Posted: 2/5/2013 4:01:30 PM EDT
|
I just had to cut some roots near my sewer cleanout; they made a small hole near a joint I can easily repair;
I cut all the roots from around the pipe (removed fine roots from inside pipe at hole near joint) anyway, I don't think they'll stop and there's not enough room to install a root barrier around the area, so what can I use to "kill" the roots without danger of seeping from the area & getting into my septic tank, which is around 4' away: normally there's no rain runoff in this area. There's no trees within 30' of this area, but I'm sure alot of you guys that live in the south have the same situation, sandy soil with pine trees. thanks in advance, ARFCOM never ceases to amaze me with things ya'll know |
I had a persistent problem with tree roots. Things finally got to the point the sewer line couldn't be rodded out. I paid two grand to replace it, then two years later--plugged with roots. This time they were going in at the Fernco joint where the old clay was joined to the new PVC. I contemplated digging it up and dumping a 50# bag of rock salt onto the pipe joint, then refilling with dirt, but opted to cut the trees down instead. No problems in five years after doing that. I'm not sure this is helpful, but I can't imagine the salt trick wouldn't work. 
|
|
Quoted:
Not an expert but I have a hard time envisioning something that will selectively kill off JUST a root without killing the whole tree. There are contact herbicides out there that will only kill the part of the plant they contact, but I don't think any of those would be recommended for use near sewer lines where they can possibly contaminate things much further down the line as well... |
|
Had great luck with Root 'N Clean, but recently the EPA has been giving them a hard time.
http://www.rootnclean.com/natural_foaming_tree_root_killer_home.html You could also try copper sulfate in crystalline form. Regards |
|
actually, I have access to the endz of the roots in question; my problem is
they'll just grow back. An old plumber told me what they used; commonly available, not the best thing to do today, but it won't hurt any adjacent parts of my septic, or other desireable plants. thanks for the imput |
| A lot of sewer line root killers are just copper sulfate crystals. It kills the end of the roots that infiltrate the pipe, but doesn't hurt the trees. It has to be flushed down the line once or twice a year to keep it free from roots. I had to treat my sewer line for years until I was able to cut down the willow tree that was causing problems. The only thing I don't know is what impact copper sulfate may have on a septic system (if any) as I was hooked up to city sewer. |