Tree roots in my sewer drain.

[bobber head]

I have managed to keep this drain flowing for several years now - but the "job" is turning into a "battle".<br /><br />Heres the rub: ceramic, 100 years old, smack downtown: digging it out would cost more then the buildings worth.<br /><br />Blue crystals and misc drain cleaners have been my weapons of choice, to date. Anyone know a few new tricks...ever had any success?<br /><br />I know the truth to be "Roots in the drain? Forget it, it's over". However I hope to eek by for another few years.<br /><br />Thanks Bobber head.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Bobberhead, have you tried RootX? There is RootX, then there is mechanical cutting. Is it ceramic pipe of tiled? <br /> http://www.rootx.com/home.html

 

[Knoxes]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

I'm not sure if this can be done on ceramic, but I've used (2 times now) a drain router. I don't know if you're familar with these, but it's a half inch 50 ft (or longer) snake with a half hp motor. The end has a cutting bit that will route out the pipe. Any plumber will know what this is and you should be able to rent it anywhere. It's mostly self feeding but may need an occasional push - careful here - I caught a heavy duty rubber glove in it and broke 2 fingers. I used it in the clean-out just outside my house and I know it'll take out some (maybe not all) roots.

 

[dpropson]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Hey Bobber Head,<br /><br />The family and I live in an old house and we have had the same problem. We call a guy, once a year, and he snakes it for us. I don't know what you have in your area, but if you can, call a small outfit over a large, commercial plumbing company. It should not cost you much and will keep you "flowing" for a long time. Also, poop outside whenever possible.<br /><br />Dennis

 

[BassMan283]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Don't want to rain on anybody's shady, but this sounds like a job for the pros. Kind of like my brother (a master carpenter) says about plumbing: "Plumbing is really pretty simple, but only a plumber can do it."

 

[bobber head]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Spent the day with my snake.<br />Then called the people at ROOTX.<br />I go see then in the morning with my high hopes tagging along for the ride.<br /><br />The actual deliemma stems from having built the "octipus" (all the lines tying together in one spot)when I first bought this place. <br />There was a lead lined hole in the floor. Period.<br />At that time, I thought a "clean out" was a certain task that plumbers performed.<br /><br />Everything on the first floor ties into this line, two sinks, a bath, the clothes washer, and of course a toilet. I will not post the actual number of "T's" and elbows I used (as the shame would be fatal) and of course All under a nice new wood floor. <br /><br />I am simply hoping to postpone tearing the floor up, sawing out the pad and trenching down the tree lined alley, for as long as I can.<br /><br />Bobber head<br /><br />PS.<br />Last year we pooped in the RV when the sewer line backed up and on the weekend drive out to the lake we made a quick stop at the dump station to "flush" before hitting our fishing hole. Kind of funny now, in hindsight: but I don't want to have to do it again this year.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

I know how you feel we have been having septic problems because of the recent amount of rain and a lot of extra guests. I know what unspeakable chores await me when the water table goes down enough so I can dig some and run a hand rooter through the cleanout but if i uncap it now the septic will backflow and the hole around the cleanout will fill with unspeakable horriblness. and most likely it will get upon my person and screw with my CHI. God just the thought I must go meditate for a while and regain my balance and harmony.

 

[bobber head]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Almost home from a winter fishing trip in '95, and I remember I didn't drain the RV tank. I knew the tank was full and had been that way quiet some time.<br />My girlfriend asked me not to but I pulled into a scenic over look on the edge of town. I look over the edge into the darkness and could just see tree tops and the rivers edge twinkling in the moon light, maybe 20 feet down below.<br />I figure it all goes to the river anyway what's a few more gallons? 30 gallons to be exact.<br />I throw the hose line over the edge, pull the lever, and send a great gush of rank smelling waste on it's happy way.<br />A moment later there was a loud splashing sound below followed by what sounded like human voices suddenly being woken up which turned to the sound of large wounded creatures screaming and crashing off through the trees.<br />My girlfriend simply stood there shaking her head at me: didn't say another word the rest of the way home.<br />Next weekend it got the best of me and I went back, girlfriend in tow, to see what was what in the daylight.<br />It was a homeless camp. Two sleeping bags a few feet away from eachother and dead center of that was my "Bulls Eye". Everything in the camp was splattered and the smell was gaggingly horrid. <br />I looked back at my girlfriend who had stopped at the splatter edge and had her mouth and nose covered with a hand. I thought she was going to cry.<br />I was mortified myself until I placed myself in their shoes: sleeping there quietly under the stars and suddenly being bombed with 30 gallons of turds, running off into in trees, and then what? Their homeless, they don't have clean clothes to put on, they don't have a shower, it's winter the river is ice cold, they didn't even have a place to sleep now. It was then that I started laughing really hard but my girlfriend started laughing even harder.

