Pet Owners, This Is For You:
What would we be without our pets? They show us the kind of compassion that can’t be found anywhere else and they love us unconditionally. No matter what kind of pet preferences you have, we can all agree that animals are some of the greatest companions we could ask for. They can even become like family. However, just like the other members of the household, they can have an impact on your plumbing system. Shedding hair, kitty litter, and one or two not-so-cute habits can have you calling the plumber more often than you’d like.
Pet hair and clogged drains often go together. But a slow draining tub isn’t the only thing you need to think about when it comes to your plumbing system and your pets. You’ll also want to think about their safety around your toilets, tubs, and sinks.
We’ve put together some helpful pet owner plumbing tips. Now, you can spend more time playing with and loving on your pet and less time calling for plumbing repairs.
Do you need drain cleaning services in Anaheim, Yorba Linda, or Huntington Beach to get rid of those pesky pet hair clogs? Call Moffett Plumbing & Air today!
Tip #1: Use Drain Covers and Wrap Exposed Pipes
Exposed pipes and drains can be a threat to your home and your pets. When developing their teeth, puppies and kittens may choose your pipes as their plaything to chew on. It’s also possible that your young pet could hurt itself by getting a paw caught in a drain. To avoid potential issues, cover or wrap exposed pipes and drains. Make sure your pet has enough chew toys to keep them occupied. If you have a smaller critter, like a hamster, you’ll especially want to ensure that any floor drains are closed off.
Tip #2: Be Careful What You Flush!
Sometimes having a pet can feel a little bit like having small children. While they may be less likely to try to flush their chew toys down the toilet, they may develop a tendency to drink out of the toilet. While this may not bother you, your toilet and pipes might disagree. When cats reach into your toilet bowl, they may be carrying cat litter on their paws. Cat litter is notorious for causing clogs even in small quantities. Because of this, you should also avoid flushing pet waste and litter at all costs! Even if the product says it’s “flushable,” it could still harm your pipes and cause you to have to call for a plumbing repair.
Tip #3: Ensure a Safe Water Temperature
Just because the temperature of your water feels comfortable to you doesn’t mean it’s the same for your pet. Often, pet owners either use water that’s too hot or too cold without really knowing it. The first thing you’ll want to do is check the thermostat on your water heater. For homes with pets or small children, the ideal temperature is around 120℉. Any lower and your water could be more prone to harboring bacteria. Any higher and you could risk scalding your pet if they happen to turn a faucet on.
If the thermostat is set to a safe temperature and the water still seems too hot, you can have an Orange County plumber come out and check your water tank, your heating element, or your pressure relief valve for any problems.
Tip #4: Leave Plenty of Drinking Water Out
If your pet is thirsty but there isn’t enough water for them to drink, rest assured they’ll go to great measures to find some. Some pets are smart enough to learn to turn on a faucet. While this could make for a great Instagram post, it could also have unwanted consequences. A faucet that is left on can run up your water bill and you could end up with flooding if there is anything blocking the drains.
Some pets prefer to drink running water. It may be the reason that you often find your cat (who is too clever for her own good) turning on the faucet and drinking out of the tap. The problem is that she probably won’t be courteous enough to turn it off again. You may be able to resolve this problem by investing in a pet fountain that provides continuously flowing water. This will keep the water fresh and make it more appealing to your pets.
Whether you invest in something fancy or just a few more simple water bowls, the safest thing to do is to leave plenty of fresh water out for your pets so that they don’t have to try to find it elsewhere. For added safety, keep bathroom doors closed when you’re not home.
Tip #5: Keep Bathtime Outside
Has your dog just enjoyed a romp in the mud puddle in the backyard? You may not want to bring them inside to wash all of that dirt off. Not only will you be preventing a muddy trail of pawprints through the house, but you’ll also be preventing a clog. Lots of mud, grass, sticks, and hair can lead to tough clogs. Opt for using your garden hose instead.
Tip #6: Try a Drain Strainer to Prevent Pet Hair-Clogged Drains
If you do have to bathe your pet inside, you’ll need to take some precautions to prevent clogs. When there is dog hair clogging the drain, you’ll have to spend your afternoon trying to find ways to get it out. Even if you have a dog or cat that doesn’t appear to shed that much, the truth is that most pets shed to some extent, often more than we think. You can prevent pet hair from clogging the drain by using a drain strainer. This will also help make cleaning the tub easier, which is an all-around win!
What To Do When Your Drains Get Clogged
Sometimes no matter how hard you try to keep cat and dog hair from clogging the drain, it ends up in there anyways. Maybe your 15-year-old gave them a bath while you were away or you forgot to put the drain strainer in the tub. Regardless of what has caused the problem, you can always call an Orange County plumber to come out and fix the problem. If you live in Huntington Beach or any of the nearby cities, professional drain cleaning services are often a lot more effective than trying to do it yourself.
Drain cleaning services in Orange County can include everything from drain cabling to hydrojetting services for problems that are deeper in your plumbing system.
Enjoy More Time With Your Pet and Less With Your Plumber
If you have a furry pet, they can make your home a lot warmer. But caring for your pet and caring for your plumbing system can often seem like they are at odds. You can provide the right TLC for both by following some of these pet owner plumbing tips.
At Moffett Plumbing & Air, we’ve been offering drain cleaning services in Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, and Anaheim since 1969. Call us today for 24/7 plumbing services.