PVC’s definitely a game changer compared to the old clay stuff. I’ve seen roots bust right through terracotta like it’s nothing, especially from maples and willows. One thing I’m curious about—did you have to dig up the whole line, or did you just replace sections where it was worst? Sometimes folks just patch the problem spots, but I’ve always wondered if that really holds up long term.
Sometimes folks just patch the problem spots, but I’ve always wondered if that really holds up long term.
I’ve wondered about that too. From what I’ve seen on jobs, patching just the worst sections can be a bit of a gamble. If the rest of the clay is old and brittle, roots usually find their way back in through another weak spot. It’s like playing whack-a-mole with leaks and blockages.
Step-by-step, the full replacement is a pain—digging up the whole line, dealing with landscaping, all that—but it seems to save headaches down the road. PVC joints are way tighter, and roots just don’t get through unless there’s a bad install or a crack. I’ve seen some folks try those internal pipe liners too, but they’re not always a fix-all, especially if the pipe’s already collapsed in spots.
If it’s just a small section and the rest looks solid, maybe a patch works for a while. But if you’re already digging, I’d lean toward swapping out as much as you can. Just my two cents from crawling around in a few muddy trenches...
I’ve seen a few folks try to get away with just patching the worst bits, but it always seems like the roots sniff out the next weak spot sooner or later. Had a job last month where we patched one section, and sure enough, six months later, roots were back two feet down the line. Ever tried using root killer treatments after a patch? I’ve heard mixed things—some swear by it, others say it’s just a band-aid. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that stuff long-term...
Root killer’s kind of a mixed bag in my experience. Gave it a shot after fixing a cracked clay line at my uncle’s place—worked for maybe a year, but then roots found their way back in. Honestly, unless you go full-on replacement or lining, it feels like you’re just buying time. Those trees are relentless.
Yeah, root killer’s one of those things that sounds great on paper but rarely holds up long-term, especially with older clay lines. I’ve had similar luck—maybe a year or two of peace, then the roots just muscle their way back in. Did you ever try mechanical augering before going for chemical treatments? Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth combining both, or if that’s just doubling up on temporary fixes. Lining or full replacement is a big investment, but it’s the only thing that’s really stuck for me. Those old trees don’t mess around.