Temperatures can dip below freezing in the winter months, even in Southern Arizona. A winter freeze can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system, with your home’s sewer pipe being no exception.
Frozen sewer pipes and drain lines can be an expensive inconvenience that requires extensive repair. The following is information related to protecting your sewer lines from cold weather and avoiding burst pipes.
To learn more about Frozen Pipes, check out our blogs in which we have answered common questions related to frozen pipes.
How to Locate the Frozen Pipe?
The first thing to be on the look out for is low water pressure coming from your faucets. If you’re able to locate low water flow, that can lead you to where the pipe might be frozen.
Another great first step is to check all uninsulated or unheated areas of the home where cold air has more of a chance of getting to the drain pipe. Areas like the garage, basement, crawl spaces, and attic are more at risk places to experience a pipes freeze.
Frozen Sewer Line
Besides low water pressure there are a few other signs you might have a frozen sewer or drain line. Most apparent would be a visibly frosty pipe, or one that has condensation on the outside.
Unusual gurgling noises could signal a freezing or thawing pipe that still has some water trickling through, and sewer smells may result if your frozen pipe is causing a back up of sewage into the home.
Diagnosing and treating these issues before they cause a pipe burst is the best way to avoid costly repairs and damage.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes?
To avoid frozen pipes in the first place, wrapping exterior pipes you can access is a good place to start. Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
In addition, find which faucets your external pipes provide water to and leave those faucets dripping (cold water will still prevent freezing) to keep things flowing.
Call Al Coronado Plumbing
There’s a reason Al Coronado Plumbing is Tucson’s trusted plumber. We value quality, honesty, cleanliness, and a professional plumbing experience for our customers.
Al Coronado knows your time is valuable. Our fast and convenient Tucson Plumbing services aim to get you back up and running as soon as possible. From start to finish, you and your family are at the top of our Tucson Plumbers’ priority list.