Key Takeaways. Tree roots can grow into sewer pipes in a matter of weeks or take several years, depending on conditions. Symptoms include slow drains, strange odors, and sinkholes in your yard. Tree roots seek out moisture from even the smallest pipe cracks.
Trees will easily invade a cracked or old pipe, while newer ones will take longer to damage. It can take anywhere from 30 days to two years for tree roots to grow back in sewer pipes.
Are tree roots in a sewer line covered by insurance? Not usually. While insurance may help cover damage to your property caused by tree roots, it generally won't cover costs associated specifically with the sewer lines.
Finally, have your sewer line inspected every two years to identify a root problem. Be sure to have your sewer line inspected every two years, especially if you've had issues in the past. Hire a plumber or a drain-cleaning or sewer service company to 'scope' the line and identify any problems.
If tree roots grow too close to your sewer pipes, they can invade the pipe, causing a blockage and potentially creating a crack or structural collapse if left unchecked.
Try Copper Sulfate
Copper Sulfate is also effective in killing roots in your sewer line pipes. You can get it at your local hardware store. Just pour about half a cup down the toilet and flush as many times as needed to wash it off.
This pipe, which lies buried under the soil of your yard, can last anywhere from 50-100 years or more, depending on the material from which the pipe is made and the conditions under which it is used.
Rock salt, Epsom salt, and even table salt are popular chemical methods of killing tree roots and removing them with greater ease. Consider this method before removing a tree's stump, as it can take care of the whole setup at once.
For instance, residential sewer line depth ranges from 18 to 30 inches. However, city sewer line depths are different. Your city's sewer lines must always be deeper than the deepest residential pipe to allow waste to flow downhill. As such, these lines can go as deep as needed.
There is another option for cleaning a sewer line. It's called chemical cleaning, but we're not fans. Removing roots with a chemical cleaning uses a strong base, such as Drano, or a poison, such as copper sulfate. These strong bases can damage your already weakened plumbing system.
Copper sulfate will require several days to several weeks to work, although spectacular results are sometimes obtained when a rapid breakdown of the organisms within the root mass is achieved and flow is quickly restored.
Removing roots from your septic tank costs from $1,000 to $5,000. Over time, tree and plant roots grow into the tank or pipes. If the issue is minor, the job can be done cheaply.
Sewer laterals are the underground pipes that connect your home wastewater to the main sewer line in the street. Homeowners are responsible for their sewer laterals, while problems with the public sewer main line are managed by the city or municipality.
Once you confirm the pipe invaders are tree roots, proceed with root killer application. Plumbing supply and hardware stores typically sell the chemical, and all that's needed is to pour it in the toilet or drain so it can get to work killing roots that are clogging the sewer lines.
Most people should have their sewer lines cleaned every 18 to 22 months or every year and a half to two years. This time frame is enough to clear out any more minor clogs and other problems before they get worse. If your system is prone to clogs, it's better to schedule more regular cleanings.
The rate of root growth can vary greatly between different plant species. Some trees, like willows and poplars, are known for aggressive root growth, while others may exhibit slower growth. On average, roots tend to grow at a pace of several inches per year in optimal conditions.
Your sanitation district will be able to tell you the approximate depth by going off the plats of how that sewer system was laid out, along with all the laterals, manholes, turns of direction. Everything in Plumbing can be repaired or replaced.
Sewer lines come in a variety of depths. They can range in depth from 12″ to 30″ and can be as deep as 6+ ft. Often, it's only a matter of the environment and climate.
Believe it or not, plumbing pipes under a slab house foundation is typically 12 to 24 inches deep. The pipes are installed into trenches and then buried before the rebar, wire mesh, and concrete slab are poured.
Drain Cleaning Foam to Kill Roots
Today, foaming root killer is deemed a more modern and more effective root treatment method than copper sulfate and has become the preferred option for tackling root problems. Not only can it kill existing roots but the best part is it prevents roots from growing back.
You can kill tree roots using boiling water. First, expose as much of the visible roots as possible, as well as the stump—if it's still intact. Next, drill multiple holes into the roots and stump and pour boiling water into them. The heat will shock, damage, and kill the roots and stump.
Sewer line replacement costs stem from labor, permits, materials, excavation, and landscaping restoration, potentially running from $4,000 to $25,000. Trenchless sewer replacement methods can save long-term costs by minimizing disruption and avoiding extensive excavation, despite higher initial charges.
Generally speaking, you're going to find that most main sewer lines will only last somewhere between 50 and 100 years before you need to do a main sewer line replacement. You could very well have a broken sewer line on your hands right now and not even realize it.