 

[pmueller]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

bobber, sounds like something for a pro to me as well. However, check out "plbg.com". It's a forum of plumbing pros that answer DIY questions. They'll probably advise a pro, but at least they can answer the ceramic questions and give some options. Best of luck.

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Bobberhead,<br /><br />Have you tried the water softner tablets, put them in a butter tub (slits in the side)in the toilet tank, will last about a month. This keeps roots and such out of the drains, as it is a salt.

 

[mako]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

My dad had his drain to the street totally blocked in March. I went over and snaked it and got about 8 feet. I had a plumber friend look at it and he said the pipe is totally blocked and needs to be dug up and replaced. I decided to do it myself. I rented a small backhoe and bought the needed pipes for a grand total of $250.00. His estimates for the job were about $1000.00. It really was pretty easy to do but took me about all day to complete. He had cast iron pipes that were completely broken and caved in.

 

[bobber head]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Sometimes I wish I lived in a normal house.<br /><br />I managed to kill my snake today. Somehow got a kink down in the pipe and spent an hour turning it back out of there, 6" of knotted line at a time. I got the big bad ball of roots though. It's a BOY!<br /><br />While recovering from that, I sat out back, thinking about digging up the line. 6' between our buildings and three big Hackle Berry trees (35' tall) all right in the same spot. (Guess we know why those trees do so well in the summer, eh?) I really don't want to dig that out.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I like the "salt bucket" idea as an aux maintence to the rootx, which should kick in in about 12 weeks. That RootX is only slightly cheaper then Cocaine I'll keep my fingers crossed until I break down and grab the shovel.<br /><br />Thanks guys.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

Hey bobber head, glad it wasn't twins <br /><br />My parents used to have this problem. Started with small hand snakes, worked up to big motor driven drill/cutter snake the city has and finally had to be replaced. From first problem to final replacement was maybe 15 years with 1 or 2 cleanouts a year. Funny thing, it would always "clog up" the Thur or Fri before my sister came to visit for a weekend.<br /><br />Wish you luck with it...Ain't nothin worse than dealing with sewage.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Tree roots in my sewer drain.

You are done. Of course, there are root killers ,but they only kill the root, leaving it in the line.They can take months to decompose. And by that time, guess what grew back? The blue crystals are copper sulfate (crystalized copper rust).Copper rust kills any vegitation the comes into contact with it. But after it goes down the drain, it's down the drain. An old plummer's (and landscaper's) trick is to take strips of copper and make a barrier out of it...Problem there is the wieght price of copper.<br />There is a new technology out called "Pipe-bursting". This is a technique that runs a poly pipe (like that used now for gas lines), and replace the old pipe without digging it up.<br />The pipe comes on a huge roll,or in 20ft lengths.The latter is what is used in residential 4" and 6" lines.<br />The equipment goes down the existing line, breaking it up as it goes, and dragging the poly pipe behind it. It is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as digging tru all those roots (probably---I'll explain later).<br />I've only seen it done once, and it werkd like a charm.<br /><br />Now, back to cost. Call a local plummer and ask for a free estimate on line replacement VS pipe bursting. You may find it within budget, and maybee not.<br />It all depends on length, depth, obstructions (trees,roots,other utilities ect), and pipe diameter (probably 4")<br />He may determine that "spot repair" would be cheapest, if the roots are only growing into the pipe in a couple places. There are also small cameras he can use to see the condition of the line, so ask if he has one, or knows of anyone local who has..If not,let me know. I'm looking for a nice northern town to "retire" to --this time next year(a werkin retirement).<br /><br /> This will save you many bucks, again, if it's an isolated intrusion.<br />Good luck. If there is anything I can do for you long-distance, let me know. I've had lotsa experiance with it.