Best way to clear roots in plumbing before septic tank

[masraum]

We've been in a place with an old septic tank for a handful of years now. Way back in the first year or two, we had a clog one evening. I eventually crawled under the house with a 10' piece of PVC with one end cut into a point (well, 2 points). I removed the cap and used the PVC as a ram. After 3-4 rams I heard a noise like something breaking or tearing and the clog was cleared. I believe/assume that there were roots that had grown into the pipe and I cut through them with the PVC ram.



I think we have some new roots in the pipe because some things have slowed down during times of heavy use.

The problem is that we had some plumbing done on the bathroom and the plumber changed the cleanout pipe so it's no longer a straight shot, and there's limited space to get something in at the top (something flexible would be fine).

I am thinking that I may be able to get a slightly smaller (so it's more flexible) PVC "ram" in from the septic side to cut through the roots.

Other than buying a $200-300 powered auger with an end that cuts through them or paying a plumber to come out, is there another option?

[wdfifteen]

Rent a power drain snake with a root cutter head.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Rent a power drain snake with a root cutter head.

Yeah, those things would be perfect. I'd buy one if they weren't so expensive. I think the nearest place to rent one is 55 miles away, but that may end up being what we do.

[Gogar]

If you have a power washer you could try a jet head first but you're probably right about roots.

https://a.co/d/c13MfRs

[john70t]

Roots equal a break in the pipe or not properly glued. Yard leakage.
Our sump pump next to a lake made a nice skating rink once. Nearest tree was 100 feet away but it still created a 6ft strand inside.

You can rent a tracer and mark the path. Rent a ditch digger on both sides to cut the source of intrusion and block, but they will still grow underneath that. There are flushable chemicals which prevent growth but not sure how they affect material breakdown. Best thing is replacement with a straight shot.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by john70t

Roots equal a break in the pipe or not properly glued. Yard leakage.
Our sump pump next to a lake made a nice skating rink once. Nearest tree was 100 feet away but it still created a 6ft strand inside.

You can rent a tracer and mark the path. Rent a ditch digger on both sides to cut the source of intrusion and block, but they will still grow underneath that. There are flushable chemicals which prevent growth but not sure how they affect material breakdown. Best thing is replacement with a straight shot.

+1
Once roots are in the pipe they grow back quickly (and faster as they grow since sewage is fertilizer) and they will grow in diameter as well. Eventually you will have a cracked pipe. Do it right the first time so you won't be dealing with it again and again.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Gogar

If you have a power washer you could try a jet head first but you're probably right about roots.

https://a.co/d/c13MfRs

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's roots. There's a pecan tree, a crepe myrtle, and a fig all within 14-18' of where the roots are.

Originally Posted by john70t

Roots equal a break in the pipe or not properly glued. Yard leakage.
Our sump pump next to a lake made a nice skating rink once. Nearest tree was 100 feet away but it still created a 6ft strand inside.

You can rent a tracer and mark the path. Rent a ditch digger on both sides to cut the source of intrusion and block, but they will still grow underneath that. There are flushable chemicals which prevent growth but not sure how they affect material breakdown. Best thing is replacement with a straight shot.

I think it's in a straight section of pipe that's max, 8-10' long.

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

+1
Once roots are in the pipe they grow back quickly (and faster as they grow since sewage is fertilizer) and they will grow in diameter as well. Eventually you will have a cracked pipe. Do it right the first time so you won't be dealing with it again and again.

The first time that I cut through the roots was probably 3.5-4 years ago. I think we were OK, but then we've had super dry weather for the last 2 months which I think have caused the roots to seek out this old spot.

[Gogar]

If you're bored and wanna blow 20 or 30 bucks you could buy a camera for your phone and run it down there. I have this one and it's worth $25 anyway

https://www.amazon.com/Acoath-Adjustable-Waterproof-Inspection-Semi-Rigid/dp/B0DGFBCH38/ref=sr_1_14?crid=6JOA0URTT3MQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kCTvetbNufQVED5tp1M7XkfJit_KMvauK JzdYT2e5Xe-SNEoaK2KkF5NuzK7LrBxmI21w6u2MIy2zcY6IPMXTmB3OVZ3mL 7qwrd1z9m3OeJQNwi9ecgVJee4Y_Gc2WKUKVqtXtSCmHOkj0XF uEF9WYeiZZbPBw0XXx5Tm-BmvRpONLZeCiUYfDf1TT4j3kAFdXr9w2bmyD3LUHqn-yiPztvSF2EINwr-3BdjLbZmWjk.DYHi7I2vTbeyRoto_QkEfBX2xNqwjVlXYCaEjQ qQ_HM&dib_tag=se&keywords=endoscope%2Bcamera%2Bwith%2Blight&qid=1760814466&sprefix=endocscope%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-14&th=1

