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Tree roots require oxygen, water, and nutrients to thrive, so your plumbing system can be a particularly appealing environment for these roots to intrude on. Water vapor that escapes from your pipes to the outside soil causes tree roots to naturally grow toward your home, and these roots are often strong enough to cause cracks or holes in your pipes. If they continue to grow without being removed, they will force into your interior plumbing, accumulating waste and other materials to form serious blockages.
Thankfully, there are certain steps you can take to fix this problem before it completely destroys your plumbing system.
3 Main Methods for Removing Tree Roots From Your Pipes
- Mechanical auger. A mechanical auger is a device that consists of a rotating spiral head you can snake into your pipe and sever the roots growing within it. Although this method is the easiest and most affordable, it only serves as a temporary fix rather than a true solution because the roots will continue to grow as long as the tree is still alive.
- Copper sulfate. Copper sulfate crystals can be used to essentially poison the pipe and the nearby soil, which kills the tree roots. You can purchase these chemicals from a garden supply store or online. To use, pour half a cup of the crystals into your toilet, then flush until the bowl completely empties. Because these chemicals are toxic, they require careful handling to avoid injury. If you decide to call in a professional plumber, you should notify them immediately that you used chemicals so they can prepare with the right protective equipment before getting started on your system.
- Hydro jetting. Hydro jetting works by forcing highly pressurized water into your plumbing system to cut and remove the tree roots. This method is expensive but works much better than a mechanical auger. Most homeowners choose to hydro jet and then apply copper sulfate crystals for the most comprehensive solution.
Contact the Professionals
If you try the methods above and still have no success stopping the invasion of tree roots into your pipes, it is time to contact the professionals. Call D. Rohde Plumbing, Heating & AC today to learn how we can help you handle even the most difficult plumbing emergencies with superior customer service and state-of-the-art equipment. Whether you need a minor repair or a full replacement of your system, our technicians have the skill and experience to resolve your problem with affordable, top-quality workmanship.
