Root in toilet drainage pipe.

Rachel021967

We've had a blocked toilet. I opened up the drain cover and discovered roots in the drainage pipes. I've cleaned out what I could and have removed the blockage but there is one root left that is so embedded I can't pull it out. Any ideas on how to get rid of it. Can I put weed killer down the toilet? Also how do I find out what plant is causing the problem?

kingshir

Any idea what the root is attached to? Is it something that could be cut down and killed (to stop it keep growing in the drain). Could you reach it with a good sharp hoe (or the like) to scrape/chop it into pieces? Putting weedkiller down the toilet won't help and I think it might be illegal too! Hope someone can come up with a surefire solution for you.

NastyMatt

Is the pipe within your boundaries? if it is not get the council to sort it, if it is then get it sorted. A collapsed drainage pipe will cost thousands.

FirstClassMale

The first thing to say is that even if you do get rid of this root then there will still need to be a new pipe layed as there is a breach in it.

How big is the root? does it look like a tree root? Look at the direction it is coming into the pipe then look to see what it might be attached to, if there is a Willow tree nearby then that is your most likely culprit. Willow trees are famous for their roots invading pipes. The way to kill a tree should you need to is, once it has been felled to a stump around 4 inches high, drill into the stump to make a large hole, add sodium chlorate in chrystal form(do not dilute) until it is nearly level with the top then apply "plumbers mait" or another kind of putty to seal the hole. The tree will take in the poison and, over time, the roots will wither back. This will take a while but it will stop any regrowth from the tree.

bluekp

You could send a sample of the root to EPSL (European Plant Science Laboratories) / Marishal Thompson for testing - not sure how much it would cost though and it's important to send your root sample in paper packaging not plastic as plastic causes a build up of starch and makes it difficult to test.

xx

Phil37

Hello. The root problem you have my only be a minor problem. I run a drain cleaning and repair service in Leicestershire. The roots can be removed with high pressure water by jetting the drain line or with the root cutter, inspection with a drain c.c.t.v unit to check joints and condition of pipe. If the roots are gaining access to the pipe though a damaged joint or pipe it is possable to repair the pipe with out digging the drain up by installing a patch liner to the damaged area. hope this helps

aylesby

When we had a similar problem our combined house and contents insurers paid for a camera test and then instructed their drain contractor to fix the problem.
We only paid the insurance excess.

rabialiones

aylesby wrote:

When we had a similar problem our combined house and contents insurers paid for a camera test and then instructed their drain contractor to fix the problem.
We only paid the insurance excess.

i have tree roots coming into cellar, tree belongs to council as it is on front pavement. council say that they will only deal with it thru my house insurers.
my insurance company will not deal with matter, saying this is not covered, although i even have legal cover.
please help with any advice or info as to what i can do.
thanks!

Nile

Hello Phil37


Welcome to the MSE site.:wave: