Protect Your Drainage Pipes From Animals

One of the ongoing challenges every exterior pipe installation faces is wildlife. For rodents, skunks and even beavers, your new culvert or subdrain system is the perfect ready-made shelter. Fortunately, there are animal guards available for virtually all types of pipe. Below we’ll explore the issues caused by having animals inhabit your drainage system, and the variety of options available to prevent this problem before it begins. Animal guards can easily be added to old systems as well, offering a solution for existing drainage issues. 

Drainage Issues Caused By Animals

Animals in drainage pipes can cause severe issues, ranging from complete blockages and sewage backups to structural damage and the spread of disease. Common culprits such as rats, mice, snakes, frogs, and insects are attracted to the moisture, food waste, and the dark, sheltered environment of drain pipes. 

• Total Blockages and Clogs: Blockages are primarily caused in two ways. Animals can use the pipe as a home for their nest or den, filling it with twigs, grasses, and other insulators. Or unfortunately, animals can get stuck in your pipe and die. This not only creates a blockage but also a major health concern. Blockages can result in sewage overflowing from toilets, sinks, or pooling on your property, leading to significant water damage.
• Pipe Damage and Leaks: Rodents, such as rats and mice, can gnaw and chew through PVC, ABS, and even some metal pipes, causing leaks in walls or under foundations.
• Blocked Ventilation: Small animals like birds, squirrels, or bees may enter and build nests in plumbing vent pipes. This stops air from escaping, which causes slow drainage and gurgling noises.