I removed a few soup cans full of small roots from my main drain with a
power auger (snake). I have no way of knowing how far in the line these were
growing but I suspect it was the toward the end. The unfortunate thing is,
the auger was 100' long but the line is probably 125'; there may be more
beyond but the water is flowing well now.



I was introduced to copper sulfate as a possible remedy. I'm skeptical. The
container claims it kills roots and is to be used while there is still flow
but I wonder just how effectively it does kill roots. Instructions call for
anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds to be flushed down a commode twice a year.



Will someone with some understanding of how copper sulfate really reacts
with small roots in a drain please comment.

Fortunately I have never had to deal with the issue. You may want to
check out this article though.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/326_Sew...e__Roots.shtml

Good Luck!


jaygreg wrote:
I removed a few soup cans full of small roots from my main drain with a
power auger (snake). I have no way of knowing how far in the line these were
growing but I suspect it was the toward the end. The unfortunate thing is,
the auger was 100' long but the line is probably 125'; there may be more
beyond but the water is flowing well now.



I was introduced to copper sulfate as a possible remedy. I'm skeptical. The
container claims it kills roots and is to be used while there is still flow
but I wonder just how effectively it does kill roots. Instructions call for
anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds to be flushed down a commode twice a year.



Will someone with some understanding of how copper sulfate really reacts
with small roots in a drain please comment.

I like the concept. It makes sense. And it's an oportunity for me to rent
more tools and putz around like a contractor. Thanks! I've got confidense
inthis solution... provided I can be accurate in locaating the pipe.


"Growers Information" wrote in message
oups.com...
Fortunately I have never had to deal with the issue. You may want to
check out this article though.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/326_Sew...e__Roots.shtml

Good Luck!


jaygreg wrote:
I removed a few soup cans full of small roots from my main drain with a
power auger (snake). I have no way of knowing how far in the line these
were
growing but I suspect it was the toward the end. The unfortunate thing
is,
the auger was 100' long but the line is probably 125'; there may be more
beyond but the water is flowing well now.



I was introduced to copper sulfate as a possible remedy. I'm skeptical.
The
container claims it kills roots and is to be used while there is still
flow
but I wonder just how effectively it does kill roots. Instructions call
for
anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds to be flushed down a commode twice a year.



Will someone with some understanding of how copper sulfate really reacts
with small roots in a drain please comment.

Check this out:

http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=284407

SHG said:

Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/y53nog

I don't sub to that forum, so I can't post there, but I saw where you tried
to make it "easier" to view the pics, by changing the number each time.
There's an even easier way.

http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q...slideshow=true

This will automatically launch a slideshow in the browser window.

That being said, it was a great read, and your tenacity and ingenuity is
amazing. I'm sure you have other stories to tell, and hope you'll be
willing to share. This place needs more good-advice-givers. =)

Once a year, I have to have my line snaked out. The blockage is always, and
I mean every time, exactly 104' out. This is very close to the main sewer,
at an easement, and there are several large trees and shrubs in the
immediate area. The culpret is probably impossible to narrow down, or it
would be removed post-haste. Oh, how I wish I could identify the sweetgum
as the offender. Oh, how I wish. =)

Your method would probably be more difficult in my situation, but for
someone who's blockage is closer to the building, it seems the perfect
solution. The auger used by my plumber is the same size as the pipe, so
once he clears it, it's clear. At least for a year, anyway. I'm leaning
towards copper sulfate, but it hasn't come to that, yet. Perhaps a little
would point to the problem flora, but it goes against my nature to poison
plants, just to see what happens. For now, it will remain a yearly "fee",
to the plumber.

Cheers, HAND
--

Eggs

To a worm, digging in the hard ground is more relaxing than going fishing.

I'm an unskilled novice, but still I was wondering,
If you know the exact point of the problem (104')
why not dig around the pipe that distance out from the house?
See what is getting into the pipe and put some kind of barrier up.



Looking in on the problem, which is much different then having it I
realize, I think I'd rather fix it then to have my pipes plumbed
yearly.
But, I'm just commenting, not passing judgment. G


On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:05:27 -0600, Eggs Zachtly
wrote:

SHG said:

Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/y53nog

I don't sub to that forum, so I can't post there, but I saw where you tried
to make it "easier" to view the pics, by changing the number each time.
There's an even easier way.

http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q...slideshow=true

This will automatically launch a slideshow in the browser window.

That being said, it was a great read, and your tenacity and ingenuity is
amazing. I'm sure you have other stories to tell, and hope you'll be
willing to share. This place needs more good-advice-givers. =)

Once a year, I have to have my line snaked out. The blockage is always, and
I mean every time, exactly 104' out. This is very close to the main sewer,
at an easement, and there are several large trees and shrubs in the
immediate area. The culpret is probably impossible to narrow down, or it
would be removed post-haste. Oh, how I wish I could identify the sweetgum
as the offender. Oh, how I wish. =)

Your method would probably be more difficult in my situation, but for
someone who's blockage is closer to the building, it seems the perfect
solution. The auger used by my plumber is the same size as the pipe, so
once he clears it, it's clear. At least for a year, anyway. I'm leaning
towards copper sulfate, but it hasn't come to that, yet. Perhaps a little
would point to the problem flora, but it goes against my nature to poison
plants, just to see what happens. For now, it will remain a yearly "fee",
to the plumber.

Cheers, HAND

Ron Cliiborn said:

I'm an unskilled novice, but still I was wondering,
If you know the exact point of the problem (104')
why not dig around the pipe that distance out from the house?
See what is getting into the pipe and put some kind of barrier up.

It's right at a utility easement, and quite near where my pipe connects to
the main sewer line. Near the end of the summer, the neighbors two houses
up the street had their line backup. First time for them, in a long time,
they said. It took two days to find the problem, using cameras and such.
The local Sewer District was doing the work, so I'm guessing there may be a
problem with the main line, in that area. For now, I'm just taking a
wait-and-see attitude with it. Mine was cleared about a month and a half
ago, so I'm good for a while. If they find out it's in the city's
jurisdiction, they'll fix it. It's a small town, but there's a lot of money
here. Most utility-related problems get taken care of, right away. And, I
don't have to dig down in the clay. =)


Looking in on the problem, which is much different then having it I
realize, I think I'd rather fix it then to have my pipes plumbed
yearly.
But, I'm just commenting, not passing judgment. G

No problem. I know what you're saying, and have considered it (as recently
as up until the neighbor's problem). I just dig enough large holes at work.
That, and too many other projects I'm trying to finish around here....
Well, you know.

Thanks for the suggestion,

--

Eggs

The future ain't what it used to be.