The cold winter air isn’t just a nuisance outside; it can cause problems within your home, too. Frozen sewer pipes can lead to a lack of water coming from your tap and to backups in the other pipes in your home. In the worst-case scenario, your frozen pipe can burst, causing a huge flood of sewage water all over your property. A burst pipe is much more expensive to repair than a frozen pipe. So how can you prevent catastrophe due to frozen sewer pipes in the winter? Read on to learn the signs of a frozen sewer pipe so that you can catch the problem before it gets worse.

1. No Running Water

If you turn on the tap on your sink and nothing comes out, or it comes out in a slow trickle, it’s a sure sign you have a problem with your plumbing. If the weather is 32 degrees or below, you can bet your problem is likely a frozen pipe. A buildup of ice within the pipe blocks water from getting through, which is what you are experiencing when nothing comes out of your tap.

2. Visibly Frosty Pipe

If you can actually see frost on a pipe, you’re definitely dealing with a frozen pipe situation. As soon as you see signs of frost, it’s time to call a plumber as you don’t want the problem to get worse. Don’t even attempt turning on the tap because you’ll just contribute to whatever ice has already built up inside the pipe. As a precaution, it would be smart to shut off the water to that area of your home until the problem is fixed or the ice thaws.

3. Strange Sounds

Do you hear weird banging or gurgling noises coming from the direction of your pipes? Those sounds can indicate you have a frozen pipe that is beginning to thaw, or that has some ice that is moving around inside it. If you continue to hear such noises, it could be worth calling a plumber to investigate and make sure your pipe is not in danger of bursting before it thaws.

4. Sewage Smells

When a pipe is frozen, not only is water blocked but so is the odor within it. Your frozen sewer pipe has, you guessed it, sewer water trapped there! That means the pungent odor of sewage will start to waft into your home, alerting you to a problem with your sewer pipe. If you smell this sewage smell and can’t find the source, it’s probably time to call a plumber.

5. Leaks

A buildup of ice can actually crack your sewage pipe, causing leaks as the ice begins to thaw. If you notice signs of a leak in your home, including damp walls or floors, call a plumber right away. You don’t want to wait until you have a full-on flood or a completely burst pipe!

Frozen pipes are no fun, and they’re even less fun if they burst. They can cause a variety of problems that are expensive to fix, so the quicker you take care of the issue, the more money you’ll save and the greater ability you will have to actually use your sewer system! The experts at A&L Cesspool will take care of your frozen sewer pipes and can help you prevent frozen pipes in the future!