The Worst Combination: The Link Between Plumbing Leaks and Pest Problems
A plumbing leak is already enough hassle when discovered. Add in a pest problem, and this month might be looking even bleaker. When plumbing goes awry, it can also create a haven for critters to breed and gain nutrition on your property. Little do people know that their homes can become an oasis for annoying pests by not keeping up with plumbing maintenance or repairs. Here are the four most common areas that pest problems arise from plumbing leaks:
Inside the home
Insects require shelter, water, and sustenance to survive. Similar to humans, your home makes a beautiful new residence for them. Incorporate a plumbing leak, and you continue to supply their needs. We often find ants in homes that have dripping or pooling water. They can quickly enter through cracks in foundations and door gaps. With a leaky plumbing system, you may keep critters alive much longer than if they didn’t have a consistent water supply. A few ways to tell if you have a water leak indoors include:
Having a higher than usual water bill.
Mold on baseboards or walls.
Finding visible water damage or wet spots inside your home.
In the yard
Mosquitoes thrive in moist environments and often find pools of stagnant water to reproduce. Leaks from within the home or an outdoor plumbing fixture can create puddles in the yard and an excellent breeding ground for a mosquito infestation. The easiest way to stave off itchy red bites is to check for stagnant water in the yard and ensure hoses, sprinklers, and outdoor faucets aren’t dripping.
In the drains or pipes
If a pipe is leaking outside the home and goes unnoticed for a while, not only will your water bills go higher, but the water wasted into the ground can attract pests. Backed-up drains entice cockroaches, rats, mice, and other organisms that feed on food particles and other icky material blocking or seeping out of your pipes. Effectively, undetected leaks create an appealing situation for critters to enter and thrive in your sewer lines and later your home.
In flooring or foundation
Wood flooring and structural beams throughout the home are susceptible to termites, especially when wet. A hidden leak in your house’s plumbing delivers tasty nourishment for those termites. Unfortunately, termites problems are hard to uncover until it is often too late. The best way to prevent leaks leading to termites in a home is to keep up with a regular plumbing inspection once every two years.
Get professional help to combat your leaks and pest problems!
Any sign of cockroaches, rodents, or other pests should have you reaching for the phone. Interestingly, most people want to call a pest control company, even while the root cause is their plumbing.
All in all, the main objective is getting the leak fixed and the pests eradicated. Whoever you need to call to start the process should be able to diagnose the problem. If not, consider contacting a licensed plumbing company if you suddenly have a pest problem and can tell that it’s related to an excess of water in or near your home.
If you need honest and experienced professional plumbing services for residential and affordcommercial plumbing needs in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Enterprise give us a call at 702-766-3320.
