Tried the foaming root killer a couple years back after a plumber swore by it—honestly, it did slow things down for a while. Didn’t totally solve it, but I got a good six months before the next clog. Not magic, but better than nothing. The trick is catching it early, before the roots get too thick. Still, nothing beats a camera scope to see what you’re really dealing with... sometimes it’s just time to bite the bullet and dig.
Still, nothing beats a camera scope to see what you’re really dealing with... sometimes it’s just time to bite the bullet and dig.
Honestly, I get the appeal of root killer but I’ve seen too many folks just keep delaying the inevitable. If you’re getting clogs every six months, the roots are probably way past what chemicals can handle. I’d scope it, then hydrojet—sometimes that clears things out for a year or more without digging. Digging’s a last resort in my book, unless the pipe’s totally shot.
I’d scope it, then hydrojet—sometimes that clears things out for a year or more without digging.
That’s pretty much my go-to as well. Had a job last winter where the homeowner kept using root killer every few months, but the roots just kept coming back thicker. Scoped it, saw a massive root ball, and hydrojetted it out. Bought them a good year and a half before we had to dig. Chemicals are fine for maintenance, but once you’re getting regular clogs, it’s usually time for the camera and some real cleaning. Digging’s a pain, but sometimes it’s the only way.
Chemicals are fine for maintenance, but once you’re getting regular clogs, it’s usually time for the camera and some real cleaning.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen folks dump root killer down their drains for years, thinking it’s a magic fix, but those roots just treat it like fertilizer half the time. Had a call last spring—lady was at her wit’s end after three plumbers and a mountain of chemicals. Scoped it, and the roots had basically woven a nest in her clay line. Hydrojetting blasted it out, but I warned her: that’s just buying time.
Funny thing, sometimes you get lucky and the jetting holds for a couple years, but other times you’re back in six months. Depends on the trees, the pipe material, and how much water they’re chasing. Digging’s a last resort for me too, but when you see daylight through the cracks in the pipe, there’s just no way around it. At least with a camera, you know what you’re up against before you start tearing up the yard.
Had a call last spring—lady was at her wit’s end after three plumbers and a mountain of chemicals. Scoped it, and the roots had basically woven a nest in her clay line.
Yeah, that part about the roots just treating chemicals like fertilizer rings true. I tried root killer a couple times and honestly, it just seemed to delay things. Getting a camera in there made all the difference—could actually see what was going on instead of guessing. Hydrojetting sounds intense but if it buys time, worth it. Digging feels like a nightmare scenario, but I get why sometimes there’s no choice.