Are Rats Entering Your Home Through the Drains?

Hearing scratching sounds in your walls? Finding droppings near your garage or loft? If you are noticing these signs, rodents may already be inside your property. What many homeowners in Derby and Derbyshire do not realise is that rats often enter through damaged or open drainage systems.

At Derby Drain Surveys, we specialise in identifying and sealing the hidden access points that allow rodents to move from the public sewer network into your home. Understanding how and why rats use drains can help you protect your property and prevent repeat infestations.

How Rats Use Drains to Enter Homes

Rats are excellent swimmers and climbers, capable of travelling long distances through the public sewer system. They enter private drains through small gaps, cracks, or open connections. Once inside, they can reach kitchens, bathrooms, or loft spaces with ease.

The most common drain-related entry points include:

• Cracked or displaced joints in underground drains

• Redundant or open connections that were never sealed properly

• Defective or missing interceptor traps

• Damaged manhole covers and inspection chambers

• Unsealed soil vent pipes or old pipe connections
  

Even small gaps in the system are enough for rats to squeeze through and establish a nest.

Why Rodents in Drains Are a Serious Problem

Rats in drains are not just a nuisance. They create both health and structural risks for your home. Common issues caused by rodent infestations include:

• Damage to pipes, insulation, and wiring from gnawing

• Contamination of surfaces and food areas

• Spread of diseases such as Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)

• Bad smells, scratching noises, and droppings

• Expensive property repairs if damage spreads
  

A professional CCTV drain survey is the most effective way to confirm whether rats are using your drains and to locate their entry point.

The Role of a Rat Detection Drain Survey

A Rat Detection Drain Survey is a specialist CCTV inspection designed to trace rodent movement through your underground system. Our expert engineers insert a high-definition camera into the drains to inspect each section and identify entry routes.

Your survey includes:

• HD video footage showing internal pipe conditions

• A written report identifying defects or access points

• Recommendations for sealing or repairing drains

• Professional advice on proofing and long-term prevention
  

If you have recurring infestations that pest control cannot resolve, a drain survey reveals the true cause and provides permanent protection.

Why Pest Control Alone Is Not Enough

Traditional pest control services are effective at trapping or poisoning rats inside the property, but they rarely stop them from coming back. If the drain system remains open, new rodents can easily re-enter within weeks.

By identifying and fixing the underlying drain defect, you remove their access completely. Derby Drain Surveys works closely with pest control companies to combine short-term treatment with long-term prevention.

Effective Treatments to Stop Rats Entering Your Drains

Once we identify how rodents are getting in, our team can carry out tailored solutions to secure your system:

• Rodent-proof valves: One-way valves fitted into the drain to stop rats entering from the sewer.

• Pipe relining: A non-invasive method to seal cracks and joints without digging.

• Interceptor trap replacement: Restores functionality to prevent rats from travelling up from main sewer lines.

• Sealing unused connections: Closes redundant openings permanently to remove entry points.

• Routine maintenance: Regular inspections to ensure long-term protection.
  

These treatments create a durable and hygienic barrier against infestation.

Why Derbyshire Homes Are Prone to Rat Drain Problems

Many homes in Derby, Hilton, and Burton still use older clay pipe systems that have cracked or shifted over time. These tiny gaps make perfect access routes for rodents. Even modern PVC drains can become entry points if not properly sealed during construction.

A CCTV drain inspection identifies weak spots early, helping homeowners stop infestations before they escalate.

Why Choose Derby Drain Surveys

With over 20 years of drainage and construction experience, we are one of Derbyshire’s most trusted independent drain survey specialists. Our engineers are fully trained, use industry-grade CCTV equipment, and provide detailed reporting with honest, professional advice.

We are known for:

• Fast, accurate CCTV inspections

• Clear reports suitable for insurance and pest control documentation

• Affordable pricing and fast turnaround

• Proven rodent-proofing methods that deliver long-term results
  

Whether you live in an older property or a new build, we can secure your drains and give you peace of mind.

Stop Rodents at the Source

If you suspect rodents are entering through your drains, do not wait for the problem to worsen. Identifying and sealing entry routes is the only way to stop repeat infestations. A quick inspection today can save you thousands in property repairs tomorrow.

Click here to book your Build Over Drain Survey or learn more about our professional CCTV drain inspections for home extensions in Derbyshire.

📍 Based in Derby. Serving Derbyshire, Burton, Hilton, and surrounding Midlands towns.