How to Pet-Proof Your Plumbing Friday, December 13, 2019

We often think about childproofing our toilets, cabinets, and more, but our pets can get into just as many messes as a child can. From drinking toilet water to digging up pipes, pets can inadvertently cause a lot of damage and issues to your plumbing.

Here are some tips on pet-proofing your central Florida plumbing in areas such as Plant City, Winter Haven, Lakeland, and nearby cities.

If possible, bathe your pets outside and then cover the tub drain.

Dog and cat fur can get muddy quickly, and washing all that mud and grime down your pipes can lead to a clog that you'll have to work to eliminate. Instead of directly putting that debris into your plumbing system, try to hose them off outside before putting them in the tub. Once they're in the tub, make sure the drain is covered with something that will stop their hair from going into the pipes. Preventing a clog now will help you avoid costly plumbing repairs later.

Make sure your pet's water bowl is always full.

If you have a dog or kitty who's prone to try and drink out of the toilet, then there are easy ways to avoid that problem. If you ensure your pet has a full water bowl, then they will leave the toilet bowl water alone. Some pets will still be determined to try and drink from the toilet, so it's recommended to always keep the toilet lid closed. Drinking toilet water can be hazardous to your pets' health.

Learn where your plumbing pipes are in your yard.

Many pups like to dig in the dirt, but this can end up causing large plumbing problems. Water and sewer lines are buried under the ground, sometimes only about 12-18 inches deep. If your dog digs deeply enough, they could find the pipes and damage them. If you learn where your plumbing pipes are located, then you can keep your dogs away from these areas and avoid pipe damage.

Do not flush pet waste or kitty litter down the toilet.

The only things that should ever be flushed down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Anything else can accumulate in your pipes and cause a clog. It may seem like an easy option at the time, especially since pet waste can cause unpleasant smells in your trash can, but in the long run, you'll cause a high plumbing bill.

Keep cabinets locked so pets can't access pipes or cleaning chemicals.

Under your cabinet lie many hazards for pets. They can get in, chew on pipes, and then cause damage to themselves or the pipes. They can also get into cleaning chemicals that may be stored underneath sinks, and those can be potentially fatal if ingested. It's best practice to keep your cabinets locked or to use babyproofing materials to keep them out.

Do you have a pet-related plumbing problem? Contact our team now!

The plumbing team at True Plumbers & AC is available 24/7 to address any plumbing issues, even ones created by your pets. Give us a call at (863) 667-6364 if you're in areas such as Winter Haven, Lakeland, Plant City, and nearby Florida cities.