We all love animals, but sometimes they can become a nuisance. Groundhogs can tear up your front lawn, bats can nest in your attic, raccoons can get into your trash, etc. But did you know that animals have been known to get into people’s pipes?
Animals can find their ways into your home’s pipes and once there not only are they a nuisance but they can cause a lot of damage as well. The best way to prevent this damage is to get the animals out as soon as possible. We wanted to take some time today to discuss the signs that an animal may be in your pipes and how you can get them out.
Mice and Rats
As Maryland plumbing repair specialists, one of the most common animals we get calls about are mice and rats. A mouse can actually squeeze through any opening the size of a nickel! Rats are a little bigger but can still fit through some pretty small holes and have also been known to swim into your pipes via the sewer.
How can you tell if a mouse or a rat has made its way into your pipes? Just as if they’re anywhere else in your home, you’ll want to keep an eye out for mouse droppings or any signs of a nest. Some people have even reported witnessing rats crawling straight out of their toilet!
Frogs
Frogs are amphibians and spend a lot of their life in the water, sometimes that means swimming in your pipes. Some tree frogs have even been known to enter through vent pipes or through a chimney. Usually frogs will not cause as much damage as mice or rats, but can still cause blockages and should be removed by a Maryland plumbing specialist.
Salamanders and Lizards
Very similar to frogs, salamanders and lizards don’t typically cause damage but are more of a nuisance. You also won’t usually know they’re in your pipes unless you see them swimming around in the toilet bowl.
Possums
You may think that possums are too big to fit in your pipes, but you’d be surprised how much they can condense their bodies. Usually we find baby possums in people’s homes, and there have even been cases of them reaching all the way to the toilet. Possums can carry the rabies disease and can be dangerous. If you have a possum in your home, steer clear, and call animal control, as well as a Maryland plumber.
Get Help From A Maryland Plumbing Repair Expert
Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating has been in the plumbing business for a long time now and we’ve seen and learned a lot. We have dealt with nearly every kind of animal you can think of, and have repaired all of the damage they caused.
If your home’s pipes have been damaged by an animal, don’t wait around, give us a call today. Our team of Maryland plumbing repair technicians is standing by ready to assist you in any way possible.