Tim Carter, of AsktheBuilder.com, demonstrates a clever method that prevents tree roots from entering an underground sewer or septic line.

Video Transcription

Spring time is that time of year when the trees start to bloom out, the leaves come out, but also accompanying that, is aggressive root growth under the ground and that cause a lot of trouble with homes around the area when those tree roots try to get in to sewer lines. It happens all the time and there is a way to stop it permanently at your home. Imagine if we were small enough that we could fit down inside the sewer line. Here is what you should see in the spring time. The tree roots come into the pipe and they clog it up and it makes a really big mesh. We are going to stop those roots before they become a problem. I like to use a hand-operated auger which simply draws a hole into the soil about 2-1/2 inches in diameter. I then use a 1-1/2 PVC pipe and a cap on the top of that pipe that allows us to get into the pipe in the future if we want to put more of the root killing copper sulfate crystals down into the pipe. We are going to stop the drill about 2 feet above sewer line because we want to poison the soil above and around that sewer pipe. You are going to need extensions on that auger that allows you to drill deeper and deeper. Once the hole is drilled, it is time to insert the pipe which is going to allow us to pour the copper sulfate down into it, not only today but in years to come if the roots come back. Simply drop the pipe into the hole until it gets all the way to the bottom. Okay, what I did is I put that pipe so that the tap of it is just flash with the surface of the ground. You can actually open this plug up and pour the copper sulfate crystals down into the bottom of the pipe. Go ahead and take some hot water and pour it in. that helps to dissolve the crystals into the soil. A couple of things you need to know before you get into this job. To locate your sewer line, get some help from your local sewer district. They will be able to possibly tell you where the sewer line is and how deep it is. If not contact the plumbers, sometimes they have equipment that will locate the sewer line and the depth of it. Finally, before you drill, make sure you locate all underground utilities, that means, electric, cable TV, telephone, natural gas, waterlines, you do not want to hit one of those lines that cost a lot of money to repair. I am Tim Carter of Ask The Builder. If you want to discover more home improvement tips, go to AskTheBuilder.com.