Is My Sewer Clogged or Frozen?
If water is not draining properly around your house, there is a chance that something is obstructing the flow of water and waste through the sewer pipes. Several things could cause a clog that results in an obstruction. In northern climates where sub-zero temperatures are common in the winter, sewer lines can actually freeze shut. The treatment for a frozen sewer is different than that for a clog, so it is important to know what you're up against. Does this Spark an idea?
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Symptoms
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Pay attention to any of the warnings signs that indicate a frozen or clogged sewer line. If you hear water in a drain in a different part of the house from the place where water is actually being used, you should investigate further. Strong sewer odors in the house are another bad sign. Of course, sometimes the signs are very obvious, such as when a toilet or a drain backs up and starts to spill water into your home. This means you likely have a clog of debris or ice in the sewer somewhere.
Likelihood of Freezing
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To determine if your sewer is frozen, judge whether or not your system is likely to freeze. If you live in an area where the ground freezes below the depth of your pipes, then freezing is a possibility. Sewers are also much more likely to freeze if you don't use them often. Vacation homes where the lines sit unused for long periods are more likely to have problems with freezing. Moving water down sewer lines helps prevent ice from forming.
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Frozen Sewer
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Unless you want to wait until spring for your sewer line to thaw out, a frozen sewer pipe requires the attention of a professional. Some products purport to thaw out sewer lines if you pour them down the drain, but their effectiveness is unproven at best. Sewer professionals have tools that blast very hot, high-pressure steam down your sewer line to thaw out any ice blockages and get the system moving again. Sometimes, they shoot jets of hot water down the pipes to achieve the same result.
Unclogging
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Unclogging a sewer line is something you may be able to do on your own, if you have a sewer snake. The snake needs to be inserted in an outdoor or basement sewer clean-out and run through until the clog is found and broken up or pulled out. However, sometimes the clog is located very far away from the clean-out access and you need a very long, powered snake. These machines are quite expensive, and require training and skill to use properly. A drain-cleaning professional will use snakes, as well as sewer cameras, to definitively locate your clog and remove it.
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References
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