Sewer line root invasion

[jaxs]

While probing,2 quarter size holes were made in 3" pvc pipe within 20 feet of two large trees. I don't have couplings,glue and means of splitting couplings so I laid 4x6 pieces of plastic over holes and held in place with soil. Will copper sulfate sprinkled in hole around patch presist long term to prevent roots invading holes?

 

[Mat4644]

For plastic tile joints around trees a commercial plastic tile tape is available. Triple wrap with a quality electrical tape and plastic on top would probably suffice and be better than solution now. Doubt copper sulfate would last more than a few years.

Long term for something like this we'd cut a piece of PVC pipe, slit and make a saddle. Clamp and glue with stainless steel hose clamp.

 

[ponytug]

Sorry about the broken pipes. I doubt that copper sulfate would work long term. In my experience, only sealing the pipe will work longish term. Near trees, I would doubt tape would work for the long term, but what is "long term" for you?

I have done the slit pipe, glue, and clamp method, and I have dug up enough pipe to replace the problem areas. I prefer the latter.

PVC is brittle, so once you have poked a hole in it, it is likely to crack from those holes. If the pipe is low pressure waste pipe, and if you aren't going to drive over that area, you might get away with the slit pipe, glue, and clamp method. If it is under pressure, I would bite the bullet and replace the broken areas.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Captain Dirty]

While probing,2 quarter size holes were made in 3" pvc pipe within 20 feet of two large trees. I don't have couplings,glue and means of splitting couplings so I laid 4x6 pieces of plastic over holes and held in place with soil. Will copper sulfate sprinkled in hole around patch presist long term to prevent roots invading holes?

It is unclear if the probing holes were made to try to search for roots because the line was sluggish, or you knew you had roots and were trying to locate them. I suggest you have the line snaked, rodded, or "rotor-rooted" to clear the line and likely discover the cause. If you have roots it is likely owing to cracks from overburden (traffic over the line) or improperly fitted and glued joints, problems that have not been addressed.

Your "fix" is temporary and likely to be short lived, Saddles and clamps may last longer but have not addressed the root problem that is best repaired by excavating the line and repair or replacement of affected areas.

 

[user.69169]

Just speculatin here, must be he's in backwater Texas where he can't buy PVC pipe over to Homer Desperate or glue either. I ain't even askin why he poked dem holes in dat pipe.

I also ain't touchin dat der be cowsludge edumification in de problem.

Murder de tree den call in de tree surgeon, what else would anybody do.

 

[kenmac]

why can't you go to the store and buy the materials to make proper repairs ?

Cut the pipe, slide a fernco fitting in place. easy repair

 

[jaxs]

Cabin owner will have a couple of labors there to trench when I'm there again next May with tools and material. It will be interesting to see how many roots we find when pipe is uncovered. Thanks for the opinions.

 

[RoyKing]

Here's what many years of experience has taught me about drain fields. First dig out around discharge, distribution box. Most times the roots will collect and the pipes or box will be filled with fine root mesh. Sharp razor knife and cut all out. I've seen it split a clay pipe. Then you may have single root coming in from drain field. Stick a hose in the drain field line an turn on full, if it doesn't back up quickly it is ok. Some time the roots will have gotten in the tank, then you've got to pull the cover. Get trash pump and pump it out, it will make the grass/flowers grow great, just like milorgranite. Put 1.5" stand pipe in distribution box, pour a few pounds of copper sulphate into drain pipe and on gravel around it, patch the line, put some organics in the tank, leave ditch open and start using. Very few fields actually get clogged. Every six months add pound per person through the stand pipe, roots won't come back, 38 years on same drain field running right through oaks and pines.