Ways To Pet-Proof Your Plumbing
America is undoubtedly a nation of pet lovers. With an average of 1.8 dogs and 1.6 cats per household, learning how to protect your appliances and plumbing system from furry family members is all-important. After all, pets can have a huge impact on your plumbing system, even if they don’t mean to, and most of the problems caused by pets are not immediately noticeable! From chewed fixtures and fittings to hair getting caught where it shouldn’t be, ignoring your pets’ impact on your plumbing could lead to an expensive bill from your local plumber.
4 Simple Ways to Pet-Proof Your Plumbing
By taking a few simple, pre-emptive measures to protect your pets and your plumbing system, you could save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repairs over the span of your pet’s life. Here are 4 things you can do to pet-proof your plumbing;
1. Cover Exposed Piping
Chewed shoes, toys, or soft furnishings can be frustrating, but a determined dog, especially a larger one with strong jaws, can chew and damage exposed pipe when they put their mind to it. This is not only very bad for your pets’ teeth (as well as being potentially toxic), but could also lead to small tears, cracks, or chips in the pipes themselves. By covering exposed pipes you can protect your pet, your plumbing, and make sure that your home always operates at its best!
2. Be Careful What You Flush
It can be tempting to flush things like pet hair or kitty litter down the toilet, but doing so could result in serious damage to your plumbing system. Fur and kitty litter, in particular, are very likely to cause stubborn blockages within your sewage system and this, as you know, can do huge damage to both your plumbing and your home as a whole. There’s nothing quite as horrible as flooding caused by a backed-up sewage line.
3. Clean Your Pets Outside
No-one wants a dirty pet running around the house, and keeping fur trimmed is essential for ensuring your pet’s comfort as the summer closes in, but you should resist the urge to clean and groom your dog indoors. When you wash your pet in the tub or shower, all of the mud, loose fur, and debris go down your drains and into your plumbing system. This can lead to serious clogs, blockages, leaks, and cracks.
4. Keep the Toilet Lid Down
This tip is more about your pet’s safety than your plumbing. While letting your pet drink from the toilet can be harmless to your plumbing system, it could make your pet very sick! The residual bacteria and chemicals in toilet water can cause real problems for your pet’s stomach and kidneys. Likewise, small pets could fall into the toilet if left unsupervised. By keeping the toilet lid down you will prevent them from having access to potentially damaging substances.
Of course, as your pets get older their behavior should mellow, but it’s best to take these simple precautions to ensure that you don’t need an emergency repair or vet appointment because of an avoidable accident!