Rats in drains - is my one-way valve in the wrong place?

[arthur22]

I've had rats coming into the house (miserable!) and I've been advised that rat droppings have been found in the surface water drains.

I had the drainage chaps out and they've put a one-way valve in the manhole that's nearest the big drain in the road. That manhole is marked on the plan as MHS2 and happened to be on my parking space. My actual house is marked with red.

However, I'm still getting rats coming in. Looking at the CCTV I can see droppings in the pipe coming from my neighbour's (to the right of mine on the plan). So surely the one-way valve on my parking space won't stop rats coming from that direction? Should it have been fitted on my "private" section of pipe that only runs to MY house? We have access to the pipe because manhole marked MHS1 is in my garden and perfectly accessible.

I would be very grateful for any help as I am 82 and knackered and can't put up with the blighters much longer!

 

[accelerator]

Where are the rats getting into your house? A downstairs toilet?

Clearly the rats are using a different section of drainage to get into your house. So yes, it sounds like a one way valve needs to be fitted to the section of drainage they're using to get into your house, an additional valve that is (might as well keep the other one).

 

[arthur22]

Thank you for the reply - they've coming into the loft. I've put a little camera up there so I can see them, but they're so quick-moving and there are so many damn pipes and rafters and insulation bits up there it's difficult to see where they're coming from.

I have had pest control out already and they did seal up some small holes in the blockwork but there are no other obvious holes in the blockwork (it's a terrace).

I think they may be running up the drainpipe onto the guttering and then getting into the soffit which is completely open into the main loft space.

 

[accelerator]

If you have cavity walls, they could be climbing up them.

Also check:

Broken roof tiles or soffits

Vents and pipe openings

Brickwork gaps

Keep your loft clean and free of clutter or food sources.

Anyway, here's a video which may be helpful to you:

 

[foxhole]

A decent professional pest controller will get rid in one visit .

 

[arthur22]

A decent professional pest controller will get rid in one visit .

I've had three out so far. I must be hiring the wrong people, including the council man!

 

[Elsa TLC]

Where do you live Arthur? Id help you out if you where close to Essex.

I feel for you mate. These are horrible things. Ive gad them in my garden. Not so much now I have a cat.