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We had a plumber tell us that putting a big cup full of crushed salt pellets would keep the roots from clogging the sewer line. He said to put a cup down each toilet before bedtime and flush . Do that at least once a month. I wonder if anybody else has done this? We have a willow that I know must be the culprit and I really don't want to get rid of the tree.
You can buy Copper Sulfate crystals and use them every 6 months to keep roots out of the sewer system. It takes about a cup flushed down the commode. It will cause the roots to rot but won't kill the tree. https://www.google.com/search?ei=5G9....0.BxwCX1PFFgM
DO NOT put table salt down into the sewer line. It is toxic to the good bacteria that break down sewage. Copper sulfate is toxic as well, but not in the same general way. There are commercial preparations like Rid-X that are more acceptable.
Make sure you have a clean out, and buy a long snake. If you don't have a cleanout (many houses were built before this was a code requirement) it is probably worth it to either dig the big hole yourself and install one (if you know what you're doing) or have a plumber do it. Current code requires a two way cleanout but if you put a one way cleanout right at the point where the steel pipe under the house transitions to clay, 90+ % of your issues will be solved. I have rarely seen a need to go back toward the house and have very often seen the need to go away from the house (where the trees are; few people have tree roots actually under their house).
There's only going to be one sure cure and that's replacing the clay tiles with PVC.
Reps to all of you that answered my question. I have used Zep ( I bought at HD) a month or so before and I thought I followed the directions but still had the clog. I really hate cutting the tree down as we live in the desert and any tree is welcome out here. The house was built in '81 so I am pretty sure the pipe is PVC. I will take all of your suggestions to heart and thanks again!
Reps to all of you that answered my question. I have used Zep ( I bought at HD) a month or so before and I thought I followed the directions but still had the clog. I really hate cutting the tree down as we live in the desert and any tree is welcome out here. The house was built in '81 so I am pretty sure the pipe is PVC. I will take all of your suggestions to heart and thanks again!
Yes, it's quite likely you have PVC.
This just goes to show how powerful tree roots can be; and how invasive roots from a willow can be.
A friend of mine has a house surrounded by big, beautiful trees.
She has a "roto-rooter" type service come out every other year to clear the lines of tree roots.
YMMV
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