If you’ve noticed nasty odours, unusual noises, and slow drainage, you could have an infestation. Rats can cause multiple problems, chewing through your pipes and causing untold damage to your property. 

Any infestation needs to be dealt with fast, but who’s responsible if you suspect you have rats in your pipes?

Who is responsible if rats get into your drains?

Finding out you have rats in your drains can be unsettling and could rapidly develop into a nightmare without swift action. Tackling the problem effectively means identifying where your intruders came from. But does the issue lie in your drains or the public sewers? And are you still responsible if you rent, not own?

Shared-drain properties

If you’re a homeowner, you must establish where the infestation is coming from. If you suspect you have a rat problem, a CCTV drain survey can help pinpoint the source of the infestation. 

If the rats are confined to your private drain system, you’re responsible for having them removed by a professional pest control contractor. On the other hand, if the rats are coming from the public sewers, your local water company needs to take charge.

Businesses and commercial spaces

If you own a business or commercial space and have a pest control problem in your drains, we recommend checking the terms of your lease to see who is responsible. Generally, it’s the tenant’s responsibility to take necessary action.

Is my landlord responsible?

If you’re a tenant, you should report any rat problems to your landlord or property management company as quickly as possible. You’re not responsible for dealing with the problem, but early detection is vital. Landlords are legally obligated to keep their properties — and drains — free from pests like rats.

How common are rats in drains?

If you’ve found rats in your drains, you’re not alone. According to recent research, there are around 1.6 million rats living in public sewers, and they are responsible for a huge percentage of drain issues. It’s a surprisingly common problem, but there are some straightforward preventative measures you can take to make your drains less attractive to invaders:

• Never put food waste down the drain. Instead, dispose of it in secure rubbish bins, never on an open compost heap.
• Regularly check your pipes for holes or cracks and use a rat-proof filler such as steel wool and cement.
• Install rat-proof plastic or metal drain covers.
• Keep your garden tidy and free of debris that attracts rats. 

What’s the best way to check drains for rats?

A CCTV survey by professionals is hands-down the best way to check your drains for rats. Our cameras can trace the source of the infestation by identifying any cracks or holes in your pipes. This will show where rodents are getting into your drainage system.

We can also detect any damage the rats may have caused and deliver a full report for your peace of mind.

How to get rid of rats in drains

At Drain 365, we focus on removing the rat’s nest humanely and then permanently eliminating the problem by installing rat blockers. This is a no-dig solution that causes minimal disruption to your property or day-to-day activities.

Rat blockers and patches for drains are a highly effective way to prevent rats from entering your drains and establishing a nest. We use the Re-Tec rat patch as a humane, permanent solution.

Stop rats in their tracks with Drain365

If you’ve spotted the warning signs of rats in your drains, don’t panic. At Drains365, we can help with drainage emergencies in London and across the south-east. Take a look at the list of locations we cover for more information.

Contact us today, and we’ll find a permanent solution to your drain dilemmas. 

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So, how can you get it sorted fast? 

What causes drains to smell?

Food trapped down the kitchen sink or a smelly shower drain blocked with grease, hair and soap scum are just some of the culprits when your drains start smelling. Bad plumbing can also be to blame, so a CCTV drain survey could identify any lingering issues.

Unfortunately, you may also have an outside drain smell caused by hard-to-reach blockages. If you suspect something is amiss with your outside drainage system, it’s always a good idea to speak with a plumbing professional who can carry out some fast and effective drain jetting to clear those blocked pipes. 

How to stop drains smelling: Top tips

You can take action if your kitchen or bathroom drains are creating a less-than-pleasant smell. Here’s how to stop drains from smelling and keep odours at bay.

How to stop kitchen sink smells

Start by cleaning your sink with hot water and soap, paying attention to the areas around the tap. Remove every trace of gunk, using an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies.

Next, tackle the drain. Start by removing food particles or debris, then flush the drain with almost boiling water. Add washing-up liquid to shift any greasy build-up, and use a plunger if the blockage is stubborn. Resist the temptation to use harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage your pipes and cause long-term problems.

How to fix a smelly shower drain

You can use a similar procedure to fix a smelly bathroom drain — first, clean the area thoroughly and remove any hair or soap scum. Flush with boiling water and use a specialised sink plunger if necessary.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking soda and vinegar are a great combination for killing nasty odours. Put a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and a glug of vinegar in your drain and leave for 15 seconds. Then, pour down a kettleful of boiling water and leave your homemade drain cleaner to work.

If you don’t have baking soda and vinegar, try filling the sink with hot water and bleach. Then, let the bleach drain through the pipes to remove any debris.

What do plumbers use to clean drains?

