Roach Attack: 3 Ways Your Plumbing and Drain Problems are Causing a Cockroach Infestation in the Bathroom

“Give me one, just one good reason why I should be worried about cockroaches infesting my bathroom?”

“Well, for starters, they’re highly resilient; they can even withstand a nuclear bomb.

Second, they breed quickly and lay lots of eggs.

Third, they love moisture, so a bathroom is the perfect space for them to find shelter.

Fourth…”

“I get your point! What should I do to keep them out?”

This is a small extract of a conversation I was having with a friend last week. Yeah, we could have made plans for Christmas or the New Year, or perhaps even talk about Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck (that thing is amazing!), but priorities, right?

But let’s get back to the matter at hand. Cockroaches present a major threat; they can infest your bathroom, eventually spreading throughout your home.

And unlike other insects, cockroaches are a year-round problem. Lucky for you, we’ve done our homework to make your life easier. Here are three ways plumbing and drain problems are causing cockroach infestations, and what to do about it.

Let’s get started!

Water—the main attraction for roach infestations

Water attracts cockroaches. In fact, most species of cockroaches can live up to a month without food, but cannot survive for more than a week without water.

Now, we know that you can’t cut off the water supply from your bathroom. However, you can ensure good plumbing by carrying out routine maintenance and timely repairs of drains and pipes.

This will ensure that the drains are not clogged and that there are no stagnant puddles of water for them to thrive in.

Leaking pipes—an invitation for cockroaches

Leaking pipes allow cockroaches and rodents to infiltrate your home. Even a small leakage can compromise the structural integrity of your home and soften the walls of your bathroom, allowing cockroaches to make their way inside.

Over time, you may find yourself dealing with all sorts of infestation problems, ranging from rats to wood-chewing termites. Unfortunately, some leaks are hard to identify, and it’s very possible that you’ll learn about them when it’s too late.

Therefore, look out for signs of pipe leakages preemptively, such as increased water bills, poorly-fitted valves or loose fixtures, rust or mold infestations, among others. You can schedule an inspection to ensure there are no leaks in the plumbing system.

Unused bathroom plumbing—wait, what?

Cockroaches love water, so if your home has a bathroom that isn’t used, it means no infestation, right? Wrong! Cockroaches love to crawl into unused bathroom pipes and get cozy in the empty drain taps.

Dry drain pipes provide them with easy entrance into the bathroom. Cockroaches take advantage of this opportunity to make their way into your home. Hence, even if you don’t use a specific bathroom often, make sure to flush the water in the drains regularly.

How to help prevent a cockroach infestation in your drains

  • Seal the drain pipes.Perform timely repairs for any leaking plumbing component, including the faucet, pipes, drain, and more.
  • Eliminate standing water. Seal crevices and holes around your drain to prevent water from accumulating in any area of your bathroom.
  • Don’t leave any holes.Literally! Fill all the gaps and holes in your bathroom wall to block easy entrance points.
  • Remove bathroom waste containers. While it may cause an inconvenience, remove the waste container from your bathroom, as it attracts roaches and other rodents.
  • Use stoppers. Using rubber drain covers and screens at night is a great way to block their entry during nighttime.

Final words

The best way to prevent a cockroach infestation is by blockading their access to your bathroom. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? It isn’t.

This blog has already provided you with a good idea of how to combat these small pests, but it’s always better to hire professional plumbing services.

They will ensure that no stone is left unturned—or in this case, no leaky, faulty plumbing components—that allow these tiny nuclear survivors to find their way in.

Taking a proactive approach toward your home’s plumbing pays off big time. These preventative measures will protect your walls and floor from plumbing damage.

If you’re looking for experienced and trained plumbers, get in touch with Pro Serve Plumbing today!.

Based in Fort Worth, we’re a professional plumbing company that provides a wide range of plumbing services to our clients. Our experienced plumbers will make sure your bathroom remains protected from cockroaches all year round.

Need more details? Call us today at 817-244-0614.