Finding a snake in your toilet bowl is the stuff nightmares are made of. It can cause a fright to you as the householder, and it’s the type of code brown plumbers aren’t trained to fix.
It’s important to realise finding a snake in your toilet is uncommon – even though recent news reports of surprise findings have made it seem otherwise.
Despite it being uncommon, the fact that it does happen means the possibility could happen to your toilet.
Preventative measures are key to ensure your toilet bowl is less appealing to a snake. Here are the 3 top ways to prevent a snake finding its way into your toilet.
1. Organise a plumbing inspection at your property
Snakes find their way into the sewer lines where there are gaps or openings in pipework, allowing them to slide right through.
Organising a plumbing inspection can give you peace of mind. Your plumber will check all outdoor and indoor plumbing connections and repair upon identification of any opening.
The overflow relief gully (ORG) is a common way for snakes to find their way into the sewer and through to your toilet. Always ensure the grate is inserted into the opening. If the grate has been removed or damaged, your plumber will be able to replace this for you.
2. Keep the lid to your toilet bowl and cistern closed
Snakes are able to slide through small gaps into garage doors and windows. If they’re looking for water, the toilet bowl will look mighty attractive.
Always keep the toilet seat lid down when not in use and ensure the cistern lid is secure at all times. If it breaks or can’t be sealed to the cistern, your plumber will need to replace this for you.
Snakes have found their way into toilet cisterns which can be inconvenient when trying to flush. The only way into a toilet cistern is if the lid is missing, allowing the tank water to be available for the snake to slither into.
3. Book a pest and rodent treatment
Snakes follow the trail of their food like mice or rats. The best way to prevent your home being attractive to snakes is to stop the food trail. Book a pest and rodent treatment to your home to remove the appeal for a meal out.
In the event you do find a snake in your toilet bowl, it’s best to ring a local snake catcher first. They have the expertise to skilfully remove the reptile from your toilet and release it back into the wild.