Plumbers use various drain cleaning methods to stop drain smells in their tracks. Drain jetting is commonly used to get rid of a persistent drain blockage that might be causing an unpleasant smell.

If there are other issues at play, they can use a CCTV drain survey to determine the root of the problem. 

How to stop drain smells from returning

You’ve tackled the problem, but how do you stop drain smells from returning? Get into the habit of cleaning your drains once a month and follow these other handy tips:

• Keep food scraps out of your sink. Vegetable peelings, eggs, and grease can all build up and cause unpleasant odours.
• Clean your dishwasher: If you notice a stink from your dishwasher, clear the filter and use a cleaning product to remove the bad smell.
• Only flush toilet paper: wet wipes, fingernail clippings, and nappies can all cause clogs and a bad smell.
• Check your U-bend: Your U-bend pipe should always be full of water to prevent sewer gas from escaping into your home. If it’s empty, add water. If a leak is causing it to malfunction, it’s best to call an emergency plumber.
• Keep your sink and shower drains clear: Don’t let hair collect in your bathtub, shower drain or bathroom sink. Use a specialist un-blocker or try a DIY drain cleaner.  

We also recommend booking regular drain maintenance to prevent drain smells from recurring. 

Expert drain services from Drain 365

At Drain365, we’re experts in preventing nasty odours and dealing with troublesome drains. Get in touch with our expert team today or call 0800 699 0922 to stop drain smells once and for all.

The post How to stop drains smelling? appeared first on Drain 365.

And don’t forget, if you’re faced with stubborn blocked drains, you can always contact Drain 365 for fast, effective drainage services across London and the surrounding areas. 

Signs you may have a blocked drain outside

If you’ve heard strange gurgling’s or noticed an unpleasant smell coming from your external drains, it could indicate a blockage. Other tell-tale signs include:

• Slow drainage from your sinks, bath or shower
• Signs of water damage, like staining and mould growth
• Raised water levels when you flush your toilet

If you’ve experienced any of these warning signs, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent further issues. 

What causes external drain blockages?

There are plenty of culprits when it comes to blocked drains, including twigs and leaves, moss, soil, mud and other outdoor debris. Sometimes, even tree roots can be at the heart of the problem.

But it’s not only what’s outside your house that causes issues — what you choose to put down your kitchen and bathroom sink can be just as problematic.

Oil, grease and coffee grounds can cause mini ‘fatbergs’ that can be hard to shift. Likewise, wet wipes and nappies are a no-no for your toilet, and hair and soap scum can easily build up in your bathroom, leading to the misery of blocked drains outside.

How to find the drain blockage

Before you can unblock drains, you need to locate the blockage. If in doubt, it’s worth booking a CCTV drain survey to pinpoint the issue accurately. 

Before you take action, contact your local water company. They’ll tell you who’s responsible for unblocking your drains. If it’s your responsibility, remove your drain covers and inspect the water level. If the chamber’s full, the blockage is after that drain. If it’s empty, it’s before the drain chamber you’re looking at.

Once you locate your blocked drains, it’s time for some DIY drain unblocking.

How to unblock your outside drains

Before you get to work, gather a few simple tools, including protective clothes and goggles, bin bags, drain rods, and a pressure hose.

1. Unblock by hand

It can be surprisingly easy to unblock drains by hand. However, you should wear a mask and pond gloves before removing debris. 

If you don’t have gloves, use two or more large-size bin bags to cover your arm. Then, start gently clearing the drain. Try to avoid compacting any debris and causing a bigger problem.

2. Use a homemade drain cleaner

You can use a quick and effective homemade drain cleaner for inside and outside drains. 

Start by pouring a kettleful of boiling water down your drain, then follow with a cup of vinegar and a cup of bicarbonate of soda. 

Leave it to work for a few hours, then flush with more hot water.

3. Use a drain rod

If the blockage still won’t shift, try drain rods. Professionals use them to clear stubborn blockages. Attach an appropriate plunger and slowly insert the rod into the drain, twisting clockwise and using gentle pressure. If it still won’t budge, try a corkscrew attachment to break up the blockage.

4. Use a pressure jet

Once you’ve cleared the drain as much as possible, use a pressure jet to force the rest of the obstruction through the pipe. Put the pipe as far down as possible, then seal the drain with old towels and sheets to help the pressure push the blockage through. 

If this method doesn’t work, call Drain365 free on 0800 699 0922, and we’ll use professional drain jetting equipment to clear the blockage. 

Professional drain unblocking services from Drain 365

If you have blocked drains that don’t respond to your DIY clearing, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Contact us today for a complete range of drain unblocking and maintenance services to keep your drainage system running smoothly. 

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