Can pets cause blocked drains?

How pet hair and waste can cause drain blockages

Accumulated pet hair can impede plumbing, resulting in blocked drains. Shedding from your dog or cat can result in significant fur buildup in your home’s sinks, tubs, and showers. Improperly disposing of pet waste down the drain can contribute to blockages.

Statistics reveal that Over 12 million Australian pet-owning households seek ways to prevent drain blockages caused by their pets’ hair and waste. The considerable amount of fur and waste entering drains explains why blocked drains are prevalent among pet owners. Accumulated pet hair could be causing blockage, making it necessary to deal blocked situations head-on, as it acts like a net, catching other debris like toilet paper or grease.

Regular drain maintenance is crucial for pet owners to avoid plumbing issues. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding, minimising pet hair around your sink and home. Proactive maintenance prevents damage due to accumulated pet hair.

Prompt use of drain screens or hiring a plumber to clear clogged drains can prevent larger issues.

Preventing pet hair from entering your drains

As a pet owner, employing practical methods can prevent blocked drains caused by pet hair.

1. Grooming pets outdoors helps capture loose fur, preventing it from reaching indoor drains.
2. Install drain strainers or screens over all drains to trap hair and debris, preventing drain blockage.
3. Use moist cloths to wipe and rinse pets post-bath, collecting hair before it enters drains.
4. Dispose of pet waste and kitty litter in the garbage, not the toilet, to avoid blockages.
5. Regular inspection and cleaning to use your septic tank and drains for common causes of blockages, such as accumulated hair or invasive tree root intrusions, with tools like drain snakes is advised.
6. Consider professional drain cleaning services 1-2 times a year to maintain clear pipes.

Incorporating simple habits into your routine can help prevent blocked drains and other plumbing issues. Protect your home and your drainage system from the most common pet-related clogs with some pet-proofing!

Using drain filters and enzyme cleaners

Installing drain filters or screens effectively catches hair, preventing clogged pipes. Plastic catchers serve as a first line of defence to clear blocked drain, especially the shower drain, from hair and debris. Regularly washing filters prevents drain blockages and removes trapped debris.

Enzyme-based cleaners effectively break apart stubborn blockages, ensuring clear drains. They use bacteria cultures to digest buildups in your sewer lines, making them safer for pipes than traditional cleaning products. Simple monthly application keeps drains clear.

Designated drain cleaners like Bioclean effectively prevent kitchen sink clogs. To clear blockages, just pour one cup of this solution down sink in your kitchen and tubs monthly before bedtime. If dealing with an existing clog, and you have a sump pump, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be a homemade alternative before trying Bioclean So Drain Gel - the thicker formula sticks to pipe walls to dissolve blockages.

Repeat if needed.

Using drain filters and biological cleaners is an effective and pet-safe way to prevent problematic clogs and keep drains free of blockages. Make them part of your regular maintenance routine.

Signs that your drains are becoming clogged

There are a few key signs that may indicate a blocked drain, such as your drains slowly becoming clogged due to pet hair or waste buildup:

• Water draining slowly from sinks, tubs, or showers
• Gurgling sounds coming from pipes when water drains
• Pools of standing water around drains after use
• Unpleasant sewage odours coming from drains
• Visible accumulations of pet hair around drain openings

Accumulating hair and debris increases the likelihood of severe clogging issues. The more sluggish your drain becomes, the more probable it is that a clog can lead serious plumbing issues. Pet owners should inspect drains weekly and take care by taking action at the first signs of sluggish performance to avoid extensive plumbing repairs.

Using drain filters, applying enzyme cleaners monthly, and hiring a professional plumber to routinely snake pipes are great ways to stay ahead of the most common causes of serious clogs. Early detection of minor blockages can protect your pipes from severe clogs in pet-owning households.

Trying a plunger or drain snake for simple clogs

Before seeking professional help, pet owners can attempt to remove simple clogs using a plunger or drain snake.

1. Begin by boiling water and carefully pouring it down the blocked drain to loosen buildup.
2. Place a plunger over the drain opening and plunge up and down rapidly 10-15 times to apply pressure inside the pipe.
3. Repeat plunging a few times, refilling the drain with hot water in between as needed.
4. If unsuccessful, a drain auger, also known as a plastic drain snake, may be a suitable tool. Slowly insert it as far as possible then twist and pull back. Repeat to hook and extract hair.
5. Wearing rubber gloves protects hands and prevents scratching pipes.
6. Conclude with a monthly enzyme cleaner flush to maintain clear drains.

DIY drain clearing can dislodge simple clogs, saving time and money. But if multiple attempts don’t improve drainage, the blockage may be extensive and can result in the need for a professional plumber to inspect and clear it fully.

Calling a professional plumber for serious or recurring issues

When confronted with a persistent issue related to pet waste from your dog cat, enlisting a drain plumber is essential. Persistent slow drains or recurring clogs despite DIY attempts often indicate significant obstructions.

There are a few scenarios in particular where getting a professional plumber on the scene immediately is the best course of action:

• When your drain is 100% blocked and water will not drain at all
• When burst pipes, water damage, or flooding is occurring from backed up drains
• When many attempts to use store-bought drain cleaners or manual tools have failed
• When clogs keep recurring in the same areas despite multiple home drain clearing efforts

As experienced, licenced plumbers, our team at Beecroft Plumbing have a wide variety of powerful, industrial tools for dislodging all manner of blockages. High-pressure jet hoses, industrial vacuums, and long, heavy-duty drain augers can reach deeply lodged debris that DIY methods just can’t handle.

Serious drain blockages brought on by pet hair, intrusive tree roots, collapsed pipes, or waste buildup necessitate professional-grade equipment for effective clearance. We can also inspect your pipes and drainage layout to advise on longer-term preventative solutions if you continually battle clogged drains as a pet owner.

Stay vigilant to prevent recurring or stubborn clogs from causing serious plumbing disasters. For urgent assistance, contact Beecroft Plumbing at 1300 349 338 if basic snaking doesn’t restore your drains.

How to keep pets from damaging pipes and plumbing

As a pet owner, it’s important to take measures to prevent hair other detritus from causing harm to your plumbing system around your home. The following tips can help you protect your plumbing:

1. Safeguard any exposed pipes, hoses or toilet components from being chewed on by pets. Use cord covers or hardware cloth to wrap vulnerable areas.
2. Keep toilet lids closed and secure them with childproof latches to deter pets. Cats love to drink from the toilet bowl!
3. Use secure bin lids for pet food storage containers to avoid spillage or food waste from being scavenged. This waste can clog drains or attract pests.
4. Position substantial pans beneath your pet’s water and food bowls to intercept any spillage and shield your floors from water damage. Buildup under bowls can damage flooring over time.
5. Consider a circulating water fountain for cats to reduce water spillage. These contain water mess better than bowls.
6. Use cord protectors on appliance power cords to prevent shock or electrical hazards from pets chewing through wires.
7. Store scrubbing pads, sponges, and plastic bags where pets cannot reach them. Ingestion of these can be extremely dangerous for pets.

With some simple steps and ways petproof your home’s vulnerable spots, you can avoid costly damage and ensure your plumbing remains in great shape for years to come. Protect those pipes so your furry BFF can enjoy safe, happy homes!