Pet Hair and Your Plumbing: What You Need to Know

The Hairy Truth: Pet Hair and Your Home Plumbing

Tampa Bay just had the perfect cat loving weekend event: CATstravaganza at the Tampa Convention Center. Yet, if you’re a pet owner, you know the joys of having furry friends are often accompanied by the less joyful task of dealing with pet hair. Because, from clothes to carpets, pet hair gets everywhere, including places it shouldn’t—like your home plumbing system. So, in this blog, the experts at Billy the Sunshine Plumber explore how pet hair can affect your plumbing and provide tips on what to do (and what not to do) to keep your pipes clear and your home running smoothly.

Understanding the Problem

Pet hair can accumulate quickly, and when it finds its way into your plumbing system, it can cause significant blockages. And these clogs can lead to slow drains, backups, and even more severe plumbing issues. Because, hair combines with soap scum, grease, and other debris, forming stubborn clogs that can be difficult to remove.

What to Do: Preventative Measures

Brush Your Pet Regularly: Regular grooming reduces the amount of loose hair that could end up in your drains. Also, brush your pet outside or in an area where cleanup is easy.
Use Drain Covers: Install drain covers or hair catchers in your sinks, bathtubs, and showers. Because, these inexpensive devices trap hair before it enters your plumbing, making it easy to dispose of.
Clean Drains Regularly: Even with drain covers, some hair might slip through. So, clean your drains regularly with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot water. Because, this natural solution can help dissolve soap scum and break down minor clogs.
Proper Disposal of Pet Hair: When cleaning pet beds, blankets, and your own clothes, shake off as much hair as possible outside before washing. And use lint rollers or tape to remove hair from fabric surfaces.
Professional Plumbing Maintenance: Schedule regular plumbing inspections with Billy the Sunshine Plumber to catch potential issues early. Because Billy’s licensed professional plumbers can provide thorough cleanings and address any developing problems before they become major repairs.

What Not to Do: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Don’t Flush Pet Hair: Flushing pet hair down the toilet is a big no-no. Because, toilets are not designed to handle hair and other debris, which can lead to blockages in your sewer line.
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners: While it might be tempting to use chemical drain cleaners, these products can be harsh on your pipes and often only provide a temporary fix. And they can also be harmful to the environment and pose health risks if used improperly.
Don’t Ignore Slow Drains: If you notice your drains are slow, don’t wait to address the issue. Because, slow drains are often the first sign of a clog forming. So, take immediate action by cleaning the drain or Googling: plumber near me and call Billy the Sunshine Plumber.
Avoid Washing Pet Items Without Precautions: Washing pet items without removing hair first can cause hair to build up in your washing machine and drain. So, always shake off or brush out as much hair as possible before washing pet blankets, beds, and clothing.

Dealing with a Clogged Drain

If you find yourself with a clogged drain despite your best efforts, here’s what you can do:

Plunge the Drain: A plunger can be effective for minor clogs. So, ensure you have a good seal and plunge vigorously to dislodge the blockage.
Use a Plumbing Snake: For more stubborn clogs, a plumbing snake (or auger) can reach deeper into the drain to break up the obstruction.
Call a Professional: If home remedies don’t work, it’s time to call the professionals at Billy the Sunshine Plumber. Because, they have the tools and expertise to handle severe clogs without damaging your pipes.

Pet hair is an inevitable part of life for pet owners, but it doesn’t have to be a plumbing nightmare.

By taking preventive measures and avoiding common mistakes, you can keep your plumbing system in good working order. And, remember a little prevention goes a long way in keeping your plumbing—and your home—running smoothly. But, if you do have plumbing issues or clogs, Billy the Sunshine Plumber is here to help.

Billy the Sunshine Plumber has been the Tampa Bay 24-hour plumber of choice since 1924 when he first opened for business. And Billy the Sunshine Plumber is open 24/7/365 in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Because, days, nights, weekends, or holidays, Billy the Sunshine Plumber is always here for you.

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