Archive for the 'Root Infiltration' Category

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Different Types of Tree Root Killing Chemicals

Published on December 20, 2010 in Environmentally Friendly, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 3 Comments Tags: , , , .

We’ve already explained in previous blog posts that physically replacing blocked pipes and removing surrounding tree roots does little to protect plumbing from future root intrusion. Chemical treatment is needed for ongoing fortification against invading tree roots. But, some chemicals not only inhibit root growth, they also may destroy surrounding trees and foliage.

The complete destruction of plants and trees due to chemicals in and around pipes is considered a “worse case scenario” because the root systems near pipes represents such a small portion of the actual tree. However, the threat of foliage destruction does exist and is worrisome to landowners concerned about the aesthetic value of their property. In some cases, the optional destruction of plants is also a concern for government environmental agencies.

Here’s a list of some popular chemical treatments for pipe and their effect on pipes, roots and trees:

Dichlobenil (a.k.a. Casoron W50): This chemical comes in both liquid and powder forms, that are both effective at killing tree roots. The liquid form does damage trees, but the powder form does not.

Endothal: This herbicide doesn’t harm trees, but it also doesn’t do much to kill root systems. It’s mostly used to eliminate aquatic plants growing in wastewater.

Metham (a.k.a Vaporizer, a.k.a. methylcarbamadithadithioic acid):  Kills some roots when used in low concentration, while higher concentrations increase the chance of killing roots, it also increases the chance of harming the trees. Highly effective when used in combination with Dichlorobenil. However, its adverse effect on trees and other plants has lead to potential banning of use by America’s Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.)

Copper Sulphate: Considered an outdated and harmful chemical treatment, copper sulfate may damage the plants without actually killing the invasive root system.

Glufosinate: Effective in high doses, this chemical is much more expensive than other types of chemical treatments. Despite the expense, glufosinate is a good alternative because is does little to damage trees.

The safe alternative is Vaporooter, proven, tested and guaranteed with more than 40 years of evidence that it does not harm trees, foliage or wildlife.

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Tree Root Removal From Pipes Without Using Chemicals

Published on December 17, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Cost Benefits, Pipe Damage, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 3 Comments Tags: , , , .

There are two surefire ways to remove tree roots from pipes and protect plumbing from further tree root intrusion. One: dig up the pipes, cut out the section that hold the roots, and replace the plumbing with new, root resistant pipes. And two: completely remove all plants that could grow into plumbing.

Unfortunately, these options are all but infeasible to the average home or business owner. This system of tree root removal is expensive, and in some cases, impossible.

On top of those drawbacks, cutting the roots can actually make the trees (and roots) grow faster. Add to that the fact that replacing sections of pipes weakens plumbing, which raises the chance that tree roots will find their way back into pipes. This method of removal could make the situation ten times worse!

Some plumbers recommend this removal method for emergency situations only.

Alternative methods might be just as ineffective. Pipes can be relined with cement or mortar, which seals the pipes and kills invasive roots. But, cement often cracks when the surrounding ground shifts. The compromised pipes are a welcome mat for nearby tree root systems.

Other, interesting, non-chemical solutions exist. One method creates a new pipe inside existing plumbing, rerouting water through the new pipe and killing the roots that live in the pipes. Plumbers feed a cloth-like, collapsed pipe down the plumbing system and then fill the pipe with cold water. The cold water expands the pipe and activates chemicals that harden the cloth. Voila! A new pipe inside your old pipe.

Another method does the exact opposite. A new PVC liner is placed around the existing damaged pipe. Cutting off root access to the old pipes and forming a new plumbing system.

Inside and outer pipe replacement is often more cost effective than substitution of pipe sections, but their are many chemical alternatives that are cheaper, easier and longer lasting, including Vaporooter.

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Chemically Treating Roots in Pipes

Published on December 15, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Environmentally Friendly, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

Tree roots love pipes. Why? Because of the atmosphere. The moisture and rich soil are like mood lighting and jazz music to tree roots. That’s why pipe replacement and other mechanical root intrusion solutions aren’t completely effective. They replace the pipes and kill some roots, but they do nothing about the atmosphere.

Chemical pipe treatments kill tree roots and make the area around plumbing inhospitable to the tree roots. Often, non-chemical pipe treatments kill tree roots in and surrounding the pipes, eventually the dead roots around the pipe decay. That decay is rich food for living tree roots and it attracts them right back to the pipes.

Chemical pipe treatments solve the problem by destroying and inhibiting the growth of plant life, slime and fungus. Unfortunately, many chemicals will also kill the trees connected to the roots.

If you want to save your trees, it’s important to choose your pipe treatment chemicals carefully. Various chemicals have different effect on trees. Some chemicals only inhibit and kill the roots directly around the pipes, while others may attack the tree itself. Even treating pipes that aren’t near root systems could have consequences for you trees, because the roots will inevitably grow towards the pipes.

Copper sulphate, for one, is great at blocking root growth but it travels far up the root system and threatens the tree. Copper sulfate cannot be used on plumbing that contains lead, terra cotta or porcelain because the chemical is corrosive to those substances.

A 1962 test by the Engineering and Water Supply Department of South Australia[i] tested the long-term effect of different chemicals. The test showed that the best tree root inhibitors were; sand set into cement, copper sulfate and a PVC chemical. However effected, copper sulfate is current considered fairly unusable because of it’s negative effects on plant life.

For safe, reliable and guaranteed protection of your beautiful trees, choose Vaporooter to manage tree root growth in your pipes.

[i] http://www.eoas.info/biogs/A001434b.htm

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Tree Root Blockages: The Ongoing Problem

Published on October 28, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Environmentally Friendly, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

So, you’ve called a plumber or expert in tree root blockages, and they’ve cleared the tree roots from your pipe. They may have even replaced damaged pipes. Problem solved, right? Well, not quite because tree root blockages can turn into a constant problem.

Most drain blockage solutions are only short term, there are only a few permanent ways to solve an ongoing root problem.

Some home and business owners choose to replace all their older, metal pipes with new pipes made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is currently the number one material for preventing the leaks and cracks that lead to root penetration. PVC will virtually guarantee that roots stay out of pipes, but it can get costly. The substitution of old pipes for PVC can be time consuming, and it can cost a fortune.

Another option (one that many folks don’t really see as an option) is removing all trees within the vicinity of the home or business. But, the removal of foliage can cause aesthetic and shade issues, and lower the value of the property.

One solution for many is routine maintenance and pipe clearing. Experts can use simple pipe treatments such as snakes and high-pressure water blasters to remove tree roots before they become a full scale blockage, but that means you keep doing it over and over again.

The best alternative is to treat your pipes with Vaporooter. It’s clean, it’s quick and it’s guaranteed.

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Pros and Cons of Chemical Pipe Treatments

Published on October 18, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Environmentally Friendly, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Chemical pipe treatments are one way to both remove and prevent tree root blockages, at the same time. These treatments have a combination of binding foam and herbicides. The force of the foam can be enough to extract the roots from your pipes. The foam then goes on to seal cracks in the pipes with a material that repels tree root growth.

On the surface, this seems like an ideal solution, but the truth is a bit more complicated. Here are both sides, the pros and the cons, of using chemical treatments to rid your pipes of roots.

Pros

  1. Gets rid of the tree roots and seals the pipes at the same time.
  2. Just cutting out the tree roots will promote further root growth instead of preventing it. Chemicals treatment will help prevent the tree roots from growing back.

Cons

  1. Doesn’t work if the tree roots or blockage are too big. This means the roots need to be cut first, then the chemical applied in a two-step process.
  2. Has to be done at least once a year, but at least the problem is solved!
  3. The herbicides may harm the trees near the pipes and surrounding foliage, unless applied by a professional applicator, then there is no risk.

It’s a fact that tree root systems will continue to infiltrate your pipes, especially drains made out of older material. Chemical treatments can be heaven-sent for some. You have to carefully look at this option to be sure that it’s the right one for you.


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Preventing Damage to Trees

Published on October 12, 2010 in Environmentally Friendly, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

For the most parts, trees are a big bonus to property values. They make the land more attractive, they hold down topsoil and they give shade. Many of the positive qualities of the trees get ignored the second a root system infiltrates a pipeline. Some people will do anything to rid their pipes of root blockages, including the destruction of the intruding tree.

But, what if you want to prevent damage to the tree?

Just to let you know, your trees will be safe if the tree roots are removed by rodding, cutting, or flushing methods. Unfortunately, one of the top reasons for the trees safety is the fact that the cutting is good for the roots, it will cause your tree to flourish, but some of that flourishing may grow right back into the line.

Chemical pipe treatments contain herbicide, but it’s usually in doses that are just strong enough to kill the tree roots inside the pipe and deter further root growth in the surrounding soil.

Real damage to trees only comes when there is multiple blockages, severe root growth, and damaged or crushed pipes. These situations are cause for an excavation of the trees and pipes. Large portions of the tree root system will have to be removed, which may end up killing the tree.

Fibrous tree roots will spread out to about 1 1/2 times the hight of the tree, but they don’t need all those roots to survive. As a rule of thumb, trees generally only need roots that spread out as far as the canopy. Too much tree root removal will make the tree unstable, and it could topple over on your home or property.


