Roots in the sewage line.

oHIo · 01-05-2010, 10:50 PM

I have roots in my sewage line. My local plumber referred me to another plumbing service that could possibly help. What should it cost me to get the roots removed, and is there any way short of killing everything in my lawn that I can do to keep it from happening again>

**Chris** · 01-05-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oHIo

I have roots in my sewage line. My local plumber referred me to another plumbing service that could possibly help. What should it cost me to get the roots removed, and is there any way short of killing everything in my lawn that I can do to keep it from happening again>

A roto rooter type company can come out and they have a tool that will cut them out of the existing line but the only way to gaurantee they wont ever come back is to install a new line.

'Cause · 01-06-2010, 12:15 AM

How old is the property, how long have you been in it?

It could be as simple as routing out as Chris said or...

...worst case the drain pipe if clay could be compromised allowing roots to get in.

Most reputable roto-rooting type firms could video the drain line to see if the pipe is damaged.

Often in older installations of clay type pipe the pipe will separate or could be 'crushed' by compaction. Have you a low spot in the yard where the waste leaves the house and routes to the street/Main?

Coonash · 01-06-2010, 01:56 AM

I rent a machine about once a year from a local hardware store to auger the roots out of my drain pipe. It's a lot cheaper than calling a plumber.

TheMightyGoat · 01-06-2010, 04:26 AM

There is such a thing as a drain chemical that is designed to clear roots from the main line. Whether it works, I couldn't tell you. But it might be worth a try before hiring a plumber or renting power equipment.

**hcj** · 01-06-2010, 06:43 PM

The cost will depend on how long it takes to clear the line, and you cannot tell that ahead of time.

**Nailer341** · 01-06-2010, 08:10 PM

This can be a real pain in the ass and in most cases you will eventually do a repair or replace the line.

I rooted mine out twice a year for about 6 years until there was enough separation that it wasn't going to do any more.

At that point a camera went down the cleanout and pointed out exact locations of separations of the clay pipe.

Mine was in the city easement and under the street for which the city wouldnt pay a dime.

I had the repair done from the curb face to the cleanout with ABS. There are products available to sleeve the inside of the pipe after rooting it, but in my research I have found that it is a temporary band-aid.

The roots could be coming from a long distance away, and are hell to deal with unless you just get in there and replace the damaged pipe.

**Chris** · 01-06-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nailer341

This can be a real pain in the ass and in most cases you will eventually do a repair or replace the line.

I rooted mine out twice a year for about 6 years until there was enough separation that it wasn't going to do any more.

At that point a camera went down the cleanout and pointed out exact locations of separations of the clay pipe.

Mine was in the city easement and under the street for which the city wouldnt pay a dime.

I had the repair done from the curb face to the cleanout with ABS. There are products available to sleeve the inside of the pipe after rooting it, but in my research I have found that it is a temporary band-aid.

The roots could be coming from a long distance away, and are hell to deal with unless you just get in there and replace the damaged pipe.

Are you in LA county? I did a job out there and couldn't believe they made the home owner responsible for their line. In most areas the district will take care of it up to the cleanout on the property line.

**Nailer341** · 01-06-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Are you in LA county? I did a job out there and couldn't believe they made the home owner responsible for their line. In most areas the district will take care of it up to the cleanout on the property line.

I am in LA county. (Lakewood) I was going to be held responsible for the street closure, repairs, and the whole mess. That is why I stopped at the curb face.

It is their damn tree in their damn easement doing the damage.

**Chris** · 01-06-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nailer341

I am in LA county. (Lakewood) I was going to be held responsible for the street closure, repairs, and the whole mess. That is why I stopped at the curb face.

It is their damn tree in their damn easement doing the damage.

I ran into the exact same thing, this was for a buddies grandmother and the city tree was crushing the pipe and not only did they want us to do it we had to hire a contractor from there approved list. I am a Class A general Engineering contractor but I was not on there list and they said it would be months before I could get on that list. It's a scam if you ask me.