Root removal from sewer main

[chymer]

Is there any effective products on the market to prevent roots from obstructing sewer mains thus causing sewer back-ups that can potentially lead to overflows. Our present "fix" is to pressure clean, televise, and root cut the problem area which is fairly expensive.

 

[dicksewerrat]

Each time you cut the roots, you are encouraging them to grow more quickly. This is the same as trimming a plant. There are at least two good chemical root control agents on the market. One is called Root-X. Go to the trenchlessonline web site. they both advertise there.

 

[chymer]

Thanks for the info. I've heard of root-x but was told by the contractor that cleans our lines that it didn't work.Imagine that. Would the velosity of the water inhibit the root-x from working? Is there a contact time for the chemical to be effective?

 

[KRSServices]

All products are only a temporary fix. We had a root cutting program in our community in the spring and fall. The best method was to remove the offending tree in the boulevard, short of replacement of the sewer mains, which we did also. Removal of the offending trees, particularly the deep rooting ones, were a nasty political fight with frontage homeowners and "tree-huggers". One even slapped us with a lawsuit (which was dismissed by the judge).

We would use a root cutting system in tandem with a jet rodder to free the mains, but within months the "beaver pelts" would return with a vengance. Most of our pipe was vct and in need of replacement.

KRS Services

http://www.krs-services.com

 

[dicksewerrat]

All the solutions to getting roots out of a mainline are temporary. You will have to treat the main with chemicals every 3-5 years. Cut the roots every year. Cutting down the tree will work after about 3 years. That is the time it takes for the roots to die. But the tree huggers may have the guy that starts cutting trees fired before any results are seen. The chemical treatment is still the best solution in the long run.

 

[macmil]

Having experienced several sewer back-ups because of roots from my neighbours tree, I can testify that replacing the offending line to the main works. The City took a little prodding to do it (the location was outside my property line) and were prepared to do chemical treatments and cutting but I was able to convince them that the replacement was in all of our best long term interests. They agreed that chemical treatments, and cutting, only provided temporary relief. My experience with some some private contractors, confirmed by comments from neighbours and City personnel, is that the contractor does a quick job, but sometime uses a cutter that is somewhat smaller than the i.d. of the pipe, leaving some of the roots inside, thereby reducing the time interval till the next (nasty) occurrence
Sewer back-ups are high on my list of least favourite events.
mac