Tree root infiltration is one of the most common reasons for sewer clogs.
As a homeowner, it’s very important to detect and remove tree roots from your sewer line quickly to prevent sewer system damage and sewage clogs.
If you’re a Fort Worth homeowner and recently discovered this issue on your property, you’re probably wondering how to remove tree roots from your sewer line.
Read this guide to learn the best ways to remove tree roots and prevent more damage.
How to Safely Remove Tree Roots From Your Sewer Line
The safest way to remove tree roots from your sewer line pipe without digging up your yard or flushing harmful chemicals into your sewer pipe is hydro jetting.
Hydro jetting is a technique plumbers use to clear out a pipe clogged due to heavy debris or tree roots.
Using high-pressure water ranging from 1800 to 7000 psi per minute, professional hydro jetting quickly obliterates tree roots and gets your sewer line functioning normally again.
Hydro jetting has numerous advantages:
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- Safety: Hydro jetting is one of the safest ways to remove tree roots. Unlike chemical treatments, it doesn’t harm the environment.
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- Effectiveness: Its ability to reach every corner of the pipe ensures the thorough removal of roots.
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- Preventative: With regular hydro jetting, you can prevent roots from regrowing and causing blockages.
For residents in Fort Worth, this can be a game-changer not only for maintenance but also to reduce costs.
Hydro jetting is so powerful that it can simultaneously cut through the roots in your pipe and wash away the debris. This makes it an excellent solution for stubborn and recurring sewer line problems.
DIY Ways to Remove Tree Roots From Your Sewer Line
DIY methods can help remove root growth in your sewer line. However, without the proper tools or expertise, this could lead to bigger issues down the road.
Through a sewer camera inspection, professionals can quickly spot where the blockage is and solve it using trenchless sewer repair.
Manually Cutting the Tree Roots: A DIY Method
DIYers can try to physically cut the roots out of the sewer pipe. It is quick but may require some special tools. Here is the process:
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- Identify the Blockage: Begin by establishing where the tree roots have clogged the pipe. You can do this by using a sewer camera.
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- Use a Sewer Machine: Once you’ve identified the location, you need to cut the roots using a sewer machine with a spiral root saw attached to it known as a root cutter.
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- Clean Up: Once you’ve cut away the roots, flush out the shredded roots with a hose to completely free up the sewer line.
Watch This Manual Root Cutting Machine Go To Work:
Using Chemicals To Remove Tree Roots From Sewer Line
Flushing a chemical root killer into your sewer line is another alternative to battling pesky roots. These chemicals break down the infiltrated roots to remove blockages.
Unfortunately, chemical solutions are not the best long-term solution for removing tree roots in pipes. While chemicals kill existing roots, new ones can grow back over time.
These chemicals can also be toxic if they leach into the soil, groundwater, and nearby plants.
Chemicals are hazardous materials so always be cautious when handling chemicals. Wear protective clothing and eye protection to prevent accidental spills or splashes.
Also, ensure that you are in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any noxious fumes.
How to Prevent Tree Root Growth in Your Drains
Prevention methods could help you avoid invasive roots in your sewer line.
Regular drain cleaning will catch problems before they damage your plumbing system.
If you have large trees near your sewer line, consider bringing in professionals every year or two for maintenance. Professionals can use cameras to check for any root invasion and take preventative action.
You can also consider planting “sewer safe” trees to prevent tree roots from damaging your pipes.
Chemical tree root removal products might be useful as a preventative to keep roots from growing in your pipes. However, it’s important to consider the environmental impacts of flushing chemicals into your sewer line.
Important Signs of Tree Root Intrusion in Your Sewer Line
If you’re a homeowner in the Fort Worth area or elsewhere, it’s important to watch for signs of tree root intrusion in your sewer lines.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
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- Slow Drain: If your sink, bathtub or toilet drain is slower than usual, this could signal tree root intrusion. Remember, this is often the first sign of an issue in your pipe.
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- Regular Backups: Sudden and frequent drain backups, particularly in the drains in your basement or lowest level, suggest blockages in your drain pipe.
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- Unpleasant Odors: Odors resembling mold or sewage that are not caused by your vapor trap indicate severe issues with your drainage system.
Pay attention to these signs and act promptly to avoid a complete sewer line blockage. It’s far more cost-effective to get sewer drain cleaning before the problem gets worse.
Why You Should Fix the Tree Roots in Your Sewer Line: Don’t Wait
You may want to put off fixing this problem due to cost.
Make no mistake – although it might seem cost-effective to handle the problem on your own, ignoring these signs or attempting DIY could lead to serious damage and costlier repairs down the line.
Blockages: Once tree roots penetrate your sewer line, they can cause obstructions, preventing the efficient flow of waste or a completely blocked drain.
Damage and Breakage: The aggressive growth of tree roots can exert immense pressure on the sewer pipes, leading to cracks or complete breakage over time.
Increased Maintenance Cost: Regular intrusion of tree roots into the sewer line may lead to frequent drain repair or even costly emergency plumbing service.
Ignoring the problem of invasive tree roots can lead to severe consequences, affecting the overall efficiency of your home’s wastewater management system.
Recap: How To Remove Tree Roots From Sewer Line
Tree roots can wreak havoc on your sewer lines and cause obstructions, slow drainage, and complete blockages.
Furthermore, these infiltrations can lead to costly repairs or replacements if left untreated.
If you detect a tree root intrusion, don’t wait. Call in a professional plumber in Fort Worth who specializes in hydro-jetting to clear out that root and remove your sewer clog today!
FAQs About How To Remove Tree Roots From Sewer Line
Does hydro jetting work on roots?
Yes, hydro jetting works well for removing roots from sewer lines. It is a relatively new technology that is used by some professional plumbers.
How do I stop my tree roots from clogging my sewer line?
Some chemicals, like potassium hydroxide and copper sulfate, can create a root barrier to keep roots from spreading.
However, if you have trees that are near the sewer line, you might consider removing them.
What dissolves tree roots in sewer lines?
One thing to try is copper sulfate. You can find it in your local hardware store. Follow the instructions. Be careful, as any chemical can be dangerous. And it usually won’t work on larger roots.
