledge, or cabinet, or sink, or even toilet. It gives the illusion of opening up the floor space while still being functional and chic. 

Use tiling to your advantage. The natural lines that tiling creates can be used for a variety of optical illusions. Taking tiling all the way up to ceiling in your shower keeps transitions simple, and can make the room seem taller. If your bathroom is long and tunnel-shaped, try using subway tiles on the floor going perpendicular to the longer walls to expand the width. 

The most useful tip, though, is simply removing any unnecessary clutter. A neat small bathroom is one that is ten times more pleasant to be in than a messy large one. Keep your essentials like your toothbrush and towels out and accessible, but put the rest away until needed.

There is nothing more frustrating than taking a shower and realizing that the water has risen up to your ankles, or trying to drain the sink after washing dishes to no avail, or hearing your toilet run long into the night. The best way to avoid these plumbing problems is by building some preventative steps into your routine and acting on that now instead of having to deal with the mystery puddle that won’t go away later. So, here are some of our top tips on keeping your pipes in the best shape.

There are a few things that should just never go down the drain in the first place. Avoid future clogs by watching what you put down the drain, and try to keep hair out of bathroom drains, grease and large food particles out of kitchen pipes, and anything besides toilet paper and sewage down the toilet. 
Non-biodegradable items like pre-moistened wipes, paper towels, and feminine products that are flushed down the toilet are one of the biggest problems for clogged sewage pipes. Even if the packaging says that it is safe to flush, it’s better to be safe and simply keep it out of your pipes than take the chance of a clog. 

Similarly, grease should never go down the kitchen drain. It builds up along the pipes and causes lots of problems down the line. Instead, wait for the grease to cool and place it in a plastic bag, then throw it in the trash can. Large food particles should also not be put down the drain, because garbage disposal does not mean garbage can. Scrape your plate into a can and then rinse any smaller particles off into the sink if necessary. 

Clogged showers are very common, and are luckily pretty easy to prevent at a cheap cost. One helpful item that you can try is a drain screen, which will catch all hair and larger particles from going down the drain and creating a problem. If you do find yourself with a hair clog, it’s easy to remedy with a cheap “snake” took — a long stick with teeth down the side to pull the hair out. It won’t be the most pleasant chore, but after clearing the drain and then placing a drain screen over top, the issues should become much less frequent. 

It’s also important to be prepared come cold weather. Make sure all of your hoses are disconnected from outside pipes and completely drained to avoid cracking, and then turn off the valves to keep the pipes from freezing or cracking and causing future leaks.
Keeping your pipes in shape for drastic weather is key, but it’s also important to keep up overall health. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, baking soda does that for the plumber. Periodically flush your sinks with a baking soda mixture or even boiling water to prevent minor buildup that can turn into a problem later.
And finally, make sure you know where your shut-off valve is. You never want to be in a situation where you need to know and can’t find it. Good luck!

With the arrival of spring comes the need for something new. It’s time for a renovation, and why not start with arguably the most important room in the house — the bathroom! We’ve gathered together the top trends of 2019 to help you spruce up your shower, vanity area, and powder room. 

No matter what kind of change or upgrade you are contemplating, chances are it will give your bathroom a modern touch. It’s the future, and everything floats. “Floating” vanities and storage ledges are popping up all over the place, and are even practical. Since they simply jut out of the wall, that creates way fewer crevices for dust and other bathroom grime to gather and makes the floor way easier to clean. If this futuristic style choice speaks to you, you’re in luck — the toilet floats, too. 

The minimalist trend continues to reign supreme, and “seamless design” in general is becoming more and more popular. Floating storage and plumbing is evidence of this, as well as the continuance of a muted and limited color palette. Another way that this is continuing it into the shower. Many designers are choosing to forgo the shower dam and instead allow a slight floor slant to drain water. Others are also choosing floor-to-ceiling glass enclosure, which keeps small bathrooms looking taller and wider instead of dividing up the space. 

