Tree roots in OLD sewer line and chemical treatments -- good idea?

Our sewer line backed up and tree roots were discovered inside it. The sewer company recommended using a chemical treatment to dissolve roots — but i’m concerned that the sewer line might be very, very old (clay??) and could deteriorate even more during/because of treatment. Should we hire someone to look at the line with a camera before doing the treatment? Are there better chemical treatments for old pipes vs new? We realize we will need to replace the line sooner rather than later, but don’t want to make the situation worse in the meantime. Any experience out there? Many thanks.

hbranty

in Sewer 11 years and 3 months ago

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sbl1sbl | 9 years and 9 months ago

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I would like the people in this thread to contact me at sbleboff@gmail.com. I am in discussions with lawyers about the city’s potential responsibility for the costs to homeowners of tree roots from city trees. Surprisingly, this issue seems never to have been litigated and the trend of the law appears to be very much in favor of this being on the city.

lisamaza | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I highly recommend you purchase the water and sewer insurance offered by DEP/AWR. We had to replace our sewer line due to a collapsed pipe and they covered everything. As for the tree roots, maybe consider a water jet. It’s expensive (about $500) but the jet is strong enough to cut through roots. Then use root killer to prevent them from growing back.

thetinkerswagon | 11 years and 3 months ago

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I would read what others say here, but working with chemicals all the time, I will say that not all chemicals react with all substances. a chemical may react with the tree root but may do nothing to clay pipe. Probably best to see what is in the product you intend to use and check those chemicals out by reading about them. You can call the manufacturers and request an MSDS and they will fax you one (check on line as well on the manufacturers website). The MSDS (material safety data sheet) will detail the contents. You are right to move with caution though. a number of years ago I poured some pretty heavy drain cleaner down and drain and it made swiss cheese out of an old iron pipe. Steve

dorkofwindsor | 11 years and 3 months ago

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totally normal. usually where your iron sewer pipe meets the clay city pipe near the street, tree roots infiltrate the cracks to drink the water. This is why there are so many thriving sewer and drain companies (aka root rooters). When you have a serious blockage you usually need it snaked with the big machine. After that for regular maintenance copper sulfate is historically what has been used. Pour it in the trap hole closest to the street before you go to bed after done with all running water, flush toilet once to give it a push and go to sleep. Once every couple months should do it. Home depot has it under the brand name Zep Root Kill in aisle 21 for about $14\.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 3 months ago

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Pipe Man is supposedly the best for new sewer pipes. Get an extimate and weigh that against the cost of maybe having it routed out every 5 years or so. Don’t know about the chemicals as to how well they work. Dissolve roots? Not very likely. Hurt pipes? Not likely either.

Arkady | 11 years and 3 months ago

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What chemical was recommended? I’ve heard of several. I don’t think they’d damage the pipe. I’m told that the presence of roots means that there’s a breach of some kind but putting in a new one would be very costly.