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by masraum

The first time that I cut through the roots was probably 3.5-4 years ago. I think we were OK, but then we've had super dry weather for the last 2 months which I think have caused the roots to seek out this old spot.

The next time will be 2-2.5 years. Then1-2 yrs....
Roots keep growing back toward the source of water and fertilizer and get thicker as they grow (just like a tree trunk or branch gets thicker as it gets older).

[Bill Douglas]

I had this situation, and it kept coming back. So I replaced it all with plastic. THEN the darn roots started growing into the join between the plastic and the old pipe and concrete septic tank. I got a medical bandage and soaked it in copper sulphate then wrapped it around the plastic to ceramic pipe join and no problems from that point on.

[KFC911]

If renting is that inconvenient ... and you can buy one for $300 .... I'd buy one.

Or mebbe just pay a plumber that much every 3 years

You could get the missus a Roto-Rooter for Christmas!

[Magyar Kiwi]

Hi
For a permanent repair suggest you dig up and replace the section of pipe with the hole the roots are entering thru.
If pipe is in poor condition consider replacing the complete section.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by john70t

Roots equal a break in the pipe or not properly glued. .

For some reason I have impression that he has an older home that could have clay tile. If that’s the case, the solution is either buy a root cutter and use it every year, or dig it up and replace it with plastic.

[Noah930]

My plumber recommended root destroyer crystals every 6 months. Can be bought for $20 at any Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

We lived in our house for 16 years. We had roots in our main sewer line. Probably from a magnolia tree on the sidewalk in front of our house. Our house (1938) had a sewer line made from 16" clay pipe sections put together like Lego pieces, so plenty of opportunity for root ingrowth. When we first bought our house, every 2 or 3 years we'd have a clog which would necessitate a plumber snaking the sewer line of roots, but that was way cheaper (1/10) than replacing the whole thing. The last time we had it done, the plumber recommended root destroyer crystals. The only sewer line clog we've had since then has been due to "flushable" body wipes, but none more due to roots. I also used it in an outdoor pool patio drain system (where I could see the roots) at my parents' house with good success.

[jyl]

I had a forty feet of old clay sewer line re-lined. The process is called Cured In Place Plastic (CIPP). The liner is (somehow) saturated with resin and unrolled into the line, then a balloon is (somehow) unrolled into the line and inflated, pressing the liner tight against the existing pipe. The balloon is withdraw and the liner cures.. In the sewerscope, it looks great! Smooth, seamless, sexy. I’ve never been so turned on by a sewer line before. They can send a tool down to cut openings for connections. Cost $8,000. I expect would be less in most areas. The bid to excavate and replace was $26,000 including closing the street. I’ll be doing my house’s sewer line next. Old, clay, sections separated.

[id10t]

Prior owner planted clumping bamboo right over where the big pipe exits the house on its way to the tank/drain field...

Took a few years to fully kill the bamboo and get rid of it (why bother clearing pipe if it will just regrow) and then had the whole thing gone over and re-done and cleared out as well as extending the drain field a bit.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Gogar

If you're bored and wanna blow 20 or 30 bucks you could buy a camera for your phone and run it down there. I have this one and it's worth $25 anyway

Very cool! And for $25, it would nearly be disposable after I ran it through the houses poop chute, LOL!

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I had this situation, and it kept coming back. So I replaced it all with plastic. THEN the darn roots started growing into the join between the plastic and the old pipe and concrete septic tank. I got a medical bandage and soaked it in copper sulphate then wrapped it around the plastic to ceramic pipe join and no problems from that point on.

Yeah, ours is PVC from ~1990 or so, I'm fairly certain. But good to know about a copper sulfate wrap to protect it from roots!

Originally Posted by KFC911

If renting is that inconvenient ... and you can buy one for $300 .... I'd buy one.

