3 Easy Steps to Successfully Clear Obstructions from Your Sewer Line with Root Killers

Getting rid of tree roots that have invaded your home’s sewer line can seem like a tricky task, but it doesn’t have to be. With some careful planning, you can effectively eliminate the roots without killing the tree or damaging your roof. Here are the steps you need to take to kill roots in a sewer line.

First, you’ll need to locate the sewer line. You can check with your local government office or with the local gas, cable, and electric companies to be sure you don’t interfere with any of their lines. Then, mark the sewer line with two flags and draw a chalk line between them.

Next, use an earth auger to drill a hole about 2 1/2 inches in diameter into the ground above the sewer line, stopping when it’s about 30 inches deep. Take a 1 1/2 PVC pipe, cut it to the size of the hole, and glue a female adapter to one end. Insert the pipe into the hole until the lip of the pipe is flush with the ground.

At this point, it’s time to buy some copper sulfate. Make sure to put on safety gear like gloves and a face mask to protect yourself before handling the copper sulfate. Take approximately four pounds of copper sulfate and pour it down the pipe. Afterward, use five gallons of hot water to help it get absorbed more easily into the ground.

Whenever you’re ready, repeat this process every four months to further clear the sewer line. It can take as long as a month before you finally get rid of the roots.

Some people might suggest pouring salt into the sewer line, but this isn’t recommended because it can kill the tree along with the tree roots. To completely eliminate the roots without killing the tree, pour a 1/2 cup of copper sulfate down the toilet and flush. This should be done every six months in addition to the steps mentioned before.

In conclusion, getting rid of roots in a sewer line is doable with the right approach. Follow any of the steps listed above, and you should have no problem eliminating the roots permanently and avoiding any damage to the tree surrounding the sewer line.