Yeah, maples can be sneaky like that... they look amazing, but man, their roots don't mess around. Had something similar happen with a willow in our backyard—roots crept toward the patio quicker than I expected. Ended up digging a trench and putting in a root barrier. Wasn't fun at first, but totally worth it to save the pavers. Good call on the geotextile fabric though; sounds like you're ahead of the game now.
Yeah, willow roots are no joke either. Had a client once whose willow roots actually cracked their septic line—talk about a messy surprise. Root barriers definitely help, but sometimes it's just delaying the inevitable. Curious if anyone's tried copper sulfate or other root-killing treatments as a preventive measure... heard mixed things about effectiveness and safety for the tree itself.
Had a similar issue with maple roots invading the sewer line at one of my rentals. Tried copper sulfate once—here's how it went: first, flushed it down the toilet as instructed, waited a few weeks, and then had the line scoped. Roots were definitely reduced, but not completely gone. Didn't notice any harm to the tree itself, but I've heard mixed reviews too... maybe depends on dosage or frequency? Curious if anyone else has seen long-term success with repeated treatments.
I've used copper sulfate a few times at different properties, and honestly, it's more of a maintenance thing than a one-and-done solution. Regular treatments every 6-12 months seem to keep the roots manageable. Never noticed tree damage either, but I wouldn't go overboard with dosage...
"Regular treatments every 6-12 months seem to keep the roots manageable."
Yeah, that's pretty much spot-on from my experience too. Copper sulfate can help, but it's definitely not a permanent fix. One thing I'd add—always double-check your septic or plumbing materials before using it. I've seen copper sulfate corrode certain older metal pipes over time, which can turn a minor root issue into a bigger plumbing headache down the line. PVC or modern piping usually handles it fine, but you never know what's underground unless you've checked yourself. Better safe than sorry...
