Sewers

sewer line clogging up with roots;does copper sulfate(Root Clear) help or do damage--older home?

Don't want to auger out--too much danger of collapsing sewer lines. Does the chemical work? It claims not to damage trees/shrubs.

Public Comments

1. Dig/replace.
2. depending on how old the home is you either have ceramic or iron pipes. you could indeed break them by augering. the root clear should work just fine and it wont hurt the trees or shrubs.
3. Yes that will work for awhile but they will grow back. I had the same problem in the past and we had a camera run down the line to see how bad the problem really was and it showed that the line was broken and had also started to fill with dirt coming thru the break in the line and this you cannot stop the only choice you have is to have it replaced.
4. Should kill the roots but they will still be in the pipe until they rot away and that could take years. After you kill the roots with copper sulfate you could try and burn the roots up with some strong drain cleaner that has sulfuric acid in it.
5. It may kill the roots, but it will not remove them. Start saving to replace the line. Once they are broken through, they start to collapse.
6. Have a drain company come out and use a water jet system. It will clear out your pipes and also cut thru the Roots. If you are on a septic system the copper sulfate is not recommended. Please read the label before you purchase the product.
7. I have root problems & I agree with "Carl", The sulfate will kill them, but they're still gonna be in the pipes.
8. Don't waste your money on copper sulphate. I had to have my sewer "rootered" and I asked the guys this same question. It will work for NEW pipes as a maintenance only. Not prevention and not a cure.