If you are working with a small space, try a side-mounted faucet. This is good for bathrooms that can only afford the space for a narrow sink and it’s visually interesting. When you are looking for your faucets and knobs, don’t run straight for 2018’s copper. Instead, try pewter, gunmetal, and even tarnished nickel. These metals still make a statement without being quite as bold as copper or brass. Hardware is looking good when exposed for a bit of an industrial vibe, and is even being paired with concrete. Don’t be afraid of concrete making your bathroom look too cold or stark, because it takes on a sleek look when it’s put together with wood and the exposed hardware.
2019’s bathroom trends are also leaning away from the large, statement circular mirror, and adding a bit of edge — literally. This year try out a rounded rectangle-shaped mirror for your vanity. Alternatively, place your vanity in front of a window for the framing effect of a mirror with the bonus of natural light and fresh air. 

All of these minimalist designs leave room for you to give your bathroom your own personal touch, be that in the form of a statement wall, rug, or art piece. The whole point is to make this room as relaxing as peaceful as possible — your own personal spa. If you want more zen in your life but aren’t ready to make a huge change, simply try adding a candle or some plants to your bathroom. Even a few sprigs of eucalyptus hung from the showerhead can make a difference. Now, time to relax!

With tons of DIY bathroom remodeling tutorials swarming the internet, it’s easy to get pulled in to the fad.

And sometimes jumping on the DIY bandwagon is a good thing that can save you money.
But other times, DIY remodeling can cost you even more money down the road. 

Because, when it comes to bathrooms, there are certain parts that are tricky. And, if you don’t do them right, you could end up with a whole lot of mess to clean up. Literally.

So, before you roll up your sleeves and get your DIY gloves on- here are some tips on what to and what not to DIY when remodeling your bathroom.

Electricity – No!

Wiring is one of those things you want to stay clear of when considering DIY projects. For two reasons. One –open electricity circuits are dangerous. And, fooling around with exposed wires is extremely risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Two –you don’t just want your wiring to work, you want it to work well. Which means you want it done neatly and accurately. It’s easy to do a makeshift wiring job. But how long will that really last? That’s why it’s highly recommended to get a professional on site for your bathroom electricity needs.

Plumbing – No!

This is another ‘no’ on the list when it comes to DIY jobs. The reasons are mainly the same as electricity: if you don’t do it right, you can end up in a dangerous situation or with a hefty problem later on. And if anything goes wrong, well, it’s going to cost you a lot to redo everything that gets water damage.

Shower curtain – Yes!

Shower curtains are a super fun DIY project. Not only can you save money making a beautiful curtain, but you can also personalize and customize it when you do it yourself. Shower curtains can really pull a bathroom together (or tear it apart), so it’s a very important decorative feature. For this reason, go DIY on this one so you have full control over your bathroom’s look.
 
Mirror – Yes!

DIY mirrors are super fresh. They’re another feature that can really make or break the whole look of a newly renovated bathroom. But when you DIY, you can make it work the look exactly as you want. Which means, you don’t have to worry about finding ‘the one’, because you can make it yourself!

Tiling – Sometimes?

Okay, so here’s where it can get a little complicated. 
If you’re looking for a simple, low budget tile- then putting it in DIY-style might be another way to cut down on the cost. However, if you’re looking for a little more upscale tiling, with fancy patterns and mosaics –then it’s probably better to go the professional route. Crooked tiling and mismatched patterns are a big red flag when it comes to bathroom remodeling. Nobody wants to see that.  So, when deciding whether to DIY with the tiling, you’ve got to think about what kind of tiling design you’re going for.

Spring is officially here in Buck County!

Unfortunately, so are the common spring plumbing problems.
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to get checking on your plumbing. It’s better to find a problem now and get it fixed early, then have to suddenly deal with it in the heat of the season.

Here’s what to look out for this spring!

Broken Hose/Sprinkler

Most people don’t use their hoses and sprinklers during the winter. There’s simply not much need for them. Which means that if you don’t check them now –you won’t know if they’re working properly until its already too late. Take a quick peak and test your hose and sprinkler system now. This way, when the time comes, you can start growing your gardens without a hitch.
 
Clogged Drain

It’s always a good idea to have your drains cleaned out between seasonal changes. Because, if it’s not clogged already, it might be on its way to clogging. And, why start the new season with a clogging drain –right? After months of usage, it’s common for drains to start getting a little slow on the draining part. 

If you notice your sink or shower is taking a while to clear out- it might be high time to get your drains checked out.

Displaced Water

AKA: Flooding. 

When the sun comes out and the snow melts, it’s common to get basement flooding. Often, this happens as a result of pipes freezing and unfreezing. When your pipes unfreeze from the warmer weather, and the water starts rushing through, the pressure from the water can cause the pipes to leak or crack. And this can result in flooding. 

Check for signs of flooding by looking for stains, strange odors, and cracks in the walls or ceilings.

Damaged Pipes

With the cold, rainy weather that we had this past winter, it’s not unlikely that your pipes were dealt some heavy wear and tear. And now that the temperature is turning over, your pipes might have to take even more of a hit. Get your pipes checked now by a professional, before it’s too late and the wait time to get a plumber is through the roof.

What to do if you have one of these problems?

If you already know you have one of these issues, it’s best to call your local plumber right away. When it comes to plumbing problems –the longer they sit, the bigger (and more expensive!) they get. That’s why it’s important to call someone in right away to take care of the problem.

If you’re not sure if you have one of the above mentioned common spring plumbing troubles, it never hurts to have an experienced plumber do a quick maintenance check. Though it sounds like a hassle, it can end up saving you a ton later on down the road. And, this way your home will be all set for spring. 

You won’t have to worry at all when the warmer weather comes to stay!

If you’re not already living through it, picture this: 

You’re renovating your bathroom.
You’ve just spent weeks carefully choosing the interior for your new bathroom. You’re excited, but also kind of exhausted from all the decision making. And now, it’s time to answer the final question. To make the final decision.

What material are you going to use for your countertop?

It’s a major problem that stumps a lot of people when doing bathroom renovations. That’s why we’re here to make the decision a little easier and give you a suggestion: quartz.

Quartz makes for an absolutely great countertop material. And here’s why. 

What is quartz?

When we think of quartz, we often think of shiny semi-precious gems and pretty jewelry. But when it comes to quartz countertops, it’s not quite the same material.

Quartz countertops are actually considered manmade. This is because, though they are mostly composed of quartz, these countertops are not wholly quartz. They also contain other substances and colorings mixed together to create what we know as a quartz countertop.

Now, just because it is manmade, doesn’t mean it’s less than a countertop made of natural material. In fact, because it’s manmade, quartz countertops are extremely durable and don’t have the cracks and flaws that come with natural stone.

Why should you use quartz for your countertop?

There are a number of pros to using quartz for your countertop.

• Strength- Quartz countertops are stronger and firmer than other natural made countertops. This makes them great for family bathrooms, where everything needs to be childproof and petproof.
• Stain resistance- Quartz is less absorbent than other countertop materials. Which makes it extremely resistant to stains. Quartz countertops are easy to clean and even easier to keep clean – they’re the busy person’s ideal countertops. And, they can even be installed without a sealant.
• Customization- Since they are manmade, quartz countertops can be shaped to fit the style you like. This makes choosing a sink basin a whole lot easier. Because, you can have the quartz shaped to perfectly encircle the basin. 
• Variety- When it comes to choosing your quartz pattern and colors, there is a wide selection to choose from. With quartz countertops, you can pretty much have whatever pattern you can think of. You can even have it resemble natural stone. No one will know the difference!

Is a quartz countertop really the better option?

Even though a quartz countertop may be more expensive, it’s well worth its cost.

Quartz countertops are sturdy and long-lasting. They look gorgeous in a contemporary bathroom setting, and they’re relatively easy to install. 

Plus, they don’t take much upkeep and maintenance. Once you’ve gotten your quartz countertop properly installed by a professional, you’ll be able to leave it as is without a worry.

The only thing that will be left for you to do, will be to gaze upon its beauty. And be happy about the choice you made.

So, start shopping quartz countertops!