PVC pipes aren't foolproof, that's true...but honestly, copper sulfate always made me nervous. Had a neighbor once who went overboard with it—ended up killing half his flower bed. Maybe mechanical root cutting every few years is safer all around?
Mechanical root cutting's definitely the safer bet in my book—at least you know exactly what's getting chopped and where. Copper sulfate always seemed kinda dicey to me too, especially if you've got plants nearby you actually care about. Plus, renting a root cutter every few years isn't that pricey if you split it with a neighbor or two. Did that last fall and saved a decent chunk of cash...and no surprise plant casualties either.
"Copper sulfate always seemed kinda dicey to me too, especially if you've got plants nearby you actually care about."
I've had decent luck using copper sulfate sparingly, actually. Trick is timing it right after a good rain—seems to dilute enough to avoid collateral damage. But yeah, mechanical cutting's definitely more predictable overall...
I've used copper sulfate occasionally in drain lines, and I agree timing is key. A couple years back, I tried it after a dry spell, thinking I'd get ahead of root intrusion before the rainy season hit. Well... that didn't turn out great. Ended up with some noticeable damage to nearby shrubs—lesson learned. Now, I wait until we've had at least one or two good rains to saturate the soil first.
"mechanical cutting's definitely more predictable overall..."
That's been my go-to method for years, honestly. It's reliable and gives you immediate results without worrying about unintended plant damage. The downside is it's labor-intensive, and depending on the pipe layout, access can be tricky. Still, if you're careful and patient, mechanical clearing tends to pay off better long-term.
Interesting discussion here—I'm new to all this plumbing stuff, so I'm absorbing everything I can. Haven't messed around with copper sulfate yet, but from your story, I might hold off for now. Mechanical cutting seems safer to me too, though I get what you're saying about the labor and tricky access points. My place has a bunch of landscaping near the sewer line, and I'm worried about damaging plants if I use chemicals, especially after reading:
"Ended up with some noticeable damage to nearby shrubs—lesson learned."
Definitely don't want to repeat that experience! For those who've done mechanical clearing—are there any special tips or tricks you'd recommend for a total newbie? Maybe certain tools or techniques that make it easier to navigate tight spots or awkward layouts...
