How to Eliminate Roots in Sewer Pipes

Roots will grow in search of water 24 hours a day. The tiniest tendrils will work their way into cracks in old sewer pipes and slowly expand as they grow, widening the space of the original crack. New tendrils will find the larger crack and grow longer in the sewer pipe as the plant finds the nutrients from the sewer, clogging the line. Of course, removing trees from the area within 100 feet of the sewer lines will help the most in the end, but the problem can be treated in other ways.

Things You'll Need

• Snake with auger
• Chain saw
• Drain cleaner with foaming agent that contains Dichlobenil

Instructions

1. Feed the head of the snake with an auger head into the drain pipe closest to the suspected roots and then turn it on. Push the snake into the drain slowly until there is no resistance. The snake will chop up roots.

2. Apply a foaming agent that contains Dichlobenil to coat the roots with the herbicide, killing them in the process. This type of clog breaker works by foaming on contact with water, coating the roots and causing them to rot and break apart. Pour it into the drain and then pour in the manufacturer's specified amount of water.

3. Repeat the process of snaking and foaming every three months in the summer until the roots stop growing in the sewer pipes and the plant is killed above ground. Remove the dead plant or tree by cutting it down to soil level with a chain saw..

Tips & Warnings

• Snaking only removes the clog in the pipe. Since the remaining roots are still alive, they will grow back quickly and you might have to repeat this process within two to four months.

References

• Lowe's Commercial Services: 5 Steps to Dealing with Invasive Tree Roots

Resources

• RootX: Kill pipeline roots---avoid costly repairs