Drain cleaning
Surveys and diagnostics
Blocked drain right now?
Engineer on call 24/7. Typical Dublin arrival approx 90 minutes.
We inspect drainage systems using CCTV cameras to identify exactly where rats and other rodents are entering properties through drains, and recommend targeted repairs to seal every entry point.
Our Prices
Rats are strong swimmers and can hold their breath long enough to travel through sewer pipes and into properties. Our rodent investigation service uses CCTV cameras to inspect your drainage system from the inside, identifying the specific points where rodents are getting through: broken pipes, missing drain covers, damaged interceptors, open inspection chambers, gaps around pipe penetrations and faulty toilet seals. The report we produce maps each entry point so repairs can be targeted precisely.
The engineer accesses the drain through existing manholes or cleanouts and feeds the camera through the system. We check each junction, connection and transition point along the route from your property to the main sewer. Where we find damage or openings large enough to allow rodent access, we record the location and depth. We then walk you through the footage and recommend the combination of rat flap installation, drain repairs or sealing works that will stop the problem permanently.
Available 24/7, 365 Days a Year
Dylex operates around the clock every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays, so you're never left waiting when a drainage emergency strikes.
Priority Emergency Call-Out
When you call with a blocked drain or plumbing emergency, your job goes to the front of the queue and the nearest van is sent, across Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Certified
Dylex holds internationally recognised certifications for quality management and environmental management, giving customers confidence in the standard of every job.
Transparent Fixed Pricing
Every job comes with an upfront quote before work begins, no hidden charges, no surprises, just honest pricing you can trust.
Most Blockages Cleared on the First Visit
Fully equipped vans carry high-pressure jetting gear and CCTV cameras to every job, meaning Dylex engineers can diagnose and fix most drain problems in a single visit.
Pest control treatments deal with the rodents already inside a property, but they don't stop more from entering. Our CCTV-based drain investigation finds the structural access routes that rodents are using, which is the information needed to block them permanently. We've carried out rodent investigations in properties across Dublin since 2006 and we work alongside pest controllers to provide a joined-up solution. All work is covered by our public liability insurance.
The concern most customers raise is whether finding the entry points will mean expensive excavation. In most cases it doesn't. Rat flap installation is non-invasive and can be completed in about an hour through existing access points. Where drain repairs are needed to close a broken section, we use no-dig relining where the pipe condition allows. Get in touch to book an investigation and we'll give you a clear picture of what's involved.
Rodents entering through drains can be hard to distinguish from rodents entering through other routes. The key indicators that suggest drain access specifically are rodent activity near drain covers or gullies, rats appearing near the toilet, and scratching or movement sounds under ground-floor areas close to drain runs.
Coverage
We cover Meath, Wicklow, Dublin and Kildare. Fast response times across every area listed here.
You may also need
01
We install stainless steel rat flaps inside drain pipes to permanently stop rodents from entering your property through the drainage system. Non-invasive installation, no digging required.
02
We use waterproof cameras to inspect your drains from the inside, identifying blockages, cracks, root damage and collapsed pipes without any digging. You get a full written report and video footage.
03
We repair cracked, collapsed and misaligned drains across Dublin and surrounding counties, and offer planned maintenance programmes to keep problems from coming back.
Yes. Rats can swim through the sewer system, pass through drain pipes, and enter properties via the toilet or any other fixture connected to an open drain. It's more common in properties with older or damaged drainage systems.
We carry out a CCTV inspection of your drainage system from the inside, looking for breaks, gaps, open junctions and other structural defects that rodents are using to access your property. We record the footage and produce a report showing exactly where the entry points are.
Yes. We carry out rat flap installation and drain repairs ourselves, so you don't need to manage multiple contractors. After the investigation, we'll quote you for the recommended works and complete them in a follow-up visit or the same day if the scope is straightforward.
Pest control addresses the rodents already in your property, while our investigation addresses how they're getting in. Both are often needed. We work alongside pest controllers and can recommend the right sequence of actions based on what we find.
A standard residential investigation takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Larger properties or sites with extensive drain networks may take longer. We'll give you an estimate when you call.
A rat in the drainage system rarely announces itself politely. More often, the first clue is a foul smell near a gully, scratching behind a wall, or a toilet that suddenly starts bubbling for no obvious reason. If you are wondering how rats get into drains, the short answer is that they do not need much of an opening, and once they find food, warmth and cover, they tend to keep coming back.
Read more →
A bad drain smell that keeps coming back is rarely random. If traps are full, surfaces are clean and the odour still finds its way into bathrooms, kitchens, corridors or plant rooms, a smoke test investigation for drain leaks is often the fastest way to stop guessing and find the fault.
Read more →
Most CCTV drain survey guides tell you what a camera sees. This one tells you when you actually need one, what a good report looks like, and why Dylex runs surveys 24/7, 365 days a year across Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
Read more →24h emergency · helpdesk@dylex.ie
