Clearing frozen sewer line

[TheJackRabbit]

Heated pressure washer. Get 1/2 inch PVC or plastic conduit and cap the end. Drill a small hole in the end cap. Attach it to the pressure washer using a threaded connection. Shove it into the clean out and keep adding sections to the pipe until it is to the clog and then spray away. Should be similar to how you would trench under a driveway. I would block behind the clean out to keep water from flowing into the lines inside. It will be really nasty.

You could also try a power snake with a root cutter to get a small hole through it. Then clear the rest with really hot water.

Since access to the line is through a vertical cleanout with a bend it may be better to use a hot water hose. Bending the 1/2 inch pvc pipe to make that bend would present anothe problem, especially if the pipe got stuck in the sewer line.

I wondered if a root cutter on a power snake would cut ice. It would surely worry the ice. In combination with hot water it might penetrate.

 

[mooker82]

Since access to the line is through a vertical cleanout with a bend it may be better to use a hot water hose. Bending the 1/2 inch pvc pipe to make that bend would present anothe problem, especially if the pipe got stuck in the sewer line.

I wondered if a root cutter on a power snake would cut ice. It would surely worry the ice. In combination with hot water it might penetrate.

I would think ithe cutter would chip away at the ice. If you can pump out the water in the line so the hot water reaches the ice it would be even more effective.

We had a similar but much smaller problem when I lived in the mountains. We opened the clean out and pumped the water out using an old bilge pump. Then used a propane turkey fryer to boil water to dump in the line. Thinking about it makes me happy I live in a warm climate.

 

[TheJackRabbit]

In talking with a neighbor who had a similar problem a few winters back, she had to wait until April for the line to warm up.

This winter, water lines, yard hydrants, sewer lines are frozen all over the area. All from improper installation.

 

[bigndn]

I read that someone mentioned putting antifreeze down the cleanout and then the subsequent discussion.

What about dumping something else with a lower freezing point down the pipe, such as cheap booze? Grain alcohol?

 

[45Kevin]

I guess you are in NM right. The ground tempreture below the frost line is probably a steady 60F or 70F.

If you got a few sheets of 2" styrofoam and laid them on top of some fiberglass insulation, in a few days the influence of the air on the pipe would be overcome by the influence of the deeper, warmer ground. And it would melt. Get the 4x8 sheets and insulate a 4' wide swath over the pipe.

I say it is worth a try. 1bdl pink - $20, 3 sht sm blue - $30

 

[KLF]

People bitch and moan about all the codes and inspections we have to suffer through, this is a perfect example of why we have them.

It would take a LOT of booze to thaw out that much ice. Alcohol absorbs water quickly, so it would get diluted fast and lose effectiveness. I don't think I'd want that much booze dumped into my septic tank either.

 

[snobdds]

Now, I am not a plummer, nor do I claim to be....but, I have a rental house here and one day the pipes froze solid. They brought in, basically a AC/DC welder to zap the pipes open. In most places I see the black pipe (don't know the real name) used as sewage pipe. Could this same technique work if the pipe is this black metal stuff...?

 

[KLF]

House would have to be REALLY old to have cast iron sewer pipe. More likely it's PVC.

Even if it was iron, it's kinda grounded... being buried in the ground and all...

 

[Toyo FJ40]

Find a plumber with a jetter drain cleaner. Running hot water through a jetter will remove ice. You need to work from the down hill side.

There is heat tape for inside pipe. I've used the heat cables for roof melting to keep gutter drain pipes open.

Inside pipe heater

 

[haryv]

I dont think ALL of the 15 feet is blocked

I would say, a portion of the 15 feet is blocked. IE, the ice gradually froze layer by layer untill the last section left, was closest to the top of the pipe. So while the entire length of ice may be 15 feet, I bet only a small section near the top is completely frozen. If you are going to shove a pvc pipe with steam coming out of it, aim it at the top of the pipe to deice the top edge first. If you break through then you can take the wand to the other side, inside the house to finish the job.

BTW, what is the frost line in your local? must suck not having to use water or toilet.

 

[alia176]

Just curious how this process is coming along. Sounds like a miserable existence until it's fixed.

 

[TheJackRabbit]

Just curious how this process is coming along. Sounds like a miserable existence until it's fixed.

Still frozen solid. Day temps inthe 40s, nights in the 20s. Snow and Ice is still present on the surface although the ground is warming. I expect about another month of crapping in plastic trash bags. I live alone, fortuantely. If I were still married it would be very bad here. It is hundreds of dollars to get someone here with a steam cleaner to melt the ice. Not worth the expense. So there is a bucket in the kitchen sink, plastic bags in the commode and I shower at a friend's house. It is like a long term camping trip.

Thanks for the interest and solidarity. There will be a very carefully installed replacement pipe section this summer.

 

[TheJackRabbit]

People bitch and moan about all the codes and inspections we have to suffer through, this is a perfect example of why we have them.

It would take a LOT of booze to thaw out that much ice. Alcohol absorbs water quickly, so it would get diluted fast and lose effectiveness. I don't think I'd want that much booze dumped into my septic tank either.

Inspections in rural New Mexico???? Surely you jest. If someone is luck perhaps, maybe, the State Mechanical Inspector or State Electrical Inspector will actually show up. Anything else, just take a photo of the work and file it. No one will show up for inspections.
I do agree with your main point. tghe codes are here for our protection. There is no code reference about sleeving sewer lines as far as I know. This is about the only way the line could have been protected.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I take it this recent cold snap don't help

sorry, I couldn't help it after encountering a plugged pipe and backed-up toilet myself the other day - not frozen, fortunately

 

[Photoman]

I imagine you have an agriculture store around? If so something you can do is buy some lime. Break the lime up as fine as possible and put it over the ditch line. 300 lbs should easily do 8 feet of ditch 2 feet wide. Pour hot water on the lime and cover with hay and a piece of plastic if you have it. I believe you said you had horses? If so mix in fresh manure with the hay. This should thaw the ground 1 foot deep over night. You can later save the lime for crops later in the year depending on how your ground is in that area.
By the way, usually pipes freeze under a driveway because the snow is usually removed or run down there. The cold temperatures can then penetrate deep without the snow cover.

 

[AJP]

I expect about another month of crapping in plastic trash bags

brought a smile to my face.... a number of years ago I took a platoon to the Arctic (Cornwallis Island) and because nothing "breaks down" and bacteria sits close to the surface in what is essentially a desert... we were required to "bag" everything including the daily dump. The army in their infinite wisdom issued industrial strength CLEAR garbage bags for the purpose. I found you could actually make a passable commode by hanging the bag between two harnessed snowshoes (magnesium frames) and as long as you didnt lose your balance and get castrated by the snowshoes snapping together you were good to go (of course the series of events that might unfold if you were discovered by a wondering polar bear while you enjoyed a secluded dump was not to be considered) ... anyway we made the last man in the platoon carry the bag (so to speak) ... in one of the great examples of infantry democracy even the platoon commander had to take his turn carrying it (although I think I complained and whined more than most of the guys!)