Nothing is more disgusting than 4 to 6 inches of raw sanitary sewage in a basement or crawl space. Often the cause of backup problems can be traced to tree roots that have invaded a sewer line. The tree roots are drawn to sewer lines as they constantly and randomly search for food and water resources. The roots enter very small cracks in the pipe joints and when they find the water and nutrients in sewage, they go crazy. In the process, they drive homeowners like you and me crazy as well.

Solving the Problem

There are all sorts of concoctions you can put into your plumbing system that claim to solve root problems. A few work, but many do little to solve the problem. Any product that is simply a liquid or a solution that is flushed down the toilet will often do little. Why? The roots often grow down from the top of the pipe. The chemicals may burn the tips of the roots or any portion that the solution touches as it passes by the roots. The better chemical products are those that create a foam that fills the pipe void and contacts all of the roots. But keep in mind that the tree continues to grow and makes every attempt possible to re-establish root growth in the pipe.

Stop Them Before the Pipe

I have always thought the best way to stop basement water leaks is to stop the water BEFORE it gets to the basement. I have solved hundreds of chronic basement leaks by installing simple linear french drains around the perimeter of houses. These devices capture sub-surface water and redirect it around a house instead of into the basement.

You can apply the same thinking to tree roots in sewer pipes. Why not stop the roots BEFORE they get to the pipe? To achieve this all you have to do is poison the soil above and around the sewer pipe. Even if you only are able to treat several inches of soil around a sewer pipe, this method will be highly effective. The problem is, it is nearly impossible to deliver chemicals with that degree of pinpoint accuracy, especially to a pipe that is buried under tons of soil.

Dr. Pryor's Class

I majored in geology while in college. One of my favorite subjects was soil science and hydrogeology. I learned that water moves through soils in two directions. It moves down, then it moves sideways. Dr. Pryor, you would be proud of me. I did pay attention in class!

If you combine this knowledge with a delivery system that gets you close to sewer pipes, you can effectively treat soil above and around a sewer pipe so that it becomes distasteful to tree roots.

First Hand Experience

The second house I owned had a tree root sewer infestation. With the help of a professional sewer cleaner, I was able to determine a fairly accurate distance from the house where the tree roots entered the sewer pipe. I also found out where my sewer line entered my property. When I combined these two pieces of data I was standing right beneath two maple trees in between the sidewalk and the street.

I borrowed an earth auger and drilled a hole 10 feet deep. I glued a female adapter onto the end of a 1.5 inch PVC pipe and inserted the other end into the hole. With minimal effort I was able to extend the pipe into the earth so that the threaded end of the fitting was flush with the grass. I then poured 4 pounds of copper sulfate crystals into the pipe. Five gallons of hot water was then poured down the pipe. To make a long story short, the sewer never again backed up. I had nailed the problem. The placement of the pipe was obviously perfect and I was undoubtedly lucky, but the bottom line is that the trees continued to thrive, they just got their water and nutrients from someplace other than my sewer pipe.

Multiple Pipe Casings

You may not be as lucky as I was. You may have to sink 4 or 5 pipes into the soil in a line directly above or very near where you think your sewer problem is. You must also be patient. The copper sulfate takes months to poison the soil. The roots didn't plug the pipe in just one day and you are not going to dissolve them that quickly. If you combine a professional sewer cleaner, PVC pipe casings and copper sulfate, you absolutely can solve your tree root problem. Remember, patience...

Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here: (examples: drywall repair, pilot light goes out, poor lot drainage, crown molding guide, etc.) Your Facebook friends would love to know how this column helped you solve your problem. Type a quick comment of what you discovered here at AsktheBuilder.com. Thanks!

Comments: Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you. Jim 24 Nov 2007, 07:20 Wow, what a great solution to a very frustrating and often expensive problem! ATB 24 Nov 2007, 07:46 The best part is it actually works! Mark 15 Jan 2008, 17:14 I have root problem too. The sewer line in 10' down. I see you using a manual earth auger to do the job. Did you have extensions to drill this deep. I have been unable to find an earth auger that will go futher than 50". I appreciate the comments and your solution is brillant! AsktheBuilder 16 Jan 2008, 14:39 Mark, Yes, that auger I modified has 1" pipe threads. I have three 30" pieces of threaded pipe with couplings that allows me to drill 96" with ease. Drive to my house and I will let you borrow it. :-> Anna 16 Feb 2008, 16:30 Can a plumber be hired to do this if we're not DIYers? If not, who can? AsktheBuilder 16 Feb 2008, 16:34 Anna, I would think you would get a great job from a seasoned handyman. You would also save money. The key thing is finding a person who has the auger and can locate the sewer line accurately. Piercy 02 Mar 2008, 08:24 Sounds like a great solution. Copper sulphate is also a FERTILISER. I guess it depends on the concentration you use. I would imagine that if you didnt pour enough of the stuff down the hole it could be counter productive and actually stimulate root growth. How did you decide on 4 pounds? Would you think salt (Nacl) would do a similar or better job? AsktheBuilder 08 Mar 2008, 10:18 Piercy, Four pounds is the initial dose. You have to add more on a regular basis. Salt is not as effective and can kill the tree. Copper sulfate will not. james vonk 12 Apr 2008, 11:37 where does one get copper sulfate from ? and how often does one have to treat the soil above the pipes ? ellen Hogan 01 Jun 2008, 20:24 I have a problem with water backing up in my basement when there is a strong rain. I have had a plumber out every time and there is no roots in my drain. The water only backs up the storm drain and along with it comes some dirt. It also seems that when it comes up so far it seems to almost burp and the water goes back down the drain leaving the dirt. this has been going on for years mainly in the spring time when the rain comes down the hardest. Please help it is so frustrating      View all comments *Name: Email: Notify me about new comments on this page Hide my email *Text: Security Image: Security Image Text:   Remember, Tim Carter doesn't answer questions here in the comments. You need to go to the Ask Tim page.