Though pet ownership comes with many positive aspects, there are still some issues that come along with it. For example, your pets may decide to mess with your plumbing, which can result in substantial damage to your property. Pet-proofing your plumbing can help to reduce issues and minimize the likelihood that damage will occur to your plumbing due to the actions of your pets. At S & B Plumbing, we strive to provide the services to protect the plumbing of your property. Here are a few of our pet-proofing tips for your plumbing.
Give Baths Outside
Whenever your pet requires a bath, you should ensure that you give them baths outside. This can help to prevent fur from your pets clogging the drains of your plumbing system. By preventing this fur from entering your plumbing system at all, you can reduce the risk of clogs and damage to the plumbing of your property. Use the hose outside to wash your pets, rather than washing them in the bathroom of your home.
Never Flush Cat Litter
It can be tempting to flush cat litter when you clean out the litterbox. Similar to fur, flushing litter can cause clogs to the plumbing system. This can lead to a substantial amount of damage to the plumbing of your home. It is important to dispose of cat litter outside in the garbage bin, rather than flushing it down the plumbing of your building. This helps to mitigate likely problems and protect the plumbing system of your home.
Prevent Digging
When pets dig in your yard, they can easily uncover the pipes to your plumbing system. Though this is often easier said than done, it can be extremely beneficial to train your dogs to not dig in the yard of your home. This will help to prevent them from uncovering the pipes that are supposed to remain safely buried on the property. When the plumbing is uncovered, it becomes much more vulnerable to damage. Additionally, your pets may be tempted to chew up the plumbing after they uncover it. If you notice them digging, you will have to take the steps to train them away from that specific behavior.
Keep Water Dishes Full
When your pet’s water dish becomes empty, they may be tempted to find water some other way, such as in the toilet bowl. Not only can this cause damage to the toilet bowl, but it can also be dangerous for your pet. They may swallow chemicals or other products that can be devastating to their health. Keeping their water dishes full is important to prevent them from seeking out your plumbing. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your pet stays hydrated for their health. Dehydration can lead to substantial problems with their health, which is another reason to ensure that you keep their water dishes full.
Store Plumbing Chemicals out of Reach
In most situations, it is recommended that you refrain from using plumbing chemicals to dissolve clogs or other issues with your property. These chemicals can cause damage and deterioration to the plumbing system of your building. However, if you keep these chemicals in your home, you will need to ensure that you keep them out of reach of your pets. When your pets ingest these harmful chemicals, it can have devastating consequences. Store plumbing chemicals in locations where they can’t be reached by your pets. This same thing applies if you have children within your home.
Conceal Exposed Piping
Some plumbing systems leave piping exposed. In these situations, the shiny, exposed portion of the piping can serve as a temptation for pets. They may decide to chew on the piping, which will cause damage to the piping and can even cause injury to the pets. When you conceal this piping, it will be less of a temptation for your pets. There are many methods for doing this. Cabinets may be the ideal method, because it can ensure that you or your plumber can still access the exposed piping, while simultaneously cutting off the access of your pets. Alternatively, you may be able to use curtains or rugs to conceal the exposed piping. This can help to prevent your pets from becoming tempted to chew on your piping.
Keep Toilet Lids Closed
Another important thing to do when pet-proofing your plumbing is to keep the toilet lids of your building closed. As was previously mentioned, drinking from the toilet bowl can be dangerous for your pets. When you keep the lids closed, you help to cut off your pet’s access to the toilet. This is important, even if you keep the bathroom door closed most of the time. It is possible that someone will forget to close the door and, if the toilet lid is left up, your pet will then have access to the toilet bowl.
Use Drain Stoppers
Drain stoppers can be a valuable addition to your home if you have pets. These fixtures can help to prevent damage to the plumbing system of your building. These stoppers are essentially like filters that you can put over your drains. These stoppers can help to prevent hair, fur, and other foreign components from entering the plumbing system of your building. This goes a long way toward preventing blockages that can otherwise impact the plumbing of your home.
Implementing pet-proofing strategies for your plumbing can go a long way toward preventing damage to your plumbing system. It is crucial to ensure that you take the appropriate steps to protect both your pets and your plumbing from potential damage. In general, it seems to be most effective to ensure that you prevent your pets from accessing your plumbing. When they can’t access the plumbing, they can’t damage it. You should also use drain stoppers to prevent clogs to your system. To learn more about the best solutions for pet-proofing your plumbing system, or to have damage repaired to your plumbing after the pet has damaged it, contact our team at S & B Plumbing today!