Imagine waking up in the morning to find water pooled in your yard— it sounds no less than a nightmare for every homeowner. Something similar happened with Kelvin Rundle. In January 2023, Mr. Rundle filed a $12,000 claim with the Adelaide Magistrates Court because sewage backed up onto his property.
That’s just one plumbing disaster in Adelaide that made headlines. Many plumbing-related disasters go unnoticed because nobody wants to discuss them unless their drains clog or pipes block.
From tree roots to foreign materials in the pipes, anything can lead to sewage backup. But did you know that your furry friend could wreak havoc on your plumbing systems? We bet you didn’t.
In this guide, we’ll share a few valuable tips that will keep your plumbing systems intact while enjoying your fur baby’s company.
#1 Brush, Brush, and Brush!
Hair, soap scum, and skin flakes aren’t the only culprits behind clogged pipelines. Your pet’s fur could be responsible for the plumbing woes you’re experiencing. Washing your fur baby in the yard or the bathroom is one way their hair enters the plumbing system. But will your plumbing woes end if you stop washing it at home and send it to a grooming center? Definitely not!
Pet hair often accumulates in clothes, bedding, and other fabrics. Of course, removing them is a real chore for both you and your washing machine. When you toss textiles covered with pet hair in the washing machine, they form clumps. This clump adheres to the sides of the washer drain, ultimately clogging drain pumps.
Brushing your fur baby’s coat regularly will minimize the number of hairs that will end up in your plumbing. Nowadays, specialized brushes and combs are available on the market to groom your fur baby’s coat. Doing so will remove loose hairs from its body, thereby minimizing clogs.
#2 Use a Drain Guard
Despite brushing and grooming your fur baby, some stubborn pet hairs will settle in the drain. Your plumbing lines won’t get clogged as quickly as it would otherwise. But at some point, the loose hairs down the drain will form into lumps and block your pipelines.
If you are an Adelaide resident, blocked drains won’t be new to you. They are, in fact, among the most common plumbing issues in the city. How do you prevent stubborn loose hairs from going down the drain, then? Well, it’s simple: install a drain guard.
We aren’t the only ones saying this, but plumbers in Adelaide advocate this, too. The purpose of a drain guard is to prevent hair, debris, and other foreign objects from entering the drain without blocking water from flowing through.
Drain guards are available in various types, but you should opt for rust-proof stainless steel ones. Obviously, they last longer than those made of plastic.
Royal Flush Plumbing advises homeowners to clean the drain guards regularly. If you don’t do so, food particles, hair, and other foreign particles will accumulate on it and hamper its functionality.
#3 Avoid Flushing Pet Waste Down the Drain
Your fur baby’s hair isn’t the only thing that could lead to plumbing woes. Flushing dog waste and cat litter down the toilet can lead to plumbing woes. Pet waste is so stubborn that it could result in stubborn clogs.
Your sewer system could also get damaged if you keep flushing your fur baby’s drooping down the toilet, especially dogs. That’s because dog droppings contain pathogens that wastewater treatment systems cannot process properly.
The best way to dispose of your fur baby’s waste is to scoop them into biodegradable bags and toss them in the garbage bin. You can also work with a pet waste collection service so that waste is appropriately processed at a treatment facility.
#4 Use Pipe Covers
Felines don’t chew on objects, but canines are different, and they love chewing on things. That means they may gnaw on faucets, hoses, or pipes. It’s always a good idea to use covers for exposed pipes, especially those that are low or at ground level.
Using pipe covers will prevent your dog from chewing on them. This way, your puppy’s teeth will be protected, and, of course, your pipes will be safe from damage. Ask for recommendations from a local plumber or visit a hardware store to see available options.
Besides using pipe covers, get your pup plenty of chew toys, as the numerous options will keep them away from exposed pipes. Also, keep tabs on your puppy to make sure it isn’t exploring the plumbing fixture. If it does, stop it immediately, or it will chew pipes whenever it can.
In case you come across any pipes that are frayed or have chewing marks, replace them right away. Local plumbers in Adelaide provide insights into common plumbing issues, which could come in handy when your fixtures or pipes malfunction. Be sure to follow them on social media platforms. That way, if your plumbing system acts up in the wee hours of the night, you can fix it quickly.
Royal Flush Plumbers Adelaide’s Instagram account can be your best alley during an emergency. It keeps updating its Instagram account with valuable content on plumbing, which will come in handy when a disaster occurs.
What Next?
No matter how diligent you are, some loose hair will end up in your home’s plumbing. This eventually will lead to blockage. One of the first tell-tale signs of clogged drains is slow drainage of water. In case you notice that, call a plumber right away. That’s because plumbing systems are complex. You will have to incur hefty damages if you damage the system accidentally. Therefore, it’s best to let professionals do their job.
