It’s the stuff of urban legends and horror movies, but for some homeowners in Acadiana, it’s a reality: Rats coming up through the toilet.
Hargrave’s Plumbing was recently sought out by Yahoo Local to provide expert insight on this skin-crawling topic in their featured article: “It looked at me.” Yes, rats can come out of your toilet. Here’s what to do.
In the piece, our owner Travis Hargrave explains how this happens and, more importantly, how the “Acadiana’s Choice” team can help you make sure it never happens to you.
How (and Why) Does This Happen?
As Travis explained to Yahoo, rats are incredible swimmers and can hold their breath for several minutes. Our sewer systems are essentially “highways” for rodents, and if there is a break or a vulnerability in your line, they can navigate the “P-trap” of your toilet and pop up where you least expect them.
In older areas of Lafayette, where clay or cast-iron pipes may have cracks or offsets, it’s much easier for rodents to enter the plumbing system from the surrounding soil.
Travis’s Pro Tips: How to Protect Your Throne
While the idea is frightening, Travis shares that there are professional ways to “rat-proof” your plumbing:
- Sewer Camera Inspection: This is the first line of defense. As Travis noted in the feature, we use high-tech cameras to find cracks or holes in your sewer lateral that act as “entry points” for pests.
- Trenchless Pipe Lining: If we find a break, our new no-dig pipe lining is the ultimate deterrent. The smooth, seamless epoxy liner leaves no room for rodents to grip or enter, essentially “sealing” your home off from the sewer main.
- Check Your Flappers and Guards: Ensure your home’s plumbing vents on the roof have proper guards, as rodents can sometimes enter from the top down.
- Keep it Clean: Avoid flushing food scraps. The smell of food in the pipes is exactly what attracts rodents to your specific line.
Don’t Panic—Call the Pros
If you’ve had a “close encounter” or are simply worried about the integrity of your older pipes, you don’t have to handle it alone. We specialize in the diagnostic and repair services that keep the “wildlife” out of your bathroom.
As Travis told Yahoo Local, the best way to sleep soundly is to know your pipes are sealed and structurally sound.
Want to “Rat-Proof” your plumbing? Trust the experts at Hargrave’s Plumbing to inspect your lines and provide permanent solutions.
