House maintenance and regular pest control are all necessary steps in keeping your home free from bugs and vermin. If those pests keep coming back, however, there may be a deeper issue involved. Often, poor plumbing systems with problems like pipe leaks could be the cause of attracting pests to your house.
This is because rodents, bugs, and insects are attracted to areas with stagnant water. Rodents and pests can enter your home through several plumbing issues. This can cause further damage to your property’s structure as well.
In this article, we discuss how pest infestation leads to plumbing problems and ways to keep these pests out of your plumbing system.
How Pest Infestation Leads To Plumbing Problems
1. Pest Infestation Can Damage Leaky Pipes
Pests in your home require a regular source of food and water to survive indoors. When there’s a dripping faucet, it may seem like a small issue, but if left unchecked, this can lead to a growing pest infestation. A dripping faucet can attract insects like roaches, silverfish, ants, and centipedes.
Just like a dripping faucet, a leaky pipe can cause the same problem. A leaky pipe hidden behind the walls can lead to an increasing infestation and may only surface when it has caused considerable damage. Rusting fixtures or drains are a definite sign that there is water leakage.
The easiest way to ensure that creepy-crawlies and vermin don’t damage your plumbing system is to call for regular plumbing maintenance by professionals. There are a variety of plumbing companies across the country that are reputable and reasonable. Click the link if you’re looking for quality plumbing services in Chantilly.
2. Pests Eat Pipe Insulation
Rodents, like mice, can greatly damage the insulation of pipes by chewing on them. It’s not only organic material, like paper, that they chew on. Mice can chew through materials like fiberglass and foam, too, causing extreme damage to the pipe insulation. If the pipe insulation is found to be damaged during the winter, it can cause pipes to freeze. Once the insulation of the pipes is chewed up and ruined, it may be costly to replace. That’s why regular pest control and plumbing maintenance is essential for a well-maintained home.
3. Pests Can Clog the Drains
In most cases, pests don’t live inside pipes or drains. In some cases, though, these bugs and rodents may infest your pipelines and live in parts of your drain called the trap. The trap is generally designed to keep pests from entering your home, but rodents may enter and keep the trap from doing its job. Since the trap holds water and debris from what is washed off, pests can grow and infest the area, sometimes even causing a clogged drain.
Ways To Protect Your Plumbing System From Pests
It’s obvious that pests can cause considerable damage to your plumbing system, especially if the problem is left unchecked. To make sure you protect your plumbing system from a pest infestation, follow these tips given below:
- Regular Drain Cleaning: If left unclean for a while, your drains can have bacteria buildup over time. The bacteria buildup and constant water supply provide an ideal ground for pest growth that can lead to clogged drains. That’s why regular cleaning of your drains is a must to ensure that the water is kept flowing smoothly through a thoroughly cleaned plumbing system.
- Seal Openings: Insects and rodents only need the tiniest crack in your walls or pipes to make their way through to your home. To prevent this, seal pipe openings and other holes with a durable sealant.
- Regular Plumbing Inspection: Getting a professional plumber to inspect your home for any plumbing issues or pipe openings can prevent pest infestation from causing any further damage. A knowledgeable plumber will not only inspect and correct your plumbing issues to stop pest infestation, but will also help you detect any potential infestation.
- Put A Screen On Your Vent Stack: The vent stack is found on the top of your roof. Its main purpose is ventilating sewer gas, and it’s one of the most common points for pests to enter your home. You can prevent this by putting a screen on your vent stack so pests should not be able to enter your home that easily.
Conclusion
Pest infestation and plumbing issues are interlinked. If a pest infestation is left unchecked, it can lead to serious plumbing damages like the corrosion of pipe insulation or causing a huge pest manifestation within the walls. This would definitely harm your home structurally. Clogged drains, visible holes, and dead insects are some of the common signs of pest infestation, and should be checked on a regular basis.
To prevent your plumbing system from a pest infestation, make sure to schedule a regular inspection of your plumbing system with a professional plumbing service. Cleaning your drains regularly, sealing any small openings in your home, and putting a screen on your vent stack are some effective ways of keeping pests out of your home and away from your plumbing system.
