By Teri Silver

Dealing with pests in your plumbing is a problem no homeowner wants to deal with. Critters crawling through your pipes and drains are not only bad for your plumbing but can cause major damage to your property and pose health risks for you and your family.

Here are the top 5 ways to protect your plumbing from pests:

1. Seal Off Entrances and Exits

Rodents, like mice and rats, can squeeze through even the tiniest cracks. Because of this, it’s important to seal the doors and windows throughout your home as much as possible and to quickly repair any cracks or damage. You can also use door sweeps and weather stripping for extra security. If there are holes or tears in your windows or screens, make sure they are replaced, and patch up bigger openings with mesh, wood, and concrete.
●      Mesh screens can keep even the tiniest insects out of your home.

●      Drain covers, especially those with raised edges, can be beneficial for showers and tubs, preventing larger bugs from entering while also trapping hair and debris.

2. Inspect for Moisture

Rodents and insects are most attracted to moist and humid areas. Make sure you don’t have any leaks in your crawlspace, basement, laundry room, attic, or garage. Handheld moisture meters are available at home improvement stores and online, and if necessary, you can also buy moisture absorbers to help rid the dampness.

3. Conduct Regular Inspections and Cleanings

Bugs, like cockroaches, are the most common creepy crawlies found in plumbing. Because of the dark and dank corners to hide in, you’ll often find roaches in bathrooms and in the kitchen behind the stove.

Unfortunately, roaches multiply pretty quickly, so if you see one, there are likely a lot more, and you may have an infestation on your hands. So check your plumbing and drains consistently. Leftover food and residue in drains are the perfect place for pests like roaches to survive and thrive.  Roaches find these damp spaces ideal for laying eggs which sets the stage for an even bigger infestation in your home. 

To combat this:

●      Establish a regular cleaning schedule: set aside a day every week to conduct a thorough inspection of your pipes and to clean the drains. Use natural cleaning solutions like baking soda and vinegar combinations. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for about a half hour and then pour a boiling cup of hot water down the drain to flush it all out.

●      Declutter your home. A messy home with garbage strewn about can attract rodents. Aim to clean not only on a weekly or daily basis, but conduct seasonal deep cleanings.

4. Be Careful When Remodeling

Home remodeling presents a lot of unique challenges. For instance, termites may be drawn to wooden structures if they are not kept dry. Mice and rats can find their way in while your equipment is being replaced. And of course, open pipes are a perfect entryway for bugs and rodents.

5. Hire an Expert

The best way to protect your property from unwanted pests is to hire an experienced plumber. Here at Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing,  we can inspect your pipes to ensure everything is sealed and secure. So, give us a call. We are here to service you anytime, including emergency plumbing services across the Illinois area and suburbs.  Call us today at 708-845-7922.

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.