I’ve seen those lining methods in action, but I’m a bit wary. If the pipe’s already got a lot of roots or cracks, sometimes the liner doesn’t seal right and you’re back to square one. Digging’s a pain, but at least you know it’s fixed for real. Chemical stuff freaks me out too—feels like a band-aid, not a solution.
I get what you mean about liners not always sealing up right, especially if the pipe’s already in rough shape. I’ve seen a couple jobs where the liner just kinda followed the cracks instead of fixing them. Digging’s a pain, but at least you know what you’re dealing with down there. The chemical root killers weird me out too—feels like you’re just kicking the can down the road.
Yeah, liners can be a gamble if the pipe’s already chewed up. I’ve seen them bunch up or even miss spots entirely—just masks the problem. Digging’s rough, but it’s the only way to know for sure what you’re working with. Chemical root killers...honestly, they might slow things down but never really solve anything long-term. Sometimes old-fashioned fixes are still the best bet.
Digging’s rough, but it’s the only way to know for sure what you’re working with.
That’s been my experience too—no substitute for actually seeing the pipe. I’ve come across liners that looked fine on camera but were hiding some pretty nasty corrosion underneath. When you’re already dealing with weakened or badly offset joints, that liner can just end up failing sooner rather than later.
I do have to say, though, sometimes chemical root killers can buy a bit of time if you’re in a bind and can’t dig right away. But yeah, they’re never a permanent fix. I always worry about safety with those chemicals anyway—never feels great putting that stuff into the system, especially near older pipes.
Curious if anyone’s tried using root-resistant pipe materials during replacements? I’ve heard mixed things about how well they hold up over the years. Does it really make a difference, or are roots just too persistent no matter what you use?
I get where you’re coming from on the chemical root killers—always feels like a bit of a gamble, especially if you’re worried about older pipes leaching stuff into the soil. I actually went with HDPE pipe when I had to replace a section last year. The plumber swore up and down that roots just can’t get through the welded joints, and so far, so good. But honestly, I’ve seen neighbors with PVC still get root issues at the connections after a few years. Maybe it’s more about how well it’s installed than the material itself? Roots are sneaky little things...
