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Plumbers in Houston share DIY tricks for unfreezing a frozen sewer pipe
When the temperature outside is frigid the water in the sewer pipes is liable to freezing. There is a risk of bursting if you do not thaw your frozen pipe quickly. We have discussed some tips and tricks to help you thaw your frozen pipe.
Locate The Frozen Pipe
- It is important to locate the pipe or pipes that are frozen before you begin thawing your sewer pipes. Conduct a thorough inspection and see if any of the pipes have frost on them. A frozen pipe is easier to locate because it is slightly bulged.
You will have more options for easily thawing the pipe if the blockage is located in a part of the pipe that you have access to. There is a chance that more than one sewer pipe on the property is frozen.
Tips For Locating A Frozen Pipe
Look in the accessible areas first by following the tips mentioned below.
- Search the pipes near uninsulated crawlspaces, attics, or basements.
- Sewer pipes near cold concrete are more likely to freeze in freezing temperatures.
- Although specific systems are designed to keep standing water out of the pipes, still make sure you check all the outdoor pipes.
Apply Direct Heat
- Once you have located a frozen sewer pipe it is time to move on to the next step. Apply direct heat on the frozen spot in your sewer line to thaw the ice in it.
Common devices that can be used for this purpose are propane torches and heat guns. These are useful for applying direct heat to the specific sections of the sewer line that are frozen.
Limitations Of Direct Heat Method
- This trick can only be used in sections of the sewers that are accessible and approachable. It is crucial to use a heat shield behind the sewer pipes for extra protection.
Since direct heat can cause the soldered joints to leak. When using a propane torch or heat gun hold the flame at least 2 feet away from the flammable materials.
Provide Ambient Heat
- When you have located the frozen pipe it is better to call a trained plumber to take care of the issue for you. The professional plumber will use the method of ambient heat to thaw the frozen pipe.
In this method, a space or bullet heater is used to raise the indoor temperature. When the frozen pipe is located indoors, a space heater is usually placed near the frozen pipe.
Bullet Heaters For Thawing
- If the large areas of the sewer line are frozen then bullet heaters are used for thawing. The frozen sections of sewer lines are heated using a bullet heater attached to 100, 40, or 20-pound cylinders.
However, with bullet and space heaters there is a risk of carbon monoxide release. Therefore, the professional plumbers make sure that indoors are adequately ventilated when using bullet heaters.
Installing Tank Heaters
- Tank heaters are ideal for sewer pipes that have just started to freeze. In other words, tank heaters are useful for successfully preventing the phenomenon of freezing in the sewer pipes.
Tank heaters are installed over the access pipe of the septic tank or the dropbox. This helps create a constant and safe level of heat that efficiently thaws frozen pipes and reduces the chances of future freezing.
Use of Hydro Jetting
- Another important trick to thaw frozen pipes is through hydro jetting. Steam or water is sent through the sewer lines by using a high velocity. In this way, the frozen water that was blocking your pipes is dislodged and forced down the line. Thus the sewer pipes are cleared without causing any damage to the plumbing.
The professional solutions used by certified plumbers at Proline Plumbing are a safe and foolproof way to thaw your frozen sewer lines. Call our professional plumbers at 832-772-5501 to have your sewer lines inspected. We provide all sorts of plumbing and sewer line repair services. Our company is operating in Houston Texas.