How to clear roots from drain pipes

You may not imagine it, but tree roots can harm your drain pipes if they get into them. They can cause a clog, and as a result of the damage, you will need to start looking for a way to clear the roots from the drain pipes. Well, you’re at the right source for an answer.

Here, you can learn how tree roots get into sewer lines, signs of root growth, and ideas for clearing tree roots from drains. This article also considers steps to prevent tree root problems, drain cleaning options, and how plumbing experts can help. Continue reading for more!

How tree roots get into sewer lines

Drain pipes are typically protected from tree roots in most cases. However, you can have loose joints, pipes and fittings over time. Clay pipes can also have little fractures. Thus, tree roots penetrate sewer lines through these tiny cracks or openings and cause tree root blockages in your drain pipes.

Furthermore, water and nutrients passing through your sewage lines can attract tree roots. As a result, the tree root systems will have extensive growth opportunities. The thing is that tree roots can impact your sewage lines if they are around three metres (ten feet or more) from the sewage lines. They can be so small that they go through gaps in drain pipes and then grow bigger to expand such gaps.

Signs of root growth in drain pipes

You can use certain warning signs to identify the presence of roots in sewer line pipes. This is to act early and avoid further tree root damage. The signs that you have tree roots present in your sewer line pipe include the following:

• Gurgling sounds when you flush.
• Slowly draining tubs, sinks, and toilets.
• Foul or unpleasant drain odours.
• Soil sinkages around sewage pipes due to added moisture.
• Lushly green tree parts.
  

Home ideas for clearing roots from drain pipes

There is no one cut-and-dried solution for removing roots from blocked drains. It all depends on the extent of the damage. You should note that in many cases, roots grow back through sewer pipes after a few months.

Here are some expert home ideas that you can use to remove tree roots from drain pipes.

Rock salt (sodium chloride)

This is a temporary fix for root invasion:

• Get a kilo of rock salt from your local hardware store and pour it into the toilet. 
• Pour in a bucket of water.
• Repeat this process four to five times.
• Do not flush any house toilets until the lunch period of the next day.
• This method will dry out tree roots, and they’ll ultimately rot away.
  

Weed killer and dishwashing liquid

• Be sure to confirm that the type of weed killer can be used on sewer pipes. Only use biodegradable products.
• Mix 800 ml of weed killer with around 400 ml of dishwashing liquid and let it stand for a few hours. This will allow the contents to bond.
• Wait till night time to pour into the toilet and flush thoroughly.
• Do not flush any house toilets until around midday the next day.
• Note that the mixture may coat and kill the tree roots and affect the tree. As such, you should decide beforehand if you want to sacrifice the tree.
  

Commercial products

Commercial products are effective at killing present tree roots but may be unable to prevent the entry of tree roots into sewer lines in the future. Consequently, you may have to keep using this fix.

Chemical root removers

Special chemicals can help you kill roots and prevent them from damaging your drain. A layer of poison is created in the soil, killing the roots before they can grow into your drain. You can use other chemicals to resolve blocked drains by dissolving the roots.

Moreover, some chemical tree root removal methods can prevent invasion from growing roots from above.

Copper sulphate

You can get copper sulphate from home improvement stores. It is an organic herbicide that can destroy tiny tree roots and fibres in sewer pipes. Flush half a cup of the blue crystals down the toilet. However, take note that copper sulphate is unsuitable for septic systems.

Sulphuric acid

Some people consider using sulphuric acid a good remedy for removing tree roots. However, others advise against it because of the health effects on sewer networks. It would be best to use full PPE when using sulphuric acid, as it is highly hazardous. Also, confirm its impact on your pipes from your plumber.

Foaming root killers

You can prevent root regrowth using foaming root killers. They are not only gentler on pipes but also prevent root regrowth. These tree root killers act as a root-killing herbicide that leaves a residue that prevents the future growth of new roots in pipes.

Permanent tree root solutions

You may need permanent solutions for tree root intrusions in your drain pipes. Simply call on plumbing experts to help you remove roots from your drains. They have powerful equipment for drain cleaning and removal of tree roots.

Pipe inspections

Professionals can use a pipe inspection camera to check your sewer lines and locate the root invasion. Then, they can confirm blocked drains and implement a strategy for removing the roots.

Mechanical augers or rooters

Mechanical augers cut off roots that form a blockage in sewer systems. After that, the plumbing experts can flush the pipes.

Hydro-jets

These high-pressure water jets remove pipe blockages by spraying water at high pressure (around 4000 psi). This powerful pressure destroys tree roots and is an effective way of removing roots from your drain pipes. It is also suitable for unblocking drains and sewer systems.

How to repair and replace drain pipes

The next stage after tree root removal from sewer lines is to repair compromised pipes. This helps avoid future root problems. A preventive pipe sleeve is fitted or used to substitute the pipe. You may also have to upgrade clay pipes with modern materials like PVC.

Steps to prevent tree root problems

You can avoid tree root problems by undertaking the proper precautions. This is a more cost-effective option than having to fix tree root problems.

• You could first identify the path of sewer lines on your property before planting any new trees.
• You could hire a before you dig service to identify areas for tree planting that will not cause sewage line infiltrations in future.
• Planting bigger trees at least 3 metres or 10 feet away is wise.
• You should choose slow-growing plants or trees with non-aggressive root systems if you must plant trees.

Other options for preventing tree roots from getting into your sewer lines include the following:

• Cutting down the offending tree.
• Poisoning the tree.
• Redirecting waste and water lines up to 20 metres from the tree.
  

Using pipe relining

Composite resin technology can be used in pipe repairs and doesn’t require digging. This pipe relining or trenchless technique involves enhancing synthetic liners with composite resins and positioning them over defective pipe portions. The resin is hardened after that, resulting in a strong, new pipe within the old one.

A CCTV camera is usually used to inspect the drain pipes for holes and breaks. After the pipe relining, the CCTV drain camera confirms the pipe is operational. Interestingly, this pipe replacement technique prevents future tree root invasions and lasts up to 50 years.

Drain cleaning options

Drain cleaning is most often the first step that plumbing repair experts take. They may do this before a camera inspection; however, drain cleaning can sometimes solve the tree root problem.

Should you work on sewer pipes?

You may decide to do DIY root-clearing solutions like digging up stormwater drains, but you may not have the experience to replace broken pipes. Besides, it may not be legal to do work on sewer pipes by yourself. Local regulations may require you to hire a drain repair technician or plumbing repair expert with the necessary equipment for identifying and removing the roots.

Services of plumbing companies

Knowing there is handy help when you need it can be a relief. You can take advantage of the services of a professional plumbing company to solve drain and plumbing issues. Here are some of the services they can help you with:

• They can use drain camera inspections to troubleshoot your drain lines.
• Their sewer line specialists have experience in killing tree roots in sewer pipes.
• They can even stop tree roots from getting into your sewer.
• You can invite them for pipe inspections for leaking pipes.
• They have the right equipment to resolve tree root blockages, such as root cutters and hydro jetting.
• You can call on them for sewer pipe repairs and general plumbing issues such as leaking taps.
  

Plumbing experts can help with roots in drains

After reading these tips on how to get rid of roots in sewer lines, you now know more about how to clear roots from drain pipes. However, the process can be a headache. Plumbing experts can help in clearing tree roots from drains. That is why you should call them for your plumbing requirements, including sewage services and drain unblocking.