Clogged Sewer Line
We have a 2-family, and last year in January, we had a clogged main sewer line. The plumber snaked it outward and found some wipes, hair, fat, the usual cocktail. Now, a year and one month later, it happened again. This time, the plumber snaked it and removed a fistful of roots.
What I find interesting is that during the five years prior to the first incident, it never happened. What did happen in the summer before the first incident, though, was that our roofer suggested to reroute the leader from the roof deep into the backyard to address another issue. We followed his suggestion, the backyard is absorbing the storm waters fine and we didn’t even have an issue during Ida. Now, could it be that the push of storm water through the line used to clean it out the sewer line well enough that nothing ever accumulated? Or just coincidence? And how serious is the root issue? Very helpful for any insight.
casabrooklyn
in General Discussion 3 years and 3 months ago
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15 replies
Guest User | 3 years and 2 months ago
Agreed, jetting sewer lines can be helpful, as well as snaking. Verifying issues with cameras is good too. Neither of these come at small expense, and they can further break old deteriorated and brittle pipes to make matters worse. Roebic drain cleaners (especially the bacterial formulas) are a nice for now solution that come with a plumber labor free price tag
stickerhappy | 3 years and 2 months ago
Chris, what does a jetting cost? And jetting with camera?
lkrshacmzcy | 3 years and 2 months ago
Before you apply any of these products, make sure the line is actually cleared. What I see a lot of:
Clients have a clog. Get the line “snaked.” Use product X. Complain when the problem comes back.
When you have Roots or Grease, you should have the line Jetted. It is a longer process but is VERY thorough. Then have the line inspected with a camera to show you it is completely clear. No one can tell you a line is clear without a camera inspection; they are assuming. For reference, a standard snaking has a 24 Hour Warranty for us…a Snaking or Jetting with a camera has a full 365 Day warranty.
lkrshacmzcy | 3 years and 2 months ago
Before you apply any of these products, make sure the line is actually cleared. What I see a lot of:
Clients have a clog. Get the line “snaked.” Use product X. Complain when the problem comes back.
When you have Roots or Grease, you should have the line Jetted. It is a longer process but is VERY thorough. Then have the line inspected with a camera to show you it is completely clear. No one can tell you a line is clear without a camera inspection; they are assuming. For reference, a standard snaking has a 24 Hour Warranty for us…a Snaking or Jetting with a camera has a full 365 Day warranty.
igorbalmeida | 3 years and 2 months ago
Thank you for your reply @ Jeremy. That was the one I ended up buying.
Guest User | 3 years and 2 months ago
@lookingforanswers I use the Roebic K-97 regularly. I used to manage a mixed used building with a cesspool. For that restaurant grease I think we used the K-47 successfully if we supplied it about every two months. I recommend err on applying too often, then start spacing out your applications if it works until you can find the right schedule to avoid backups without a plumber i.e. once per week > biweekly > monthly > bimonthly > quarterly
cobblehillhome | 3 years and 3 months ago
We had to root our sewer line in December, also found tree roots. Like Bob, we’re flushing copper sulfate down, but who knows if it’s helping.
I want to say that tree roots will naturally go towards nutrients they’re getting from the waste. I think it’s a coincidence / the tree is growing and the roots finally broke through a crack in the pipe.
cobblehillhome | 3 years and 3 months ago
We had to root our sewer line in December, also found tree roots. Like Bob, we’re flushing copper sulfate down, but who knows if it’s helping.
I want to say that tree roots will naturally go towards nutrients they’re getting from the waste. I think it’s a coincidence / the tree is growing and the roots finally broke through a crack in the pipe.
colonialrevival | 3 years and 3 months ago
If roots are continuing to come into your line, it means the line is compromised either at a joint or elsewhere. Pretty common for how old these houses are.
RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 3 months ago
We would have to get our sewer line cleaned out every couple of years because of tree root infiltration, when we had a large silver maple in front of our house. I was advised to flush copper sulfate down the lowest toilet to kill roots in the pipe, but I don’t think that did much. The honey locust that replaced the maple several years ago doesn’t create the same problem.
ceci | 3 years and 3 months ago
Thanks for sharing!!!
igorbalmeida | 3 years and 3 months ago
I would like to buy this product by Roebic. Which version of this product do you recommend ? I see a couple of versions such as K-77 and FRK-12. Thank you.
Guest User | 3 years and 3 months ago
I use a product called Main Line from Roebic brand once a month to clear out gradual build ups in rough buried main drain pipes to prevent the need for snaking. $10 or less a month is better than paying plumber every so often if it works out
igorbalmeida | 3 years and 3 months ago
I would say I have to clean my line every year its such a headache. It is good to have the downspouts rerouted I wish I had that option. I had several drain cleaning companies come and put a hose at the end of the line to hydrojet it. Its something anyone could do as long as you watch how the water is moving through the system. It might backup if there is a clog. If you do that when the weather is warmer not in the winter I think that should keep things moving.
casabrooklyn | 3 years and 3 months ago
*Very thankful for any insight.