Best method/Best company to remove tree root from sewer pipes

After our sewer backed up into the basement, we called DEP and a plumber. DEP said the next day that they flushed their lines “as a courtesy” but wouldn’t tell us whether there had been anything wrong in the first place. For our part, after a plumber did a quick snaking, he told us our sewer line had collapsed. We had a sewer guy come and snake a camera into our pipe. He confirmed that the line was not collapsed but it was infiltrated with the root of a large street tree. I don’t want to spend 6-12 grand on replacing the sewer line right now. What is the best way to clear out the roots, in your experience? High-pressure water jet or augur, or something else? And do you have any recommendations of sewer companies that do the job exceptionally well/honestly? And finally, how do we keep the roots from growing back? The tree is here to stay. We just want the roots to stay out of the pipe.

ROTFL

in Sewer 13 years and 11 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

miamitileinc | 9 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4843 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4832 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193931"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "miamitileinc"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BhSLV/HFaYeiYrTK5MPUuN.CWv73pD0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "miamitileinc"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "miamitileinc@outlook.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:59:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193931)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You be aware that using the reputable company name, they have the quality service and works they provides. And to get those right business you need to refer to this [http://eatmywords.com/services/consulting/](http://eatmywords.com/services/consulting/) and get the best business name that you deal with for your home fixes needs. Regards. Levy of [Alexandra Watkins](http://postimg.org/image/owmykhpm5/) Firm

brza021 | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4842 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4841 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179449"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "brza021"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BvQvSoaDgV/rMX2DUx0wxVVLGDBF5q."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "brza021"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "bkogel21@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/brza021/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:41:10"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "brza021"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179449)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Unfortunately if a root enters your sewer pipe it means you have a old clay sewer line and the issue will only get worst.  These days companies use Extra Heavy Cast Iron pipe, it is close to an impossibility for a tree root to break this material. I ended up paying a fortune to clean the line every 2-3 months until I ended up replacing the sewer line, it was costly but i have not had any issues for a long time!  I used Harris Water Main and Sewer in Brooklyn, company was very professional and got the job done quickly!!

denton | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4838 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4844 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "6430"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSAsa2zDu3dNJzZDLdlOs804lQec9t."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "denton@speakeasy.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/denton/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6430)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Root-X

nf85 | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4843 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4845 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "97592"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "nf85"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTONxU3zv7ZswAHf4wQNqbCQJGQ.tL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "nf85"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "fabens@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(19) "/forums/users/nf85/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:32:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "nf85"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(97592)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I just had Python Drains out last week, based on multiple recommendations on the (old) forum. We just bought a house with several trees nearby and I didn’t have any idea when the drain had last been checked, so I asked them to take a look (again, based on great advice here–never would have occurred to me). Anyway, the guy was great. He checked all the drains and found they were running relatively well, so recommended leaving well enough alone there. Then he checked the main sewer line and pulled out a ton of roots. He guessed that there are two breaks in the line but can’t know for sure without using the camera, which I’ll do later. In any case, he recommended checking/clearing the line every 2-3 years if you have trees nearby, and every 6 months if you know you have a fracture–once the roots are in, he says they’ll keep coming. Between visits, he recommended using Root Killer (which you can get at Loews or Amazon) periodically. None of this means we won’t need to replace the line at some point; it just buys time. Anyway, he was a pleasure to deal with, informative, on time, and came in at around $300\. When I do the camera that will be another 400 or so. Good luck!

Arkady | 13 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4842 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4846 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Roto-Rooter or equivalent should do the job. Then there’s a chemical you’re supposed to put down once or twice a year – I forget what it’s called but you can Google it – root cleaner.