Avoiding Sewer Back Ups From Tree Roots

Wow, what a great solution to a very frustrating and often expensive problem!

The best part is it actually works!

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!

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. :->

Can a plumber be hired to do this if we're not DIYers? If not, who can?

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.

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?

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.

where does one get copper sulfate from ? and how often does one have to treat the soil above the pipes ?

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

I've had my sewer lines replaced with PVC and still believe we're having root problems by tree roots growing underneath the house and into the lines. I've been flushing copper sulfate crystals each night and no luck, it's flowing as slow as ever.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Ben

I'm considering a gas auger (one-man 43cc) because the red clay in Georgia is rock hard. Would I need a 2" bit since the PVC is 1.5"? Where would I find a ready made extension (the bit is 3 ft., I need to go down to 10 ft.)? Thank you much!

For tree roots control into sewer pipe the only solution has to be a product called Biobarrier manufactured by the company Fiberweb .
www.biobarrier.com

COPPER SULFATE can be found at most feed stores generally runs around $5.00/lb down here in these parts of texas anyway.
I was told rock salt pourded in the sewage lines left over night helps but then again its only getting the root inside the pipe and doesnt attack it from the top.
Im going to try the PVC heck my sewage line is around 3 foot deep where the problem is guess I got lucky considering how much rock or little top soil I do have I hve read so much about this copper sulfate anything is better than a $4,000 new sewage line!

Is it possible to attach PVC drain pipe to ceramic drain pipe to replace a broken section of ceramic pipe that was destroyed by tree roots? If so, what is the best way?

Where does one get copper sufate?

I want to protect my home's foundation from aggressive tree root growth from a neighbor's tree without destroying the tree or destroying one on my property. The roots of the neighbor's tree can extend approx 30' to 40' and is known for its invasive root system. The root system on my tree is not invasive. Do you still recommend the copper sulfate?

Ours is a drain pipe for our washer and furnace. It started backing up and we dug it up and it is blocked with roots. Is there an auger or tool we can use to put a hole thru it so we can use the rootX? Thank you

I got an offer in the mail for insurance against outside plumbing problems. Do you think its a good idea to have it?

I too had a tree root problem in the sewer line. I ask the plumber with "ROTO ROOTER" what he reccomended after he cut through the roots with his power auger and he said to put rock salt in the sewer line ever so often and I do that plus what is mentioned above burying PVC pipe and pouring down copper sulfate crystals then hot water plus I use a foaming root killer......so far so good.
Beats a $3,000 sewer line replacement
And by the way copper sulfate crystals can be purchased through your local feed store or ACE hardware stores.

Is this something that you want to do along the length of the pipe in multiple locations, or will one insert work?

Any risk to doing this with a sewer line that's only 3 feet down? I'd hate to kill the grass over it, but the backups are getting ridiculous.

Where would one get that manual auger? And what is it called? Ive looked all over for one and not sure where i could find one or rent one from somewhere.