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Vermin
Worried about rats or mice getting in through your drains? We track down every entry point across your drainage network so you can deal with the problem at its source.
If you've been hearing scratching in the walls, spotting droppings near your plumbing, or noticing signs of vermin that seem to appear from nowhere, your drainage system could well be the culprit. Rats in particular are highly capable swimmers and climbers, and cracked pipes, broken junctions, or poorly sealed inspection chambers give them a surprisingly easy route into your home. Lancashire Septics Ltd carries out thorough vermin drainage surveys for properties across Lancashire — from terraced houses on the outskirts of Preston to rural farmsteads in the Ribble Valley and coastal homes near Southport.
A vermin drainage survey is specifically designed to map your underground and above-ground drainage network and identify the structural weak spots that vermin are exploiting. Using CCTV camera technology, our qualified surveyors push a camera through the accessible sections of your drains to capture high-definition footage of the pipe interiors. This lets us spot fractured pipes, open joints, collapsed sections, and gaps around soil stacks — the kinds of defects that aren't visible from ground level but make perfect entry points for rats and mice. Where access is limited, we can cut into stacks and make good on the day so the survey isn't held up.
Before we arrive, it helps enormously if you can note down where you've seen or heard the vermin, which rooms are affected, and how long the problem has been going on. The more background you can give us, the better prepared our surveyor will be on the day and the more targeted the inspection can be. Once on site, we also create a full drainage layout — essentially a drawn map of your system — which becomes the foundation of the report and makes it straightforward to cross-reference findings against specific sections of pipe.
After the survey is complete, we enter the report analysis stage. Your assigned surveyor works through the CCTV footage and drainage layout in detail, logging each defect using standardised drainage condition codes. For every fault identified, our team develops a practical, cost-effective remedy and documents it clearly in the report — including associated repair costs — so you know exactly what you're looking at before committing to anything. Reports are typically ready within five working days, though this can vary depending on the size and complexity of the network.
It's worth noting that under the Environment Agency's guidance and the UK General Binding Rules for domestic sewage discharge, property owners have a legal duty to maintain their drainage and sewage systems in good working order. A neglected or damaged drainage network doesn't just create a vermin risk — it can also lead to regulatory issues, especially if you're on a private system such as a septic tank or sewage treatment plant. A vermin survey gives you documented evidence of the condition of your drains, which can be useful for insurance purposes, planning applications, or simply peace of mind. If you're in Lancashire and concerned about vermin accessing your property through the drains, get in touch with us today.
Why choose Lancashire Septics Ltd
- CCTV drainage inspection to locate vermin entry points throughout the pipe network
- Full drainage layout produced on-site so findings are easy to interpret
- Standardised condition codes used throughout for clear, professional reporting
- Repair costs and proposed solutions included in every survey report
- Covering Preston, Chorley, Southport, the Fylde Coast, Ribble Valley and surrounding areas
Pricing
What's included
Residential Vermin Survey
A targeted CCTV-based inspection of the drainage network at domestic properties, identifying cracks, open joints, and other defects that may be allowing rats or mice to enter the building. Suitable for any home — mains-connected or on a private drainage system.
See our Home Movers service →
Rural & Private System Vermin Survey
For properties served by septic tanks, cesspools, or sewage treatment plants, we extend the survey to cover the drainage runs leading to and from the private system, where structural defects are especially common and vermin activity is frequently concentrated.
See our Home Movers service →
Vermin Proofing & Repair Works
Following your survey report, our repairs team can carry out the remedial works needed to seal entry points — from drain relining and joint resealing to full pipe replacement — giving you a clear route from diagnosis to resolution.
Frequently asked questions
- Can rats really get into my house through the drains?
- Yes, and it's more common than most people realise. Rats are strong swimmers and adept climbers, meaning a broken pipe, open joint, or unsealed soil stack can provide a direct route from the sewer network into your walls, floors, or even your loft. Properties across Lancashire — particularly older housing stock in Preston and rural buildings with ageing pipework — can be especially vulnerable.
- What does a vermin drainage survey actually involve?
- Our surveyor visits your property, accesses the drainage network through inspection chambers or by cutting into stacks if needed, and then runs a CCTV camera through the pipes. We record footage of the pipe interiors, map out the drainage layout, and document any defects we find. After the visit, we produce a full written report with condition codes, identified faults, and costed repair options — usually ready within five working days.
- Can you guarantee the survey will find where the vermin are getting in?
- We can't make an absolute guarantee, because drainage isn't always the only possible entry route into a property. What we can do is systematically eliminate the drainage network as a source — and in the majority of cases, that's where the problem lies. If defects are found, the report will tell you exactly how to address them, and resolving those issues very often resolves the vermin problem.
- How does pricing work and when will I know the cost?
- We'll provide a clear quote for the survey itself before any work begins — just get in touch by phone, email, or the enquiry form and we'll gather a few details about your property and drainage setup. Once the survey is complete, the report will also include itemised costs for any repair or remediation works identified, so you're never left guessing. You remain in full control of whether to proceed with any follow-on works.
- Do I need an inspection chamber for the survey to go ahead?
- Having an existing inspection chamber makes access straightforward, but it isn't always essential. If your drainage network doesn't have one in a suitable location, our team can cut into the soil stack to introduce the camera and then repair the opening on the same day before we leave.
- Does a damaged drain create any legal or regulatory issues for me as a property owner?
- It can do, particularly if you're on a private drainage system. The UK General Binding Rules for domestic sewage discharge and Environment Agency guidance both place a responsibility on property owners to keep their systems properly maintained. A vermin drainage survey gives you a professional, documented record of your drain condition, which can be valuable for regulatory compliance, insurance purposes, or if you're buying or selling a property.
Get in touch
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Fill in the form and we'll be in touch within one working day with a quote or booking slot. For emergencies please call us - it's the fastest way to get a truck on site.
Phone: 0161 694 7241