How To Keep A Sewer Vent Pipe From Freezing?

Here are 5 tips that you can use to prevent your sewer pipes from freezing in the winter.

1. If you have identified that your pipes are or may be frozen or if they’ve burst – you want to shut off the water flow – so familiarize yourself with where the shut-off valve is in your home.

2. When it gets cold outside – increase your water heaters temperature a few degrees.

3. If you have any pipes exposed to the outside – do what you can to insulate them as much as you can.

4. Turn on outdoor faucets so that water comes out in a dribble. This keeps moving water in the pipes and helps to prevent freezing.

5. If there is a good accumulation of snow around water drains – make sure to clean that out as soon as possible.

Why Does My Sewer Vent Pipe Freeze?

Your sewer vent pipe is exposed to the elements up there on your roof top. It normally only freezes when there are long, extended periods of very cold weather.

Essentially though – the reason it can freeze is because as the sewer gas escapes from the vent, the water vapor condenses and then freezes from the cold temperatures. This in turn creates a frosty layer on the pipe itself, thus causing your vent pipe to freeze.

How Do I Know If My Sewer Vent Is Frozen?

Here are some tips on how you can identify if your sewer pipes have frozen.

1. Any sign of water puddles (big or small) are normally an indication that there’s a crack in a pipe nearby.

2. If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your pipes, then something is not right – if the temperature has gone down below freezing – your pipes may have frozen.

3. Any foul smell coming from your drainage system is also an indication that there’s either a severe clog causing a backup or a crack in the pipe.

4. If you can see frost on your pies – that’s definitely a sign that your pipe has frozen.

5. II you aren’t getting any water when you turn your faucet on – and the temperature has dipped down below 32 degrees – well that’s also a tell tale sign that your pipes may have frozen.

Is A Frozen Sewer Vent Dangerous?

In short, yes it can be harmful to your health. If your sewer vent pipe has frozen, then the gases that normally can escape through that vent are trapped. As a result they can cause symptoms in humans such as headaches, nausea and dizziness.

If you have any questions about your sewer vent pipe or are having some problems with one, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.