It is estimated that between 70% to 90% of urban rat infestations within the dwelling of the property originate from defective drainage. This could be old age, wear and tear.. External pressure causing a drain to break, tree root ingress cracking the pipework or in this case a builder who gives builders a bad name.

I’ve seen some ‘dodgy’ repairs over my three decades in the industry but this one is up there with the best of them.

I was called to a customer complaint of common rats which had been noted within the actual main dwelling, seen in the ground floor bathroom which leads of the kitchen at the rear of a 1930’s middle terrace. The entire ground floor is concrete, there are no cavities in this property, the toilet is downstairs and there are no first floor utilities.

At the rear of the property my attention was drawn to a new bathroom extension, the reason why i took such notice was because of how bad this thing was, it was beyond bad. If this is the quality of work that can be seen whats the work like that is not visible…?? Given they layout of the property and the fact that there was a new bathroom extension of such poor build it was thought obvious that the infestation has come from some altered drainage.

If i was in any doubt everything was confirmed upon lifting the inspection chamber taking the grey water… I honestly have never seen anything like it drainage work wise.

What i find really difficult to understand is that it must have been harder to do it this way than the correct way. Not only has these works allowed vermin entry into the property, but water loss to ground as a result. The structural integrity of the chamber has not only been compromised, it’s non existent, this could never be repaired, it would have to be removed and replace. A massive job given the depth, the raised surface steps and the limited area to place the excavation materials.

As a pest controller I am limited in what can be done, it would be incorrect as per the code of best practice to start placing rodenticide baits in the chamber or within the dwelling as no matter how much bait or what active ingredient you used you could never wipe out all of the rats in the sewer.

As good as I like to think i am this is not a simple repair as previously explained, it’s a rip it out and start again job which would require machinery, trench management, materials and a drain company (Not a Builder) to complete such works.

For now the use of a NRV was used (None Return Valve) Rat Wall to prevent rats getting to this chamber from the main sewer. NRV’s are great however I they should never be used as a permanent fix, greases from food stuffs and scale from water and urine can cause the swing door to jam on occasions so it is advised that while the none return valves are in situ that there is a maintenance clean agreed at times.

For now rats entering the property have been stopped but going forward there is a big bill to be had, the customer has had a bad experience with the builder and does not want them to return. Me myself, i’d be seeking legal advice to get the works corrected.

One thing I pride myself on.. at the end of the day I can sleep soundly knowing i’ve done my job correctly, provided a service and not left my customers with the quality of work this dodgy builder left his customer in.

We at Rattraxs Pest Control are certified and qualified to carry out all aspects of pest control and drainage surveying works to identify possible points of entry from the sewer system into the property. In the event that a defect is noted we at Rattraxs do not carry out pipework corrections be it excavation of lining. All reports can be supplied to either the customer, a third party drain company or both parties.

Minor repair or correction works within the inspection chamber can be carried out by Rattraxs Pest Control provided the area of works falls within the private concern, not obstructing / restricting flow, has not structural load and not a public ownership asset such as the local water authority.

Rattraxs Pest Control Services does not recommend any specific company for repair works but may assist the customer in finding a suitable contractor if requested. Rattraxs Pest Control Services would advise that any drainage contractor appointed to carry out works is a member of the N.A.D.C. (National Association of Drainage Contractors) for the quality of workmanship and required insurances to undertake such works required.