At Pest ID, we are always confident that we can get rid of any rat infestation. However, if there is a drainage defect, there is likely an unlimited supply of rats that can replace a current infestation. It may be months or even years before more rats discover the entry point, but it will likely lead to more pest control costs and potentially more damage within a property, as well as the health related risks associated with rats.
Between 50% and 60% of domestic rodent infestations can be attributed to defective drains. The main causes of a drainage defect that allow rats into properties are builders, ground workers, people building extensions or people messing around drain systems.
That’s why, if your property has had a rat infestation, we recommend a drainage survey to be carried out within your property boundary to identify and resolve any drain defects.
Why Get a Drainage Survey?
Drainage surveys often indicate direct entry points from damage to the drains. Drain defects are caused by:
- Building work
- Builders that have damaged the drains
- Vibration of heavy plant damaged ceramic pipes
- Sub-standard building work
- Clay soil expanding and contracting over years
- General age and deterioration of the pipes
- Remote machines ‘moling’ new pipes underground, i.e. underground machines that drag new gas or electric cables
- Redundant pipes not being capped off or capped off correctly
- Tree root damage
Rats can enter from defective / broken pipes, which they follow from the outside of the pipe until under the cavity walls, then usually head up into cavities which give them the run of the house.
Please see examples of entry points caused by defects below:
By having a professional survey carried out, we can determine the exact source of the problem, which can often be repaired without the need to dig up any pipes.
What to be Aware of:
Be warned – Water companies will only survey drains outside of your property boundary, i.e. water company-owned drains – and once the survey has been done, they will often verbally state their drains are fine. They won’t give it in writing and that does not mean the privately owned parts of the drain are OK.
We also find that many standard drainage companies can miss damaged pipes where rodents enter because they are simply not trained to look for rodent entry damage. We have known some infestations where 3 or 4 drainage survey companies have missed the fault, before a more reputable firm has identified where the rats are getting in.
To get a better understanding of these problems, you can check out this industry video https://youtu.be/qs5eJYJ6AKo.
Pest ID’s Recommendation
Drainage problems can be our worst nightmare – If we suggest you need a survey, and either the water company or the drainage contractor cannot find a problem, you then lose faith in us and we lose faith in the drainage companies. You are then financially worse off and still have a rat problem.
We therefore suggest that you contact Brad or Tom at ADT Drainage as we know the quality of their work is of a very high standard.
Advanced Drainage Contact Details:
Website: https://www.adt-drainage.co.uk/
Phone: 07572764902
Email: Tom@adt-drainage.co.uk or Brad@adt-drainage.co.uk
If Drain Defects Are Found:
If damage to your drains are found, this could be the first step towards making a household insurance claim. If so, please check with the surveyor as they can create a more detailed survey for your insurers at a small extra cost.
If you’d like to speak to us about rat infestations or any other problems with pests, get in touch with our friendly team of experts today and we’ll be happy to help!
