We always discuss what clogs pipes, like grease and food leftovers, on non-flushable wet wipes. But sometimes you find something completely different in pipes, surprises that can be funny, scary, cute, or sad.
Opossums
If you have a dead opossum in your pipe, you might want to check twice or contact a wildlife rescue service. These little creatures are known for playing dead when they’re actually not, and it’s worth saving their lives. Opossums are omnivorous and beneficial to humans because they cause minor damage and consume undesirable insects, snails, and slugs. The many beneficial qualities of opossums include: Keeping neighborhoods clear of unwanted pests like cockroaches, rats, and mice.
Frogs and lizards
Although these amphibious critters aren’t as scary to find as a swimming rat, it’s still an unpleasant surprise when you open the toilet lid. Frogs and lizards are some of the most common creatures to find in your toilet because they are attracted to a warm and wet environment. However, most are completely harmless and can be set free outside.
Rats
Rats can be found everywhere, in all sorts of sizes and colors. They run around streets and live off people’s trash, and if they want to, they can find a home in your drainage system because they are excellent swimmers. So if you are one of those people who always leave their toilet lid open, you may want to reconsider that.
Badgers
In Scotland, plumbers found a poor badger in the sewer line during a routine drain cleaning. Fortunately, he made a full recovery after his rescue. Badgers have solid limbs and sharp claws that help them dig burrows and find food underground. They make their homes by digging tunnels and caves and use grass and leaves for bedding. A badger’s home is called a sett. They could consider your sewer line at your Cape Cod home a sett if you are gone for the winter, so you might want to check before you return to your seasonal home.
Other animals found in drains include fish (not just Nemo), snakes, turtles, and even kittens. So unless you live in an apartment on the 50th floor of an NYC skyscraper, you can never be sure you have any roommates.
But if you find something crawling inside your toilet, something is probably wrong. There could be a hole in one of your pipes underground. Rats and snakes live below the surface, and this could be a possible way for them to access.
If you live in an area with a one-way sewer system, you might have a higher chance of seeing some unwelcome guests in your toilet. One way to deal with this problem is to have the Pipe Doctor install a one-way non-return valve under your bathroom.
A vent on your roof connects to your sewer pipelines. Animals could be crawling in through this channel. One way to stop this is by putting wire mesh over the vent’s cover. Please do not put a cloth or screen in front of it, as that could lead to a potential blockage. Call the Pipe Doctor if you need any advice and have us check during the annual inspection if the vent is breathing ok.
Call animal control for advice if you encounter a creature in your toilet that you can’t remove yourself. Every life is worth saving, and most creatures are more scared than you are when you find them.
We’re happy to help you with preventive measures.
Give us a call at 508-775-6670
or email cmurphy@plumberscapecod.com
