Creatures That You Can Find On Your Pipes That Might Shock You

Wildlife can present a challenge for your building's many systems. They can often interfere with and damage some of your installations and equipment, resulting in situations where you need to do emergency repairs. They can disrupt the function of your building to varying degrees, from annoying to a catastrophe, all resulting in high costs.  

One of the most typically affected is your plumbing systems since the pipes have many connections to water supplies and waste ports that small animals can quickly enter. You might be aware of some, but the rest on this list might shock you. These are some creatures that you could find in your pipes that could astonish you:  

Rats  

Rats come in different sizes and colors, and you can find them almost anywhere. They run through the streets eating people's rubbish, and since they are superb swimmers, they can find a place in your drainage system.  

Opossums  

If you believe you have a lifeless opossum in your pipe, double-check it or contact an animal rescue organization. Protecting these little critters' lives is crucial because they can play dead when they're not. They are omnivorous and advantageous to humans because they do minor damage and eat unwanted insects, slugs, and snails. Opossums have several advantages, including keeping undesired vermin like roaches and rodents out of neighborhoods.  

Badgers  

Badgers have powerful legs and sharp claws that enable them to dig burrows and locate food beneath. They excavate tunnels and caverns for shelter and utilize leaves and grass for sleeping. A badger's den is what you call a sett. If you are away for the winter, they may consider your sewer connection at your building a sett, so you should check before returning to your property.  

Small Reptiles and Amphibians  

While these amphibious creatures aren't as frightening as a swimming rat, they're a shock when you see them as you raise the toilet seat. Since a warm and damp environment is where they thrive, frogs and lizards are among the most typical species that you can see in toilets. The majority of them are entirely safe, and you can let them go outside. 

Drain Flies 

Drain flies, commonly called moth flies, are frequent household pests. These insects feast on decomposing debris and lay eggs in the viscous mucus that forms along the inside walls of your drainage pipes, where they thrive and breed. Even though these insects do not bite or carry disease, no one enjoys seeing tiny, flying bugs with wings coming out of otherwise spotless sinks.  

What You Can Do  

There is likely a problem if you see anything crawling within your toilet. One of your underground pipes may have a hole in it. Rodents and snakes live underground, and it could be a method for them to get entry. If you reside in a location with a one-way sewage system, you may be more likely to notice some unwanted visitors in your pipes.   

Installing airtight and watertight exterior access doors is one solution to this issue because you can utilize them for both routine maintenance and as an entry point to quickly resolve concerns.  

Your roof has a vent that links to your sewage lines. Animals can utilize this channel to get in. Placing wire mesh over the vent cover is one technique to prevent this instance. Avoid putting a towel or screen in front of it because it could cause an obstruction. Contact your local experts if you require any assistance or guidance during the yearly inspection to ensure that the vent is breathing correctly.  

The Takeaway  

A healthy plumbing system is necessary for the health and well-being of anyone occupying your property. It brings clean water and provides a way for you to dispose of waste that could become a health hazard safely. Suppose animals become a threat to your system's function. In that case, you need to call a reputable professional who can advise and help you plan a strategy to prevent future issues and fix the current ones if there are any.  

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson