Bats in Your Plumbing System: What to Do When Wildlife Gets In

With a high bat population in Central Texas, it’s not unusual to discover signs of bats in your home, especially in hidden areas like vents and pipes. At Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we provide professional plumbing services across the region.

Our licensed team has experience handling unique situations and can respond quickly and safely when animals find their way inside your system.

Can Bats Get in Your Plumbing?

Yes—while uncommon, it does happen. Bats can squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter inch, and may enter homes through plumbing vent stacks, roofline cracks, or unscreened openings.

Common causes include:

• Aging or damaged vent caps
• Poorly screened vent stacks
• Seasonal bat migration in Central Texas

Signs You May Have a Bat or Animal in the System

If you notice any of the following, your plumbing system may have been breached:

• Unusual Noises: Scratching, squeaking, or fluttering behind walls or near pipes
• Strong Odors: A sharp ammonia-like smell near drains or roof vents
• Sewer Gas Smells: Especially around bathrooms and kitchens
• Slow Drainage or Clogs: A deceased animal in the vent pipe can block proper airflow or water flow
• A Bat in the Toilet Bowl: A rare but clear sign of system intrusion

Early detection is vital to prevent further damage.

Why Bats in Plumbing Are a Serious Issue

Finding a bat in your plumbing system isn’t just unpleasant. It can lead to several health and safety concerns:

• Disease Risk: Bats can carry rabies and leave behind droppings that contain histoplasmosis spores.
• Vent System Failure: A blocked vent can allow sewer gases to back up into your home.
• Pipe Damage: Bat waste is acidic and can cause damage to surrounding materials or contribute to blockages.
• Legal Violations: Bats are protected in Texas, and harming them even accidentally can lead to penalties.¹

What Not to Do and What to Do Instead

These problems require immediate and professional attention. Attempting a DIY fix can lead to health risks, legal trouble, or further plumbing damage.

Do Not

• Try to force the animal out through flushing or water flow
• Reach into a vent or drain
• Pour chemicals or cleaners down the pipe
• Seal any suspected entry point before a licensed inspection

Do This Instead

• Limit plumbing use in the affected area
• Call professionals like Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing for plumbing system maintenance
• Work with wildlife removal experts for live bat cases

Why Licensed Plumbing Services Are the Right Call

Dealing with a bat in plumbing isn’t a job for DIY methods. Licensed professionals have the tools and training to inspect, repair, and restore your system safely and legally.

Professional plumbing service includes long-term fixes like vent cap replacement, which prevents bats from entering and protects your system year-round.

Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing provides fast, reliable service across Central Texas. From emergency service to routine maintenance, we deliver long-term plumbing solutions you can trust.

FAQs

How do bats get into plumbing vents?

Bats can enter through uncapped or damaged vent stacks on your roof. These vertical pipes connect to your home’s plumbing system and often go unnoticed if not properly screened or maintained.

Why shouldn’t I remove the bat myself?

Bats carry diseases and are legally protected. DIY removal puts your health and legal standing at risk.

Can bats clog a drain or sewer line?

While rare, a trapped or deceased bat in a vent stack or pipe can block air flow, which disrupts drainage and may cause slow drains or sewer gas smells in your home.

Are there legal steps to follow in Texas?

Yes. Bats are protected by law, so licensed professionals must handle their removal.¹

Schedule Emergency Plumbing Services or an Inspection Today

Have you seen signs of a bat in the toilet, heard strange noises, or noticed bad smells around your home? Don’t ignore it. Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers prompt, professional Central Texas plumbing solutions, including emergency plumbing system services when fast action is required.

Call now or book your inspection online for expert plumbing services in Texas backed by over 70 years of experience.

Source

1. Justia. Texas Parks & Wildlife Code § 63.101 (2024).