Finally won the battle against invading tree roots

FINALLY WON THE BATTLE AGAINST INVADING TREE ROOTS

I’ve seen copper sulfate crystals work, but honestly, they’re kind of hit or miss. Sometimes they do the trick for slow-growing roots, but if you’ve got a big maple or willow nearby? Good luck—those things seem to laugh at chemicals. Plus, too much copper sulfate can be rough on septic systems and the environment, so I’m not a huge fan unless you’re desperate. Mechanical plus foam is usually my go-to combo too... it’s not perfect, but it keeps the calls from panicked tenants down.

I’ve had mixed results with copper sulfate too—honestly, I’m a bit wary of dumping chemicals down the line unless I’m out of options. Had a neighbor who went overboard and ended up with a patchy lawn and a weird smell near his drain field for weeks... not worth it. I lean toward mechanical removal first, then maybe root-killing foam if things get stubborn. It’s a hassle, but at least you know exactly what’s going on down there. Those big tree roots are relentless, though—sometimes feels like a losing battle.

I hear you on the chemicals—my wallet and my nerves both get twitchy when I think about pouring stuff down the pipes. I’ve tried copper sulfate in the past, but like you said, it’s a gamble. That “weird smell near his drain field for weeks” you mentioned?

Had a neighbor who went overboard and ended up with a patchy lawn and a weird smell near his drain field for weeks... not worth it.

Here’s how I usually tackle it: First, I snake the line myself (rented an auger once—cheaper than calling a pro). If that doesn’t clear it, I’ll try one of those foaming root killers, but only as a last resort. I always wonder, though—does anyone actually dig up and reroute their lines to avoid roots long-term? Seems expensive, but maybe it pays off if you’ve got monster trees nearby. Has anyone tried that, or is it just overkill?

Digging up and rerouting lines always sounded like something out of a home improvement nightmare to me—like, “Congratulations, you’ve just won a new mortgage!” I get the logic, though. If you’ve got one of those ancient maples with roots that seem to have their own agenda, maybe it’s the only way to sleep at night. But man, the cost. I had a plumber quote me for a partial reroute once (just a short section near the worst tree), and I nearly fainted. Ended up sticking with my trusty auger and a lot of crossed fingers.

Here’s how I usually tackle it: First, I snake the line myself (rented an auger once—cheaper than calling a pro). If that doesn’t clear it, I’ll try one of those foaming root killers, but only as a last resort.

That’s basically my playbook too. I’ve gotten pretty good at snaking the line—almost like a weird party trick at this point. My neighbor swears by those foaming root killers, but I’m always paranoid about what they’re doing to the pipes (and the grass). The last thing I need is another “mystery patch” on the lawn. My wife still brings up the time I tried to fertilize and ended up with a neon green rectangle for half the summer.

I did hear about someone in our neighborhood who actually rerouted their main line around a big oak. It cost them a small fortune, but they haven’t had root issues since. Still, unless you’re dealing with constant backups or planning to stay in the house forever, it feels like overkill. I’d rather risk the occasional snake session than take out a loan for new pipes.

Anyone else ever try just trimming back the offending tree? I’ve thought about it, but then you’re trading plumbing bills for tree removal bills... and probably some angry squirrels.

Trimming the tree was my first thought too, but then I got a quote for just taking out a couple big roots and nearly choked. Plus, the tree guy warned me it might stress the tree and make things worse down the line. I’ve stuck with the snake/auger routine for now—definitely not glamorous, but way cheaper than rerouting or full-on tree removal. I do wonder if those root killers are secretly messing up my pipes, though... seems like a gamble either way.