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Tree Roots Block Drains

Published on September 15, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Did you know that the majority of sewer blockages are caused by tree root systems? A recent study found that tree root are accountable for 54% of plumbing blockages, in some areas of Australia the number is as high as 93%

Plumbing blockages are a heavy price to pay for foliage. A root blocking inbound or outbound plumbing can quickly turn into a watery nightmare for home, business, and building owners.

Luckily, there are trees to avoid and trees that are okay. Trees with fibrous, or “spread out”, root can be dangerous near homes and business with plumbing. Trees with taproots, or roots that grow downward, can be safer for pipes. Also, some trees that are unsafe for plumbing become safer the farther they are away from buildings.

Don’t worry if it’s too late for preventive landscaping, there are several ways to clear those pesky roots from pipes. Experts will use different methods depending on the circumstance of the blockages. Popular methods include rodding, jetting, root cutting, the use of chemicals, and a process called dig and repair.

No matter what the root blockage issue, Australia has a water of tree root and plumbing experts. They help our pipes live in harmony with our world-famous fauna.


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How Blocked Drains Happen

Published on September 8, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain and Root Infiltration. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Drain pipes may not be very attractive to you, but tree roots love them. Tree roots are lured towards your pipe because of condensation. Moisture builds up around the pipes, more so in summer because the water in the pipes is much cooler than the surrounding environment . Thirsty tree roots lock on to the trail of dampness and creep toward your pipes.

The roots will grow along the pipes until they reach a crack, they may even pry open a loose joint. Once the pipe is breached, the root will grow into it to take advantage of the nutrient-rich material inside.

As the root continues to infiltrate the pipe it grows a bundle of thin root-masses. These masses make the blockage worse by trapping kitchen grease, food oil, and large pieces of drain debris such as tissue.

The tree roots will eventually exert so much pressure on the pipe that they will sompelstey destroy the section that they have grown into. The pipe may crack or burst from the outside, or it the pressure of the roots on the outside could cause the pipe to collapse in on itself.

Tree roots are not your everyday drain blockage. Most blockages can be quickly snaked out by you local plumber. The blockages caused by roots that grow into pipes are much more complicated. Even if a plumber is able to snake out the blockage, there will still be damage to the line.


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Electric Snakes

Published on August 20, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 1 Comment Tags: , .

Electric snakes are tools used by plumbers to clear pipes of debris, but if your problem is roots growing into pipes, snaking is a very temporary solution. Electric snakes are used to buy time until a longer-lasting technique can be used to clear the pipe.

These nifty machines are made of over 60 meters of tubing. The tubing spins at over 500 revolutions a minute. A powerful electric snake is enough to clear regular debris and small, thin root blockages. You’re going to need something stronger for dense root blockages.

Plumbers may still use an electric snake on a dense blockage, with the hopes that it will clear enough of the pipe to make it usable in the short-term. On top of their provisionality, electric snakes pose many other problems.

The tubes are long, cumbersome, space will have to made to fit the equipment into your snakes will be covered in grease and grime. They can make a huge mess in your home if you happen to get careless plumbers. Even the most courteous plumbing experts can still unwittingly leave some muck for you to clean up.

Experts warn against renting or buying an electric snakes and using them to routinely clear pipes. The tube spins so fast that it can be dangerous if you’re not trained in the proper use. Like most complicated devices, the use of electric snakes is best left up to the pros.

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5 Ways to Clear Tree Roots From Pipes

Published on August 17, 2010 in Blocked Drains, Clogged Drain, Root Infiltration and Tree Roots. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .
  1. Rodding: Plumbers stick a ratchet (a bar with teeth) down your pipe to break up the root block. Then they send another bar down to cut and clear the debris.
  2. Jetting: Plumbers will use a hose with a special nozzle to direct a powerful jet of water at the block. With jetting, there is a big risk that the jet won’t be able to break up the blockage, time and money might have to spent on a more hard-hitting solution.
  3. Root Cutting: This process uses the same high-pressure water as jetting, but in this case the water is more directed, and is used to cut the roots before flushing them out. Cutting the roots usually encourages new root growth. They could grow back faster and stronger.
  4. Chemicals: This treatment is a heavy chemical foam that contains herbicides. How a chemical treatment works depends on how bad the root block is. Less dense root masses can be forced out by the pressure of the foam as it travels down the pipe. More dense masses will have to be jetted first. The foam seals cracks in the pipes cause by the roots, and the herbicides hinder further root growth. You’ll have to treat pipes near root systems at least once a year. Vaporooter is the leading product to get this done.
  5. Dig out and Repair: This method requires excavation of the pipes and roots. Although fairly permanent, its often only used in extreme situations, such as the total collapse of a main drainage pipe. The costs can be quite high when you have to dig to remove tree roots.

Source: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/33520788/INVESTIGATION-OF-SEWER-BLOCKAGES-DUE-TO-TREE-ROOTS-Graham-Thomson-/


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