Signs of Frozen Sewer Lines That is why it is also important to recognize the signs of a frozen line. Two of the most recognizable clues include strange odors or noises coming from your sewer pipes. Gurgling sounds or foul smells are strong indicators that your pipes are backed up.
Most frozen icy waste removal jobs can be completed using the cold water supply from a garden hose. Heated water is usually not required. Use a sewer jetter with a nozzle that has a forward jet to help penetrate the icy clog.
Frozen pipes will eventually thaw on their own, but it could take days or even weeks. If New York City is experiencing a brutal cold snap, the temperature could stay below freezing for many days. Meanwhile, the water in the pipes could be expanding.
If your pipes are frozen, you can't flush your toilet. Drain pipes that take out the toilet's wastewater are totally separate from the supply pipes, one of which brings water into the toilet. If the supply pipes are frozen, you can likely only flush the toilet one time, unless you manually add water.
From the ground, or if you can see the cap from a window, visually inspect to see if you can spot ice build-up. Don't go on your roof. If your toilet is slow or gurgles, this can also be a sign that the vent is plugged.
Your sewer releases gases through a vent stack located on your roof. After a really heavy snow, that vent can become blocked and prevent air pressure from regulating your system. Smelly, potentially dangerous gases can back up into your living space if the problem isn't addressed quickly.
Your pipes will eventually thaw on their own, but this will take at least a few hours or potentially several days, depending on where the pipe is located and the air temperature around it.
“Frozen water can cause the toilet to crack, while freezing in the pipes connected to the toilet can lead to blocked water flow and, in severe cases, even cause the pipe to burst due to the expansion of ice,” says Fleming.
Pipe-thawing options: There are several things you can do to thaw your home's pipes. Here's a list: Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water.
And once the temperature outside dips below 32F, unprotected pipes are at a greater risk of freezing and potentially bursting. That said, it's still possible for your pipes to thaw without bursting. The key is to release the pressure and allow the pipes to thaw slowly.
Apply heat to the frozen area
There are several ways to do this. You can wrap the pipes in thermostatically controlled heat tape, or you can use an external heat source such as a hair dryer or space heater.
Thaw Frozen Pipes
Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe once the area is melted. This will help melt more ice. Apply heat to or around the pipe using a hair dryer.
Sewer lines can freeze, even if they are buried below the frost line. Extremely cold weather can send ice into drain systems. If left unused, without warm wastewater flowing through sewer lines, the pipes can freeze and burst.
Use an infrared lamp to heat the wall section where the frozen pipe is located. Heat lamps are a second choice, but infrared lamps are more efficient because theyn'tn't heat the air.
In most cases, no. Attempting to do so can cause pressure buildup in the pipe and lead to bursting. Additionally, flushing a toilet with a frozen pipe can result in unsanitary conditions due to a lack of proper drainage. Turn off the water supply and address the frozen pipe before attempting to use your toilet again.
You hear strange sounds: Banging or whistling from pipes or a strange gurgle when you flush the toilet are clear signs of pipe issues. You can see frost on the outside of the water pipe: Take this as a warning that your pipes are too cold and could be freezing.
Your pipes will eventually begin to thaw on their own once the temperatures rise above freezing.
Burst pipes will need to be replaced and a plumber is best equipped to handle the job. The average hourly plumber rate is around $330, depending on where you live and the size of your job. As long as your frozen pipes haven't burst, a plumber will likely charge a flat fee of around $100 to thaw them out.
Turn on all faucets: Checking each faucet in your home will help you narrow down your search. The faucets that have little or no water pressure likely have a frozen pipe in their supply line. If every faucet is showing low water pressure, the frozen pipe may be near the water meter.
Take every precaution to avoid frozen pipes–and if your pipes DO freeze, save yourself a headache by calling in a plumber with a thaw machine.
If your sewer pipes are not properly insulated, there is an increased risk of the water inside them freezing. Prepare your pipes for winter by wrapping them in insulation and securing them with electrical tape. This is how you prevent frozen sewer lines.