Homeowners may try various strategies to deal with tree roots in the sewer line. They might try flushing copper sulfate crystals down the toilet occasionally, for example. A problem with this method is that it works slowly and may take a month to kill the roots. Afterward, the homeowner must typically call residential plumbing services in San Diego, CA anyway to clear the tangle of dead roots from the line. Flushing the crystals two or three times a year may prevent new growth, but it’s not foolproof.
Copper sulfate is toxic to humans and animals, and even the fumes can be harmful. Some experts recommend opening the windows before using the substance and leaving the house for several hours after flushing. It’s essential to keep the crystals out of the reach of pets and children. For all these reasons, people may be wary of using it.
Homeowners should do their best to avoid flushing anything that could catch on tree roots and accumulate in the line, such as tampons, sanitary wipes, and dental floss. This may work well when only the people who live in the house use the bathroom, but with guests it’s unpredictable. Even if requested to use a waste basket to dispose of these materials, they still may flush instead. It may be from a force of habit, or they may not believe that flushing one sanitary wipe could cause a sewer backup. They may also feel that a wastebasket just isn’t discreet enough, even if there’s a supply of small brown paper bags available.
Unfortunately, flushing one sanitary wipe can lead to problems if it gets caught in the roots. It can block toilet paper and waste material from moving forward. Then, the unpleasant episode occurs in which a basement drain or another drain in the house backs up. The homeowner must call residential plumbing services in San Diego, CA for emergency service.
A plumber from a company such as Pride Plumbing Inc can come to the house once a year and clear roots from the sewer pipe using mechanical tools or high-pressure water jetting, or both. This is a better solution than the other choices, which tend to only delay the inevitable.
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