Toilet Drips and makes Ice Blockage in Main Drain

Users who are viewing this thread

Molo

Member
Messages
922
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Cold New York
I believe the toilet is dripping into the main line and if it's out of use for a couple of days when it is cold outside it is forming an ice blockage in the main line.
What steps can I take to stop this from happening?
I'm wondering if it's being used as the expansion tank for the water heater. However, there is no backflow preventer into the municipal water system (not required here) so I'm wondering if the system would need the toilet for expansion.

Over a few cold days it froze a 4" line completely solid (in the basement).
Where do I start?

Thank you,
Bill
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
Is the flush valve leaking and water is going over the overflow tube or is it leaking by the flapper? Shut the water off and see if the tank empties, if it's not going down the overflow.
 

JohnjH2o1

Plumbing Contractor for 49 years
Messages
1,188
Reaction score
13
Points
38
Location
Florida
I believe the toilet is dripping into the main line and if it's out of use for a couple of days when it is cold outside it is forming an ice blockage in the main line.
What steps can I take to stop this from happening?
I'm wondering if it's being used as the expansion tank for the water heater. However, there is no backflow preventer into the municipal water system (not required here) so I'm wondering if the system would need the toilet for expansion.

Over a few cold days it froze a 4" line completely solid (in the basement).
Where do I start?

Thank you,
Bill

Are you on septic or city sewer? Either way there should be enough heat in the line to prevent freezing. The only time I saw this happen is when the septic tank was pumped when the temperatures were below freezing.

John
 
Last edited:

Molo

Member
Messages
922
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Cold New York
This is septic, but I've heard of it on city when the line wasn't deep enough outside and ran under a driveway where the frost was driven down.
 

Beads

All thumbs
Messages
47
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
New Orleans
Why is your basement so cold, are some walls exposed? Are your floors insulated? You must have other pipes there too. What keeps them from freezing?
 

Redwood

Master Plumber
Messages
7,335
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Connecticut
A leaking toilet can indeed cause a ice blockage to form in the main line.
For that matter so can dripping faucets and bellies in the line...

There are many drain lines that are not buried below the frost line that work great unless one of the above problems exist.
 

Molo

Member
Messages
922
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Cold New York
The 4" line froze at a place where an elbow is right up against the rim joist and there is no insulation. I need to find the drip.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks