We all love our furry friends, but some times our pipes do not. Here are a few plumbing best practices for pet-owners.
1. Cover Pipes
If you’ve ever had a puppy you understand that no object is safe from being chewed on, even your pipes! This can be very harmful and lead to a serious plumbing issue. It’s best to keep pipes covered or away from pet’s reach. Instead, keep chew toys and treats around the house. They probably will enjoy those more anyway.
2. Pressure Balancing Valves – Get them
Have you even been in the shower and the temperature dramatically changes after someone flushes the toilet? While it only causes us a moment of surprise, it could seriously scald or scare your pet. Installing pressure balancing valves on your showers and faucets will avoid this.
3. Close Toilet Lids:
This one is for the safety of your animal! When they are thirsty for a drink, pets can ingest chemicals we use to clean our bathroom. No matter how often you re-fill water for your furry friend, it’s best to keep the seat down.
4. Don’t Flush Cat Litter
Many times the packaging on cat litter claims that it is “flushable.” However, this often leads to a clogged toilet. The only thing that should go in the toilet is waste or toilet paper.
5. Bath Time
Most owners bathe and groom pets in their bathtub. Unfortunately, this is the cause for many slow moving drains. The Labrador Retriever for example, is a wildly popular family dog. However, it requires a lot of maintenance and sheds more often than most. To avoid this issue, make sure to use a bath strainer or stopper.
