Pets are a welcome addition to homes. They provide support and companionship and are a great source of entertainment for owners. However, even the most well-behaved poets can cause problems. Pets that live inside can also incur the risk of damage, namely, water damage.

Water damage is when moisture affects your property, requiring professional water damage restoration. Since treating water damage can be expensive, you can take measures to prevent this occurrence in the first place.

How Do Pets Cause Water Damage?

Pets like dogs and cats often traverse into the house. Due to this, they can often be a source of water damage inside your property.

Wet Paws

Dogs and cats that have been out in the garden or yard can bring their wet feet inside. You can’t expect a dog or cat to wipe their feet on the mat before, so be prepared to see their marks on the floor. When the moisture from their dirty feet sits on the floor for too long, it can cause water damage. Hardwood floors can lose their shape and warp when exposed to moisture for too long. Hardwood floors can be expensive to repair and recover.

Spills

Just like children, pets can be clumsy. How many times has your dog’s tail knocked over a glass of water on the coffee table? This spill will lead to water stains if the water is left to sit there for too long. Water stains can be hard to get rid of and can ruin the aesthetic of your home. If water seeps under the rug or carpet, it will lead to mold growth, requiring professional mold remediation.

Urination

Dogs and cats may also urinate inside the house. This will cause water damage and release an odor in the place. Even the most trained pets can urinate inside the house due to stress or a urinary tract infection. If this is not cleaned immediately, it might ruin the floor or wall where the pet urinated.

How to Prevent Water Damage with Pets?

Now that you know the risk of water damage in homes with pets, you can take preventative measures to solve the problem. If you want clean, unstained floors and furniture, here are some steps that you can take.

Clean Spills Right Away

If your dog or cat urinated in the house or spilled water, you should clean it right away. You can use a diluted vinegar and water solution to remove the smell. Make sure you clean this area with a dry cloth. Do not leave any moisture behind, as this moisture will then seep into the floor. If water is left to sit, it will cause the floor to lose its shape or sustain an unsightly stain.

Keep Pet Water Bowls Outside

Pets tend to splash water outside as they drink from their water bowl. This is why you should either keep their water bowl outside or on top of a plastic sheet. This way, you will prevent water from falling on your floor and potentially ruining it. This water may also seep into nooks and crannies, leading to mold and mildew.

Clean Their Paws After Outdoor Play

If your dog has been outside, its paws may very well be wet. This water and dirt will wreak havoc inside the house. Cats even climb on sofas, so their wet paws might cause stains. To prevent this, you should clean your pet’s paws with a dry cloth, so they don’t bring traces of water inside the house.

Choose Pet-Friendly Floors

You should choose pet-friendly floors that are as water, stain, and scratch-resistant as possible. You want to save as much repair costs as possible, so choose the most durable floor type.

You may choose:

• Tile floors
• Laminate floors
• Engineered hardwood floors
• Luxury vinyl

Avoid:

• Carpets
• Solid hardwood

Don’t Let Pets Into The Bathroom

Pets that live inside are usually clean. However, dogs and cats can enter the bathroom where they might be exposed to water. They can carry these wet paws into the rest of the house, which will incur the risk of water damage. Keep bathroom doors closed or train your pets so as not to enter certain areas.

Keep Litter Boxes Close By

Cats tend to urinate in odd places if their litter box isn’t in its usual place. They would also urinate outside if the litter box has not been cleaned. Cats are a stickler for cleanliness, so make sure you maintain their litter tray. If your dog urinates inside the house, take him to the vet to deduce the cause behind this.

The Bottom Line

Water damage can be a serious problem in homes. Water that sits for too long will not only cause floors to lose their shape, but also incur the risk of mold growth. You can take measures to prevent water damage from pets.

If you still notice water damage in your property, you should contact 911 Restoration. Our team of experts will tend to any water damage and ensure your property is back to pre-damage condition.