BruceH
New Member
I'm looking for some advice.
Started having trouble in my main sewer line a few weeks ago and while I could get a snake with a small bit through, anything larger wouldn't go. Quickly realized that the landscaper for the builder planted a large tree directly on top of the sewer line. Tree and house are now around 12 years old and the Sissoo tree was already 40' tall and that type is known for invasive root issues. Dug up the line near the tree and found it encased in roots in some areas, so I cut down the tree and cut the roots away from the pipes and found no damage in that immediate area. But the first blockage in the pipe was around 15' toward the house so I started digging back that direction. I expected to find an area where roots were getting into the pipe but instead found that in some areas the ABS pipe was being crushed by the roots. The pipe is flattened in these areas and has some leakage including a fine crack running along the top in one area.
One significant problem I have is that pipe runs along the edge of a sidewalk and under a concrete pad that is around 4'-4.5' across and a some of the damaged areas are under that pad. I've dug a hole under that pad and could pull a new pipe through but there isn't much room for more than that. The root is following the pipe in this area, running directly underneath it. The root has also lifted the pipe in this section resulting in a slight negative slope and the root is up to 5" across.
My dilemma is, does the root need to come out or could I just cut out the old pipe and put the new one back on top of the root. Since the tree is gone, I assume the root wouldn't damage any further. But it also means a slight negative slope in that one area. Any suggestions on how to get rid of the root without tearing out the concrete pad? Another issue is a layer of caliche directly under the root (which is why it probably was able to push the pipe up and crush it. Cutting these roots is difficult and I ruined two chainsaw chains and cutting at them and my sawzall blades keep getting gummed up. I wondered if there was a way to just grind the root down in the high area. Would a plumber normally work by tunneling under the pad or just rip it out completely.
What do you think a plumber would charge to finish the job (in the Phoenix, AZ area)?
Pictures below. Red ovals around areas crushed by the roots.
Thanks,
Bruce
Started having trouble in my main sewer line a few weeks ago and while I could get a snake with a small bit through, anything larger wouldn't go. Quickly realized that the landscaper for the builder planted a large tree directly on top of the sewer line. Tree and house are now around 12 years old and the Sissoo tree was already 40' tall and that type is known for invasive root issues. Dug up the line near the tree and found it encased in roots in some areas, so I cut down the tree and cut the roots away from the pipes and found no damage in that immediate area. But the first blockage in the pipe was around 15' toward the house so I started digging back that direction. I expected to find an area where roots were getting into the pipe but instead found that in some areas the ABS pipe was being crushed by the roots. The pipe is flattened in these areas and has some leakage including a fine crack running along the top in one area.
One significant problem I have is that pipe runs along the edge of a sidewalk and under a concrete pad that is around 4'-4.5' across and a some of the damaged areas are under that pad. I've dug a hole under that pad and could pull a new pipe through but there isn't much room for more than that. The root is following the pipe in this area, running directly underneath it. The root has also lifted the pipe in this section resulting in a slight negative slope and the root is up to 5" across.
My dilemma is, does the root need to come out or could I just cut out the old pipe and put the new one back on top of the root. Since the tree is gone, I assume the root wouldn't damage any further. But it also means a slight negative slope in that one area. Any suggestions on how to get rid of the root without tearing out the concrete pad? Another issue is a layer of caliche directly under the root (which is why it probably was able to push the pipe up and crush it. Cutting these roots is difficult and I ruined two chainsaw chains and cutting at them and my sawzall blades keep getting gummed up. I wondered if there was a way to just grind the root down in the high area. Would a plumber normally work by tunneling under the pad or just rip it out completely.
What do you think a plumber would charge to finish the job (in the Phoenix, AZ area)?
Pictures below. Red ovals around areas crushed by the roots.
Thanks,
Bruce
