Does your Chicago multi-family residential building have a waterbug problem in spite of regular pest control treatments? If you answered yes to this question, you may have cracked vent and/or drain pipes that are allowing waterbugs in plumbing pipes to enter your apartment building, condo or co-op.
Roaches in Your Multi Unit Building Plumbing
Cockroaches can enter and live in drain lines and vent pipes if they are cracked or have holes in them. The most common type of drain pipe cockroach is the Oriental Cockroach, which is sometimes referred to as a water bug. American cockroaches and German cockroaches may also be found in wet areas, like bathrooms and kitchens.
The Telltale Signs of Waterbugs in Plumbing
While you may not see more than one or two cockroaches during the day, the signs of an infestation are not hard to miss. You may find dead cockroaches in your sinks and under your cabinets as well as cockroach skins lurking under appliances. You may also find cockroach feces, which can look like coffee grounds or tiny cylinders, depending on the size of the roach. You may also notice an increase in bad smells.
Preventing Roach Infestations Inside Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Cleanliness is the number one way to stop a roach infestation. Trash cans should always have a lid and the bags should be emptied once they become full. If you have a cafeteria, kitchen or food court area in your building, The surfaces and floors should be swept and mopped regularly, and all food should be stored in sealed containers.
Like most insects, roaches love damp areas. This means that water spills should be cleaned up immediately, and clogged drains should be professionally cleaned. If a pipe is leaking or cracked, it should be repaired in a timely manner.
In addition to keeping the public areas of your building clean, you should also instruct your residents on the importance of keeping their units clean and reporting any maintenance problems. By following these tips, you can greatly reduce your risk for a large roach infestation.
Pipe Lining for Roaches in Your Multi Unit Building Plumbing
Once roaches get a foothold in a large, multi-story building, they can be difficult to eradicate, especially if you’ve taken all the necessary precautions. When this happens, there’s a good chance that the roaches are entering your building through cracks in your vent lines and drain pipes. The good news is that you can eliminate this avenue by sealing the cracks, and one of the best ways to do that is with an epoxy pipe liner.
Here at Nu Flow, our pipe lining technicians can inspect your vent stacks and drain lines to determine if they have excessive corrosion or are cracked. If they are, we can seal and restore your pipes with our pipe lining services, which will help prevent roaches from entering your building through your plumbing pipes.
To learn more about how we can help you prevent cockroaches from entering your multi-story residential building in Chicago, call us today at 815-790-9000.