Everything You Have To Know About Pet-Proofing Your Plumbing

We love our pets and we love when our plumbing is working in the best conditions. It’s not often that one stops to think about or even associates pets and plumbing, right? At All State Plumbing & Heating, we want pet owners to beware that some pet-related plumbing problems that can arise. So, we created this plumbing tips list with everything you have to know about pre-proofing your plumbing!

It’s a general rule that as a pet owner you probably already know to expect the unexpected with anything! However, by incorporating these best practices you will help keep both your pets and pipes safe from one another. 

Let’s start with some simple tips

Keep Your Toilet Lids Closed

Does your pet ever get thirsty? We can think of a few unexpected water sources they may try to wrangle into. So, tip #1 is that you always put down that toilet seat. Remember that we never recommend the use of chemical drain cleaners, because they’re toxic and acidic. They might dissolve your clogs alright, but they’ll usually dissolve your pipes as well. You don’t want your pets getting a taste of that!

So, you must keep your toilet lids closed because if your pet ingests chemical drain cleaner, it’ll be a big problem. You should keep it closed even if you don’t use chemical drain cleaners to get your pets in the habit of not using the toilet as a water source. Secondly, top off their water bowl at least three times a day.  Remember, make sure that your pet has easy access to clean drinking water, otherwise, they will go looking for it – no matter where it hides!

Cover-Up Exposed Pipes

Pet-proofing your home is all about hiding the dangerous objects from your pets. So, you can start by covering-up any exposed pipes or wiring in your house. You can find basic pipe covers at Home Depot and Lowe’s. It doesn’t matter where you buy it because they will help make sure your dog can’t chew through your pipes and we know our pets love to chew, bite, scratch and claw at anything and everything!

Use Drain Guards or Stoppers

It’s a healthy practice to keep your pets clean with regular bathing and brushing. So, we suggest you be sure to put a drain strainer down to catch their fur and prevent unwanted clogs. Did you know that hair and pet fur is one of the leading causes of clogged shower drains in Danbury, Ridgefield, Brookfield, and New Milford, CT? Remember that cats and dogs can let loose a lot of fluff while you’re bathing them. So, while you may think that the hair is disappearing, it’s just settling somewhere down the line of your drain, where it will eventually create a serious blockage. 

Installing drain guards or stoppers is the cheapest and best solution for avoiding clogged drains!

Watch What You Flush

Be careful with what you flush. You should never flush anything down your toilet other than exactly what is supposed to go down those drains. Avoid flushing kitty littler or animal waste in bags because they can end up harming your plumbing system. While there are some pet products and litters that claim to be safe to flush, we don’t recommend to do it. 

So, our plumbers at All State Plumbing & Heating recommend that pet waste bags and littler should only go in the garbage. In our years of experience, we’ve found so many houses with plumbing problems in Connecticut due to pet waste and littler in their drains causing costly damages to their homes.

Keep an Eye on Your Dog

Make sure that your dog isn’t digging too deep in the yard. We know it sounds crazy but it has happened so many times before! It’s important to note that some sewer lines might only be a foot and a half deep under your yard. Therefore, if your dog loves digging, make sure they’re never in the backyard unsupervised. 

By following these pet-friendly plumbing tips, you can keep your pipes running in the best condition and avoid some unexpected problems. However, if you’re having a pet-related plumbing problem, call the best plumbing experts in Danbury, Ridgefield, New Milford, and Brookfield, CT. The professional plumbers at All State Plumbing & Heating can quickly evaluate the problem and provide the needed solution.

Contact us at (203) 994-5202 or just click in here!