Pets and Your Plumbing: Some Useful Tips
Every dog or cat owner knows just how important it is to pet-proof the house. Usually, this means storing all the dangerous foods high out of reach, installing a dog door and making sure the backyard fence is high and strong. But even the most well-intentioned pet owner can find it easy to overlook one important aspect of the home because most of it is hidden away: the plumbing.
Many well-meaning, pet-loving homeowners fail to protect both their furry friend and their home’s plumbing from each other. Shedding, digging and chewing can all wreak havoc on a plumbing system. However, taking a few simple precautions with Fido or Fluffy will keep your home free of pet-related plumbing problems. Take a look at these five tips from a plumbing service in Las Vegas, NV.
Use a drain strainer
Most pets absolutely hate bath time. The whole ordeal can be a major headache, between fighting to force the dog into the bath tub and then watching them jump on the couch soaking wet afterwards. Finding out the tub won’t drain because it is clogged with pet hair can only make matters worse. Stop this problem before it happens by using a drain strainer. This simple tool will catch the hair, preventing it from going down the drain and causing a blockage. Just pull the strainer out and remove the pet hair after the bath.
Flush smart
Cat litter isn’t the feline equivalent of toilet paper. Flushing kitty litter down the toilet can do some serious damage to the plumbing system by clogging the pipes, leaving you with no choice but to call a plumbing service in Las Vegas, NV for help. The only safe way to dispose of cat litter is in the garbage can.
Protect pipes from chewing
Dogs and cats love to chew to cure boredom, develop growing teeth or to relieve frustrations. It’s a natural trait that should be encouraged… that is, until they turn an exposed pipe into a chew toy. A teething puppy could unintentionally destroy an important plumbing pipe. Stop pets from gnawing at pipes by wrapping them in a no-chew bandage, which has a bitter taste dogs will want to avoid. Another option is to block off the area entirely. Make sure your pet has access to enough chew toys to keep them satiated without going for the pipes.
Watch out for backyard digging
Dogs love to dig. An enthusiastic digger could unearth shallow water lines and start to chew away. Always watch Rover closely to make sure he isn’t digging deep enough to affect the underground plumbing lines.
Pre-clean pet items
It might seem like there’s no way to rid dog bed or blanket or excess fur without just giving up and throwing it in the washing machine. But all that fur has nowhere to go but down the drain, which can clog the pipes. Take the time to use a lint roller to remove as much of the hair as you can before washing it.
Not all pet plumbing problems can be avoided. When disaster strikes, call the experts at Orchard Plumbing for helpful, affordable plumbing service in Las Vegas, NV.