Keeping a pet is quite common in the USA. According to recent surveys, almost 68% of Americans own a pet. Now they may be man’s best friends, but that doesn’t make them friendly towards your fixtures and furniture or your plumbing system. Therefore, it is essential that you pet proof your home and the plumbing system in particular.
Pet proofing your plumbing system is of immense importance as this can go on to cost you in multiple ways. If your pet goes on to mess up the plumbing system while playing, you are looking at leaks around the house that will cost you hundreds of dollars in water damage, mold damage, and overcharged water bills. Furthermore, there’s a high chance that your pet may hurt themselves messing around with the plumbing fixtures. If you do not like the sound of any of these potential problems, it is best you pet proof your plumbing system. Below, we have compiled some of the ways you can do that.
Cover Pipes
We know how our pets love to chew everything that they see. Some do it because they may be teething, while others just do so out of habit. Dogs, kittens, hamsters, and parrots are all known to chew and damage furniture and fixtures around the house besides damaging things such as shoes, slippers, remote buttons, wirings etc.
As curious as they are, they will not hesitate to chew an exposed pipe. This little stunt, however, will be costlier than others as it will cause leaks that will expose your furniture, furnishings, walls, and flooring to water damage and mold growth or cost you in over charged water bills if the leaks are not detected in a timely manner. Moreover, you pet could expose itself to injuries that would further cost you in visits to the vet.
Therefore, make sure that the exposed pipes are all covered up and pet proof.
Don’t Flush the Cat Litter
Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and waste down the toilet drain. Stick to this piece of advice despite whatever the commercials may tell you. Some commercials allege that they are flushable, but cat litter leads to clogging of the drains over a period of time. It’s better to be cautious and not flush it if you don’t want problems with your plumbing system.
Close Toilet Lids
Sometimes, your pets may just develop a liking for drinking out of the toilet and find their way to it despite their water bowls being full. In that case, just keeping the toilet lids closed can help. This will save them from being exposed to the chemical residue from toilet cleaners as well as save the really small ones from falling in or drowning. Furthermore, they will be much more hygienic and you will be able to pat and kiss your furry friends without having to worry about where they might have been.
Make Sure That the Floor Drains Are Covered
Your small pup or kitten can find their way to the plumbing system through one of your open floor drains. It is essential that these openings are securely covered.
Keep Pet Water Bowls Full
When it comes to pet proofing the plumbing system, one of the easiest things to do is to ensure that your pets are readily supplied with fresh water. Yes, it’s that simple. If their bowls are not filled with drinking water, they will find their way to the toilet and drink out of it to fulfill the need for water. Therefore, see if their bowl is filled with enough drinking water every now and then so that they will stay away from the toilet.
See Where Your Dogs Are Digging
Some sewer lines in residential areas may not be laid deep enough into the ground. Some have their water or sewer lines just 18 inches into the ground. This is conveniently within your dog’s digging reach. If they go on to damage the underlying pipes, that will expose you to a whole lot of mess, inconvenience, and costly repairs that could have been avoided. If your dogs are into digging, you better keep an eye on where they are digging. Have a local technician come check and mark the areas where the lines may be. This will allow you to train your dogs to stay away from those areas.
Take Appropriate Precautions When Bathing Your Pets
Your pets can get really dirty playing in the yard, especially if they are of the furry sort. This is primarily because they will soak in all the dirt and mud. All that accumulated debris, dirt and fur will be a nightmare for your plumbing system when you take them for a bath. Some of the precautions that you can take for keeping your bath drain from being filled with excessive dirt and grime are:
- Bathing them outside in the garden
- Wiping or rinsing them to remove the excess dirt before taking them to bathtub
- Using strainers or drain stoppers to catch the debris and grime
Make Use of Scents
If you’ve tried most things and failed or you want a simpler solution to your dogs messing up the plumbing every now and then, try scents. Using strong scents such as perfumes and essential oils can keep your dogs off of your plumbing system. Dogs tend to stay away from flowery scents as it makes them sneeze. Try different combinations of scents to figure out what works best for you.
Pet proofing your plumbing system will give you immense peace of mind as well as save you from all the costly repairs and inconvenience that you would otherwise be exposed to. Above are some of the easiest and simplest ways you can pet proof your plumbing system. If you need help with any plumbing related issues around your house, acquire our dedicated plumbing services to take care of all your plumbing needs.