Got Roots! Plumbing is Fun

[stevej37]

^^^
A true professional plumber.
No reason (in his mind) to be concerned. He will prob outlive both of us.

[pmax]

Dis the season ...

just unclogged the main with a 50ft auger. Yeah, bathtub backed up and all, fun.

Watch out for the nasty spider in the outlet, no kidding.

[Tidybuoy]

For the record, I wore gloves 99% of the time. You would never be able to grab that spinning snake without gloves. However, when the roots came out with the end of the snake, I had to remove my gloves to pull the small roots out of the snake spring (needed to be able to pinch and grab). Then snapped a quick photo before washing my hands. And, I did wash my hands a few times over.

[pmax]

Used this manual auger. Worked surprising well on the mains.



Not sure it was roots, probably just overloaded with holiday stuffage !

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

And, I did wash my hands a few times over.

Yes, but were you wearing a mask?

[sammyg2]

I got a similar problem but it's with a rain water drain from my back patio to the curb, clogged with roots. Tried snaking it but no joy.


Has anyone ever tried that copper sulfate stuff?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

FYI: tree roots grow in diameter as they grow into the pipe. They can also wrap around a pipe and crush it. Eventually you'll be replacing the line.

This is why I added a rider to my homeowners.

Around here we are responsible for the sewer line all the way to the middle of the street.

Have had 3 neighbors recently have to go digging.

Anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 and that was without getting into the street.

Our developer in their infinite wisdom planted Live Oaks on the grass strip between the sidewalk and street.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Has anyone ever tried that copper sulfate stuff?

Copper sulfate works but you will still have to get the roots removed first. It keeps the roots away but won't get rid of the stuff that's already in there.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I got a similar problem but it's with a rain water drain from my back patio to the curb, clogged with roots. Tried snaking it but no joy.


Has anyone ever tried that copper sulfate stuff?

I did a job like that for a friend. Snaked it from the street and from the patio drain. The blockage was a ficus tree planted squarely over the soil pipe. I could get it to drain for about one winter of SoCal rain (which is 20" in a good year). He loves that tree so the problem still exists.