Plumbing problems are a common problem faced by many homeowners, but they can become more complex for those who have pets. If you are a homeowner with a pet, these essential plumbing tips will help you avoid plumbing-related issues in the future.
Outline:
- Prevent Digging
- Cover Exposed Pipes
- Use Drain Guards
- Stow away cleaning products
- Keep toilet lids closed
- Never flush cat litter
- Professional Plumbers in Waco, Texas
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are about one pet cat or dog for every 2.4 people in the US (Covington, 2023). With these statistics, it is no surprise that plumbing problems are common for homeowners. So, if you have a pet, consider the following preventive measures to help prevent issues with your plumbing system at home.
Prevent Digging
Dogs love to dig. It is a fact of life that all dog owners have to deal with. What you may need to know is that this behavior can cause damage to your yard, including the pipes underneath it. If your dog has access to the yard (or even just a small area), ensure they do not dig near buried water lines or pipes. Keep an eye out for signs that indicate where these underground lines are located, and avoid having them disturbed in any way by your pet’s antics. For example, if you notice your dog digging near a tree and then pausing, this could be an indication they have found something. As soon as possible, check the area to see what has been disturbed and take measures to prevent any further digging.
Cover Exposed Pipes
Dogs like to chew on everything, especially when they are puppies. However, even as they get older and move past their teething phase, they will still gnaw on anything that looks interesting.
Large and extra-large dogs weighing between 40 and 100 pounds are often the biggest chewers. Examples of dog breeds that fall within this category are labs, retrievers, and collies. However, smaller dogs like beagles and chihuahuas are also known for incessantly chewing and gnawing (Tastybone, 2022).
If you own one of these breeds, be sure to provide plenty of chew toys for your pet. Moreover, it is important that you cover all exposed pipes with a metal or plastic barrier. You can even try using chicken wire or similar material.
Use drain guards
Drain guards are important because they help prevent unwanted things from entering your drains. When it comes to pet-proofing, drain guards are necessary for keeping pet dander out of your pipes.
You can buy drain guards at any hardware store. They are small plastic or metal barriers that you place over your drains to prevent hair and other debris from entering them. Most drain guards have an opening in the middle so that water can still flow freely through your pipes.
If you have to remove the drain guard for any reason, make sure to put it back on as soon as possible. You mustn’t leave your drains exposed for too long because doing so will increase the risk of clogs and other issues.
Stow away cleaning products.
Any parent who has ever—or is currently—raising children knows that one of the most important things you can do to childproof your home is to keep all cleaning products out of reach and safe. The same rule applies to pet owners.
When you are finished using a cleaning product, make sure to put it away in a place where your pet cannot get to it. Most cleaning products are poisonous, and even just one drop from the bottle could be enough to kill your pet. If you have a small pet, like a hamster or guinea pig, it is even more important to keep cleaning products out of reach as these animals are much smaller than dogs and cats and are more susceptible to the chemicals in cleaning supplies.
Keep toilet lids closed.
Although no pet owner wants to see his or her animal drinking from the toilet, both dogs and cats have been known to do so. Drinking out of the toilet can pose several health risks if chemicals such as drain cleaners are present in the water supply. To prevent your pet from drinking from the toilet, keep the lid closed at all times.
You can also discourage this behavior by keeping a fresh bowl of water in your bathroom. Just remember that the water in the bowl should also be changed daily.
Never flush cat litter.
Cat litter should never be flushed down your toilet or run through your sink. Cat litter is made of clay, sand, and other materials that will plug up drains and pipes. Moreover, the toxins in the cat litter can also cause pipe corrosion, which may eventually require pipe repair or replacement.
To prevent this from happening, never flush cat litter down the toilet or run it through your sink. Instead, dispose of cat litter in a trash can lined with a plastic bag or tied up in newspaper before putting it outside for pickup by garbage collectors or disposing of it at an approved facility (such as a pet waste station).
Professional Plumbers in Waco, Texas
Enjoy more time with your favorite furry pet, and let our professional plumbers in Waco, Texas, deal with your plumbing woes. We will fix your plumbing problems and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is in good hands.
We will take care of any plumbing issues, no matter how big or small they are. Our plumbers are fully trained to handle all types of plumbing problems and can provide the best possible service to you. We can also do complex plumbing services, such as slab leak repair and trenchless sewer repair. We have plumbers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, if you need a professional plumber in Waco, Texas, or surrounding areas, give us a call at 254-749-7955 today.
Reference:
[1] Covington, Taylor. “Pet Ownership Statistics in 2023 | the Zebra.” The Zebra, January 5, 2023. https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/pet-ownership-statistics/.
[2] Tastybone. “6 Dog Breeds That Are the Biggest Chewers.” TastyBone, August 16, 2022. https://www.tastybone.com/blog/6-dog-breeds-are-biggest-chewers.
