Sewer Lines and Tree Roots

What do you do for sewer lines that are under the street with tree roots in them? I have PVC pipe for the lines on my property but where it runs into the city property (under the street) is where the clogs always are.

The city claims it is my responsibility to repair the lines that are on their property. I can't install verticle tubes to pour things into if it's a road.

Help !!!

Tim, I don't fully understand your comment about stopping the drilling when the hole is about 24" to 30" from the sewer line. If my sewer line is 36" below ground,
then this means I only drill 6" - 12" deep??

Trying to locate sewer line,city does not have records to old 1951,any sugestions on locating without costing to much money.Want to put a bathroom out back in garage. Thank you. Mark

What do you do for sewer lines that are under the street with tree roots in them? The problem is where the city property (under the street) is where the clogs always are.

The city claims it is my responsibility to repair the lines that are on their property. I can't install verticle tubes to pour things into if it's a concrete road.
Can you please help.

Hi Tim.

Thanks for the wonderful column. Where does one get a "hand powered earth auger?" Local rental shops around Cincinnati seem baffled.

Thanks,

Carl

Hello, I am so glad that this site is available! Thank you! We have inherited a HUGE PROBLEM, someone planted bamboo in the side yard of our home about 40 years ago and there is also a 40' Magnolia tree there also. The problem that has come up is a back up in the main line leading from the house to the street! The plumber snaked the pipe out 150' to the street, after 2 attempts and the loss of 2 heads on this beast a "k250" or something, he was able to get through, what should I do to keep this from happening again, I have killed 90% of the bamboo, I just don't want to have the main line back up again into my basement! This was the worst mess I have ever been through in my 51 years of life...any suggestions on how to STOP this from happening ever again?!?
Hollie

Hi Hollie,

I had the same problem. first thing I would do is get rid of the bamboo. It will eventually find your pipes again. Sounds like you live in a PM area like me. (preventative maintenance area) The city contractor that eventually came to my house said to use a root killer straight down the main sewer every six months. Don't use it down your toilet because of the Copper Sulfate that could damage your inside pipes.

Please don't use copper based root products in your sewer pipe. Copper that passes through the wastewater treatment plant is very toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Remove troublesome trees and shrubs. Use foaming root products sparingly, and only use copper sulfate on the exterior of the pipe. Replace old sewers, especially clay, with plastic pipe.

Thanks!

We have had a lot of trouble with our drains that has cost us a lot of money that most people these days don't have, and this problem is caused from the tree roots in front of our house that is owned by the city. and now people on both sides of us are having the same problems, cause by our tree roots. I would like to hear from who ever deals with this matter regarding tree roots that cause this problem. I feel that the problem is not going to be resolve in til someone looks into this more further. Thank you.