Or mebbe just pay a plumber that much every 3 years

You could get the missus a Roto-Rooter for Christmas!

That's what I'm leaning towards, calling a plumber. I just hate to rely on others.

Originally Posted by Magyar Kiwi

Hi
For a permanent repair suggest you dig up and replace the section of pipe with the hole the roots are entering thru.
If pipe is in poor condition consider replacing the complete section.
Hope this helps.
Cheers

It's 10-15' of PVC, so should be fairly easy to access.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

For some reason I have impression that he has an older home that could have clay tile. If that’s the case, the solution is either buy a root cutter and use it every year, or dig it up and replace it with plastic.

Yeah, I think all of the plumbing was replaced around 1990 so everything is PVC. THat's one of the nice things about this place. The house is old. I'm sure there wasn't plumbing or a bathroom originally, but after the original owners/builders died, I think it sat empty and then a family moved in around 1990 and replaced all of the wiring, HVAC, plumbing, windows, added insultation, etc... so I'm not having to deal with weird old plumbing or knob and tube wiring etc....

Originally Posted by Noah930

My plumber recommended root destroyer crystals every 6 months. Can be bought for $20 at any Home Depot/Lowes/etc.

We lived in our house for 16 years. We had roots in our main sewer line. Probably from a magnolia tree on the sidewalk in front of our house. Our house (1938) had a sewer line made from 16" clay pipe sections put together like Lego pieces, so plenty of opportunity for root ingrowth. When we first bought our house, every 2 or 3 years we'd have a clog which would necessitate a plumber snaking the sewer line of roots, but that was way cheaper (1/10) than replacing the whole thing. The last time we had it done, the plumber recommended root destroyer crystals. The only sewer line clog we've had since then has been due to "flushable" body wipes, but none more due to roots. I also used it in an outdoor pool patio drain system (where I could see the roots) at my parents' house with good success.

Since we're on a septic tank, I'm not sure that there's a root killing chemical that's bad for roots but wouldn't also be bad for the function of the septic tank.

Originally Posted by jyl

I had a forty feet of old clay sewer line re-lined. The process is called Cured In Place Plastic (CIPP). The liner is (somehow) saturated with resin and unrolled into the line, then a balloon is (somehow) unrolled into the line and inflated, pressing the liner tight against the existing pipe. The balloon is withdraw and the liner cures.. In the sewerscope, it looks great! Smooth, seamless, sexy. I’ve never been so turned on by a sewer line before. They can send a tool down to cut openings for connections. Cost $8,000. I expect would be less in most areas. The bid to excavate and replace was $26,000 including closing the street. I’ll be doing my house’s sewer line next. Old, clay, sections separated.

Wow! Crazy. It sounds cool, but thank goodness it's (clay pipe) not something that we have to worry about.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

Prior owner planted clumping bamboo right over where the big pipe exits the house on its way to the tank/drain field...

Took a few years to fully kill the bamboo and get rid of it (why bother clearing pipe if it will just regrow) and then had the whole thing gone over and re-done and cleared out as well as extending the drain field a bit.

Wow, yeah, I love bamboo, but I feel like bamboo over any part of your plumbing/septic would end up looking like Japanese tentacle r@pe!

[GH85Carrera]

At my old bachelor pad house, the sewer pipe was the old orangeburg pipe. I had two huge pecan trees that one year made 200 pounds of pecans.

Anyway those roots would get in the pipe and I had to call a plumber buddy to come cut them out every couple of years. I had the clean-out marked, and a very short standpipe in the back yard. Just uncap that, and down went his rooter. He would pull out a large clump of roots each time.

I would flush a couple of cups of rock salt just as I left for the day to go to work about once per month. That would slow down the growth of the roots. They always came back. The only real fix would be new pipe, but I was too broke back then for that.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by masraum

Wow, yeah, I love bamboo, but I feel like bamboo over any part of your plumbing/septic would end up looking like Japanese tentacle r@pe!

I got rid of so much... but I have so much more left, plus what I've let grow out off my property and into my a-hole neighbors easement/driveway. The PO's had bamboo planted up next to the house in 4 different spots, 3 types of bamboo, and none of it appropriate.

Almost all that I have left though is black bamboo... so at least it looks better (imo) than green/brown

I will never buy property with bamboo again unless it is a single clump of something BIG like buddah's belly and far away from house and any infrastructure.