Professional CCTV Drain Surveys by Antiva
Rodents entering a property through damaged or poorly sealed drains is one of the most common - and most overlooked - causes of recurring rat infestations. At Antiva, we carry out professional drain inspections to locate exact entry points, structural defects, and environmental risks that allow rats to access homes and commercial buildings.
If you’ve dealt with rats more than once, the problem is rarely bait or trapping - it’s access.
If you have an active infestation, start with rat control. If rats are appearing in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or West Lothian, see rat control in Edinburgh, rat control in Glasgow, or rat control in West Lothian.
Why Drains Are a Major Entry Route for Rats
Rats are exceptional climbers and strong swimmers. Once inside the drainage network, they can:
Enter properties through cracked or fractured drain pipes
Exploit displaced joints and poor pipe connections
Break through weakened clay or pitch fibre drains
Access buildings via unsealed inspection chambers
Emerge through toilets, floor drains, or service voids
Treating rodents without inspecting the drains is a temporary fix.
A proper drain inspection turns pest control into prevention.
Our Drain Inspection Process
Antiva uses specialist CCTV drain inspection equipment to survey underground pipework without excavation or disruption.
During a drain inspection we assess:
Cracked, fractured, or collapsed pipes
Displaced joints and defective connections
Signs of rodent activity within the drainage system
Confirmed entry and exit points used by rats
Structural defects requiring repair or proofing
You receive clear findings based on evidence - not assumptions.
Identifying Rodent Entry Points, Not Just Symptoms
Many pest control companies focus only on internal signs such as droppings or gnaw marks. That approach treats symptoms, not causes.
Our inspections trace the infestation back to its source:
Where rodents are entering the drainage system
Where they are exiting into the property
Why previous treatments may have failed
This allows us to recommend targeted, long-term solutions, including:
Installation of rat blockers or non-return valves
Drain repairs or lining where required
Proofing of inspection chambers and access points
Environmental improvements to reduce attractants
Who Needs a Drain Inspection?
Drain inspections are strongly recommended if you are experiencing:
Repeat or ongoing rat infestations
Rats appearing in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements
Rodent activity with no visible external entry points
Issues in older properties with clay drainage systems
Problems in commercial premises with shared drains
If rats keep returning, the drainage system is almost always involved.
Rat Drain Problem Checklist
Book a drain inspection if:
Rats have returned after baiting or trapping
Activity is close to kitchens, bathrooms, basements, or utility rooms
Rats are seen near inspection chambers, toilets, or floor drains
There are no obvious external holes or gaps
The property is a restaurant, rental, hotel, care home, school, or commercial site
Residential and Commercial Drain Inspections
We provide professional drain inspections for:
Domestic properties
Restaurants and food premises
Retail units
Offices and commercial buildings
Letting agents and property management companies
All inspections are carried out with minimal disruption and supported by clear reporting suitable for landlords, insurers, or contractors.
Why Choose Antiva?
Many pest control providers avoid proper drain inspections because they require specialist equipment and experience. The result is repeat infestations and unnecessary call-outs.
Antiva offers:
Specialist knowledge of rodent behaviour
CCTV drain inspection capability
Honest diagnosis focused on permanent solutions
Practical recommendations you can act on
A prevention-first approach to pest control
We don’t just remove rodents.
We stop them coming back.