We had hydro jetting done about two years back after constant root issues. It was great at first, but honestly, roots are stubborn...they found their way back eventually. Ended up biting the bullet and replacing the pipes with PVC—no issues since.
Hydro jetting can be hit or miss, honestly. Had it done on one of my properties a few years back—same issue, roots kept creeping in. But I wouldn't jump straight to PVC replacement unless you're absolutely sure it's necessary. PVC is great, don't get me wrong, but it's pricey and disruptive.
Have you looked into trenchless pipe lining? Had it done on another property about three years ago, and it's been solid since. Basically, they insert a resin liner into your existing pipes, cure it in place, and it seals off any cracks or openings where roots get in. It's less invasive than digging everything up, and usually cheaper too.
Of course, every situation's different...depends on the pipe condition and how aggressive those roots are. But might be worth checking out before committing to a full replacement.
Trenchless lining can definitely work, but I'd be cautious if roots are super aggressive. Had a neighbor who tried it—roots busted through again after two years. Might wanna get a camera inspection first to see how bad things really are down there...
Yeah, camera inspection's a solid call. When I moved into my place last year, I had similar issues—drain backing up randomly, especially after heavy rain. Got a plumber out to run a camera down there, and turns out the roots were pretty intense. He showed me the footage, and honestly, it looked like something out of a horror movie.
I considered trenchless lining too, but the plumber mentioned that if roots have already busted through once, they'll probably keep trying. He suggested hydro-jetting first to clear out the pipes completely, and then a foaming root killer treatment every six months to keep them at bay. Been doing that routine for about 9 months now, and so far, no backups (fingers crossed).
Trenchless lining might still work depending on your pipe condition, but definitely get eyes down there first. Better to know exactly what you're dealing with before investing in a fix that might not stick long-term...
Had a similar issue at one of my rentals a couple years back. Camera inspection is definitely step one—no point guessing. If roots are the culprit, hydro-jetting is great for immediate relief, but honestly, long-term, roots are stubborn. I ended up biting the bullet and replacing a section of pipe after repeated backups. Cost more upfront, but zero issues since. Might be worth considering if the problem keeps popping up...
