We love our furry friends. We also love when our plumbing works. However, we don’t love when pets cause plumbing problems. With nearly one-third of all U.S. homeowners having either a cat or a dog, pet-related plumbing issues are going to be more common than you think! With that in mind, you’re probably wondering how you can keep your plumbing safe from (and for) Buster and Bruiser? Well, we have some good news for you, we’ve listed a few tips to help keep your pets safe and your plumbing functional!
Cover exposed pipes
Pet-proofing and child-proofing your home are similar processes. It’s all about taking the dangerous things and keeping them out of sight. The very first task should be to cover up any exposed piping or wiring. You can use standard pipe covers or take a DIY route if you prefer.
It doesn’t matter how you do, just so long as you get it done. Simple covers will keep your pipes safe from the dogs. It’s fast and easy.
Install pressure-balancing valves
If you’ve ever been in the shower when someone flushed the toilet and got a rush of hot scalding water, then your home may lack pressure balancing valves. That’s a problem. Without pressure balancing valves, hot water could come out of any of your faucets all of a sudden, scalding whoever happens to be using that water.
Sudden bursts of hot water might sound like a minor annoyance for you, but that’s a major problem for pets. Luckily, you can install pressure balancing valves inexpensively and easily.
Keep your toilet lid closed
We never recommend the use of chemical drain cleaners because they’re acidic. They might dissolve your clogs alright, but they’ll usually dissolve your pipes at the same time. Pipes aren’t the only thing chemical drain cleaners can damage, either. If your pet ingests chemical drain cleaner, it’ll be a big problem. If you use a chemical drain cleaner in your toilet, keep the toilet’s lid closed while it does its thing.
You do not want your pet ingesting toxic leftover chemical residue from your toilet bowl water. Luckily, this is pretty easy to prevent. First, just keep your toilet lids closed at all times–even if you don’t use chemical drain cleaners. This will help keep them from learning that they can drink out of the toilet. Second, take the time to top off their water bowl at least twice a day. If they always have water, they’ll never need to look for it elsewhere.
Make sure your dog isn’t digging too deep in the yard
Some sewer lines might only be a foot and a half deep under your yard. If your dog loves digging, make sure they’re never in the backyard unsupervised. Dogs can easily dig their way down (and through!) sewer line pipes, rupturing the pipes in the process.
At Michael’s Plumbing, we can handle all of your plumbing needs, from a dripping faucet to a complete remodel. Give us a call (407) 219-9772 or contact us online today!