Tree roots are among the largest threats to your home’s sewer lines. Every pipe you dig in your yard is an open invitation for tree roots to undermine it. Sewer lines underground carry nutrient-laden wastewater, and tree roots love nothing better than to have a nutrient source within reach.
Tree roots and sewer pipes are a “match made-in-heaven.” But it gets you into major hot water with your pipes when the two meet.
Tree roots send out extensions into spaces for accessible nutrients. If they find a spot on your lawn where the nutrients can be accessed easily, they will try to take advantage of that source of sustenance. Your sewer pipes can be that easily accessible source of nutrients.
It only happens if sewer pipes leak. That is due to the fact that plant roots will be unable to access water in sewer pipes if they are not leaking. Even a minute crack in a pipe will, however, be utilized by plants. The instant the root gets into the break, it is only a matter of time before it clogs up the whole pipe.
Tree roots extending into sewer lines is the most common reason for damage to sewer lines. One of the first indications that your sewer line contains tree roots is slow moving water and gurgling sounds from the toilet after every flush.
The chances of this problem happening in your home increase with the age of the house. Older homes with old pipes prone to corrosion are more exposed to this problem, explains Keyrenter Premier Property Management. Tree roots intrusion in sewer pipes is also more likely if there are trees within 20 meters of your sewer lines.
Is there a way to remove tree roots if they find their way into your sewer lines? What can you do to prevent the problem? There are two aspects to dealing with the issue of tree root intrusion into sewer lines. You must get rid of the roots and repair the damage to your pipes.
This post deals with tree root removal only.
How to remove tree roots from your sewer line pipes
Below are three DIY options for removing tree roots from a sewer line. These options only work for removing small tree roots. If you try them and the problem does not go away, you will have to go for the fourth solution; getting a professional to solve the issue.
Use rock salt
Rock salt is not coarse sea salt or table salt. It is that stuff you throw on icy sidewalks. Rock salt helps remove tree roots because it draws the water from them. If you deprive them of moisture, tree roots become dehydrated and die. Rock salt can be bought online or at a local store; you need 2 pounds of it.
To do this, follow these steps;
- Pour ½ a pound of rock salt into your toilet.
- Flush the toilet as many times as necessary to push the salt into the lines.
- Once the salt is gone, let it sit inside the pipes for at least 12 hours.
- During this time, do not flush your toilets. It will give the salt enough time to do its work.
Note that rock salt will kill tree roots, the tree, and surrounding vegetation. Rock salt can also corrode and weaken pipes.
Use copper sulfate
Copper sulfate, also known as bluestone, will kill the tree roots inside your sewer line pipes. You can buy this cheap herbicide/algaecide at your local hardware or garden supply store. You only need a half cup of copper sulfate.
To use it, follow these steps;
- Pour half a cup of copper sulfate into the toilet.
- Flush until all the crystals get into the lines.
- Open the windows in your home and leave the house for a few hours, taking your kids and pets with you.
- Flush the toilet when you return.
Warning: copper sulfate is toxic to pets; it can kill them on contact. It is banned in certain places; before you use it, check the local legislation.
Use foaming root killers
Foaming root killers kill tree roots and keep them from growing back. This powder foams when it comes in contact with water. Tree roots hate the active agent in the powder – dichlobenil – and will stay away if they detect the substance.
To use the powder, pour it into your toilet and flush. It will locate the tree roots and kill them. It also leaves a residue that prevents future tree root intrusion. You can repeat this every month to avoid future problems with tree roots.
Cut the tree roots
This solution requires you to call a local plumber, and it works for both small and large tree roots. The plumber will first do a camera inspection of your sewer lines to know the exact location of the tree roots. Afterward, plumbers can get rid of the tree roots using a process known as hydro jetting service.
High Pressure Water Streaming Known as Hydro-Jetting is the Best Way to Cut Through Tree Root Infiltration in your Sewer Line.
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