Spring is here and is bound to give way to summer fast. Soon enough, we’ll be outside playing baseball in the yard, hitting the pool for a swim, grilling up food, and going on vacation, to name a few summer favorites.

Not to mention there are grad parties, weddings, outdoor music festivals/concerts, and a general increase in social gatherings and events.

Much of the summer fun means more people will be in and out of your home. Naturally, your plumbing will see heavier usage. At the same time, a single plumbing problem can put a serious damper on the summer festivities.

Prepare your plumbing for summer ahead of time with these 4 tips.

1. Check For Pipe Leaks

Winter is the most “dangerous” season for your pipes, as the cold weather can lead to water freezing, expanding, and cracking, or even bursting the pipes.

Check all areas in your house where pipes could leak, such as under your sinks, your showerheads, your drinking water line, and so on. Investigate things like sprinklers (especially important in the summer) and your pool (if you have one) too.

Find any leaks? Patch them up asap. Doing so will cut your water usage and minimize the chance of costly problems.

2. Ensure Good Water Pressure

Whether you’re having guests over or you’re showering several times a day to beat the heat, your shower’s going to see a lot more use.

It’s a good idea to make sure the water pressure stays consistent.

Ideally, you want your water pressure 40-45 psi. It should never exceed 60 psi.

To check your water pressure, you can grab yourself a water pressure gauge from the store and attach it to a spigot outside.

If it’s too low, it could be due to leaks or a pressure regulator problem. You’ll need to find and fix the issue to get your pressure back to normal.

3. Keep the Gutters Clean

Gutters keep water away from your home. When they get clogged by twigs, leaves, and other debris, water can get onto your roof and lead to costly (and nasty) water damage to your roof and foundation.

Keep those gutters clear.

On a similar note, make sure your sprinklers aren’t pointed at your foundation. This can cause the same type of damage as clogged gutters.

4. Throw the Right Things Down the Disposal

Summer means barbecues as well as freshly-grown fruits and vegetables. But so much of these foods come with the risk of throwing the wrong things down the garbage disposal.

Avoid throwing the following types of items down the disposal:

• Stringy foods (banana peels, celery, corn husks)
• Anything relatively bulky (melon rinds, corn husks)
• Oils or fats (these solidify and clog the disposal)
• Bones
• Chicken skin

Really, the only things that should go down the garbage disposal are crumbs and many liquids that aren’t oils or fats. When in doubt, it’s probably best to throw it in your garbage can.

If you’re looking to prepare your home for the summer in Philadelphia, Barner Murphy would be happy to take a look at your plumbing system and fix any problems you might be dealing with. Contact us today to learn more.

If you’re looking to install a swimming pool at your home, you may quickly become overwhelmed at all your options (or at the fact that there are so many options at all).

There are a lot of considerations to make when choosing a pool type, from your budget to local codes to the space you have.

To help you out, here’s a quick guide to various popular types of pools.

Above-Ground

Above-ground pools are generally one of the more affordable types (other than an inflatable kiddie pool). As the name implies, they are above-ground. To enter, you use a short ladder or set of stairs.

Some benefits include:

● Relatively inexpensive

● Portable

● More adaptable to varying types of land

● You can add a deck later and still save money compared to other pool types

Family/Recreational

If you’ve got a bigger budget and a family to satisfy, the recreational pool might be the way to go. These often come with slides, as well as other fun stuff like boulders, plants, and basketball hoops.

These provide a good amount of room for swimming as exercise on your own, while also allowing for the whole family to get in on some fun in the water.

Architectural

Architectural pools focus more on style. They have defined structure and lines, often matching the house they belong to.

As the name implies, these pools are often designed by architects. They may even be built at the same time as the home itself (if the home is custom-built), allowing for the pool to match.

Naturally, these tend to be pricey, as pools go.

Infinity

Infinity pools are called this name because one of the edges “vanishes”. This edge often overlooks some sort of drop, rather than simply being connected to concrete like other pools. It’s supposed to look like the water is dropping off the edge from your point of view at the home, even though the water isn’t.

These pools are best suited for homes at higher elevations that offer a beautiful view. They’re always custom-built and on the higher end of pool pricing.

Indoor

Indoor pools are pretty straightforward — they’re pools that are inside. They’ve got walls and a roof.

They’re generally simple in shape and structure, with the focus more on utility than style.

Since they’re inside, you can use them at any time of the year. Thus, they’re good for anyone who trains as a swimmer or enjoys swimming as exercise year-round.

You will need to spend extra on the indoor space (if you don’t already have it), but heating costs will be much lower since it's inside.

Spool

What do you get when you combine a spa and a pool?

A spool.

These are great for people who want a pool more for relaxation or cooling off, rather than exercising or having a party. Naturally, they’re much cheaper than true pools, given the small size.

There’s a lot of plumbing work associated with getting a pool, regardless of the style you get. If you need help with any pool-related plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Barner Murphy. Contact us today!