If you’ve ever read our blog posts, you know we’ve covered how to snake a drain. Unfortunately, you’re limited when it comes to big-box store snakes. They’re only so long. If you’re stumped (pun intended) about where a clog is, you may need to look outside of the house. Have you been smelling a swampy or sulfur stench that doesn’t seem to go away? If so, we have some bad news. Tree roots in the sewer line are a common issue that many people don’t know how to deal with. Keep on reading to find out how to kill those invasive and destructive roots.
How To Kill Roots In The Sewer Line
What do all roots have in common? They love water. Underground pipes that develop cracks or holes release water droplets or vapor into the surrounding soil. In search of moisture, tree roots grow toward these leaks. Once the roots enter the pipe, they will quickly take over. If left untreated, tree roots will absolutely destroy pipes and bust them from the inside out. In addition, the roots grow in a spider web fashion that will create a significant clog, so you need to deal with them before they become a problem.
Rock Salt
The first way to kill these roots that may be growing in your sewer line is to pour rock salt into the toilet. We suggest pouring at least half a pound of rock salt down the toilet and flushing it. By the end of the process, you want to have flushed nearly 2 pounds of salt down the toilet. Before you pour the salt down the toilet, try breaking up the rocks so they’re not so big because they could make the clog worse. The salt is poisonous to plants, and it dries out otherwise moist roots.
Root Killer
There are foaming root killers out there that are a safer option than salt. Root killers contain strong herbicides that kill roots and prevent new ones from growing. This is a longer-term alternative to rock salt that also acts as a preventative measure.
The Real Problem
Let’s be honest. If there are roots in your sewer line, the roots are not the issue. The fact that there are tree roots in the sewer line means a weak spot in the pipe, like a hole, crack, or loose joint, has opened. The only way to deal with a problem like this is to call a professional plumber. This is not a DIY project because any mistakes could cost you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. Leave this up to us and call today for a free estimate.
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