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    jimw1217's Avatar
    jimw1217 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Dec 19, 2013, 02:53 PM
    Sewage pipe frozen?
    My furnace went out and my basement got very cold.
    My main drain pipe in the basement that goes outside and then to the septic tank
    Has a added pipe that was probably used to drain a water softer. This pvc drain is hooked to the main sewage pipe. It is a few inches higher than the drain going outside. It started to leak water from this opening and had formed a large icicle.
    All the pluming in the house is/was blocked.
    On the day the furnace was fixed I called a plumber out. The only place they can run a snake threw is in the basement. There is no check valve outside. This would make a huge mess if they opened this.
    They thought it was probably frozen.
    It has been a few days and the basement is warmer, but the drain is still clogged.
    It is still very cold outside.
    Could it still be frozen?
    I bought this house a few months ago from the bank so septic system was not cleaned out then. I could not point out exact area septic tank would be to the plumber but now have a could idea. The plumber did not search for it. I do not have any mushy spots in my yard that would indicate it is full? The plumbing company I used is very reputable, cleans out drains and empties septic tanks.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Dec 19, 2013, 05:23 PM
    If pipes froze INSIDE your house... you would be exceptionally lucky if thise haven't split in at least SOME places... assuming you didn't have the foresight to drain down everything before that could happen.

    Toilet bowls will crack as well if they have water in them when it freezes. If you didn't drain down everything and pour antifreeze in your toilet tanks abd bowl....you could be in for a rude surprise when they thaw out. And thats a much bigger issue than just a frozen sewer drain....which by the way can freeze as well.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #3

    Dec 19, 2013, 08:01 PM
    I agree with Smoothy, sounds like your darins froze and it can take days to thaw unless you apply heat directly to the drain where it leaves the house. Is this pipe PVC or cast?

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