Many homeowners are unaware that the characteristics they love most about their house pets could also be the cause of some of their significant plumbing issues. From that fluffy fur that makes your dog or cat purrfect to cuddle with to their almost child-like curiosity, these attributes can also carry some negatives. But the potential issues are not always obvious, so you will need to know how to combat them to avoid some costly plumbing problems in your future.
Pet Hair Problems
All of the drains in your home are subject to clogs from pet hair or fur. Unlike most human hair, pet hair covers almost everything in the house, from your hands and clothing to linens, towels, and floors. So any items you place in your washing machine or wash in a sink or tub, including your pets, deliver hair or fur to those drain lines. And when you add in soap scum, oily residue, and water, you have everything needed for a nasty clog and a potentially costly flood of dirty water in your home.
While you can’t eliminate the pet hair without removing your four-legged family member, you can take action to avoid unnecessary drain clogs. Using a lint brush to remove hair from clothing and linens before washing, placing a mesh screen over drains to capture loose hair in sinks and tubs is a good start. Next, vacuuming regularly will make a significant difference in the amount of pet hair or fur headed down your home’s drains. Finally, regular brushing and grooming will keep your pet more healthy and eliminate much of that loose hair from your home.
Your Pet’s Child-Like Wonder
If you have children, you know that the toilet can be seen as a magic device. Anything you drop can disappear with just the push of a level. But what you might not be thinking about is how engaging this household feature is to your pets. Cats will climb and jump on anything. And dogs are fond of fetching a drink or dropping toys or bones into toilets. The simple fix here is always to close the lid to ensure that no foreign objects are accidentally flushed.
Kitty Litter Problems
Kitty litter is one of those necessary evils if you own a cat. One of the latest innovations in the kitty litter world is the clumping formula that allows you to scoop out solid little discs to throw away rather than dumping the entire litter box. But the problem arises when you decide that clumps of cat waste can be disposed of like human waste. Kitty litter should never be flushed down the toilet. The tiny moisture absorbing granules continue to expand and become lodged in the drain lines of your home to create significant clogs and blockages. The only safe solution to this problem is to dispose of these nuggets in a trash receptacle. If the odor is an issue, purchase a box of affordable ziplock baggies for this purpose.
If pets are important members of your household, there are a few simple tips to follow to ensure that they are not contributing to your plumbing clog issues. Not only will it make your life easier, but in the case of the grooming tips, it will also keep your cat or dog looking and feeling great. However, if you have discovered this valuable information too late, call (214) 388-8838. The licensed plumbers at Flow Plumbing are experts at clog removal and drain cleaning. Our pros will eliminate any clogs and help you prevent future issues with some reliable and easy-to-follow tips.
