When it comes to your home plumbing system, it's important that it is both child and pet friendly. Failing to keep up with correct maintenance or failing to pay attention to small issues can lead to a whole range of problems and put your children and pets at risk, which is why it's essential to child and pet-proof your plumbing.
Pet-proofing your home is not too different from child-proofing your home; it's all about keeping your little ones safe and out of trouble. In this article, we share our top tips for ensuring your plumbing system is child and pet friendly, along with a few tips to help keep them as safe as possible.
Cover exposed pipes
Firstly, take the time to cover up any exposed pipes or wiring. Concealing pipes into the wall offers an extra measure of security; your pipes will not get damaged unless there is severe impact on the wall. If you're unable to conceal pipes in the wall, invest in some pipe covers. There are plenty of options available and you can buy pipe covers from your local handy store. If neither of these options is possible then you may want to box the pipes in.
Both pets and children are curious by nature, so make sure exposed pipes are covered in case they go exploring. If your pet bites through a pipe, you could end up with a huge (and expensive) problem on your hands. Leaking pipes can lead to costly damage, so it's best to make sure your pipes are covered and hidden.
Install drain covers
Installing drain covers will help to prevent your little ones from clogging your drains with small items. A single toy lodged in your plumbing system can lead to a damaging and costly flood, which is why it's always best to cover up drains if you've got little ones around.
A clog can easily happen in a bath, sink, shower or toilet. If your child drops a foreign object down the drain - even as small as the lid of a shampoo bottle - it can wreak havoc with your entire system. Toddlers and young children love small toys, so make sure you invest in some drain covers if you want to keep them away from your plumbing system.
Find a lock toilet lid
Accidents do happen. Toilets can be fascinating for children; they make strange noises, swirl water around and are something adults and older children use. Not only can little ones drop their toys down the toilet, but they're also a drowning hazard. To avoid any plumbing disasters and keep your children well away from the toilet, invest in a lock toilet lid. If your child does wander into the bathroom, at least the toilet is out of bounds!
Keep up with regular maintenance
Without the correct maintenance in place, you're always at risk of plumbing problems. From backed-up sewage systems to burst pipes, there are lots of issues that you can run into. To keep you and your children safe, it's important that you look after your plumbing system. Regular inspections will ensure your system remains in top condition.
It's also a good idea to teach your children to respect the plumbing system from a young age. When it comes to plugs, sinks and drains, little ones don't know any better - and therefore it's up to us to teach them the dangers of dropping items into the drains.
Teach your children what should and shouldn't go down the toilet; they may easily confuse baby wipes with tissue. However, napkins and baby wipes can easily clog your system.
Keep pet water bowls full
Your pets water bowl should always be full for obvious reasons. Not only is it absolutely essential to ensure your pet is hydrated and has access to clean water at all times, but ensuring your pet's bowl is full will stop them from heading to the toilet to quench their thirst. Make sure you check your pet's water bowl frequently throughout the day and keep the toilet lid down to stop them from drinking from the toilet.
Pay attention to where your dog digs
Residential sewer and water lines are supposed to be buried deep in the ground. However, some lines may be closer to the surface than you expect and this can cause issues if the lines are not far below the surface of your lawn. Some sewer lines may only be a foot and a half deep under your garden.
If your dog likes to dig in the garden, it's important that your dog does not dig down to the residential sewer and water lines. This could cause them to rupture the pipes.
To prevent this from happening, it's always a good idea to contact a local utility technician to visit your property and locate the lines in your garden. This way, you'll know exactly where it's ok for your dog to dig without putting themself in danger.
Be careful when bathing your pet
Bathing your pet can get messy! When bathing your pet, make sure you take some extra precautions. Excess dirt, debris and fur can get down the drains and wreak havoc with your plumbing system. If you're unable to wash your pet outside and you must do it in the bath, make sure you use a drain stopper or strainer to stop any dirt, hair or debris from clogging your system.
Find a leak specialist near you
Unfortunately, there's going to be some occasions when you're going to need a plumber on hand. Whether it's because your child has dropped a toy down the toilet or your pet has bitten into a pipe, finding a specialist near you is key.
Alternatively, your property may have a leak that you can't quite locate or one that needs urgent attention. In this case, it's essential to have a leak specialist on hand to sort the problem for you. Remember, the sooner you get a plumbing issue fixed, the less it will cost you. Plus, if you act quick enough, you can minimise the amount of damage caused to your property. Looking for a roof leaking specialist? Look no further than Leak Tracers Direct
At Leak Tracers Direct, we offer expert leak detection and building repair services. Whether you're experiencing particularly high energy bills or you've noticed signs of damp and mould on your ceiling and walls, our team of experienced and skilled leak specialists can help. We will find your leak, carry out all the work to get to it and if you want us to, we'll agree costs with your insurer to put everything right again.
We use the latest technology to ensure we can locate and fix your leak as soon as possible, including thermal imaging and endoscope cameras, gas tracing probes and acoustic microphones. Your home is likely your biggest investment and therefore it's important to protect it from damage at all times. This includes protecting it from the threat of leaks.
We offer both domestic and commercial services, helping to detect leaks in properties of all kinds. Whether your floors are warped or your hot water takes too long to heat up, our team of experts can help you solve the issue.
For more information about our services, visit our website.