Have you ever seen roots like this under a toilet?

[Pman6]

I can't tell where these are coming from. The drain is clear and there are no roots coming through the inside of the drain. There are no bushes outside. The neighbor's bushes are higher in elevation behind a concrete wall, and 15ft away.

How do i kill it to prevent it from growing back?

These are just scattered under the toilet, sipping the toilet water from the failed wax ring.


I was kind of shocked at first because I thought I had a root clog.
But the clog was actually caused by flushed baby asswipes. Bullet dodged.

 

[Sylvan]

Seen it a few times

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

How do i kill it to prevent it from growing back?

I wonder if a systemic herbicide on the roots would do it, to kill the plant that is sending the roots. These roots are probably gone, but if you see it again, you might consider the herbicide. I would tend to think you would like the roots to remain moist while the liquid herbicide is being absorbed.
https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/rbogren/articles/page1534450219253

 

[Jeff H Young]

yep I seen it .
run snake jet and camera.

 

[FullySprinklered]

Years ago, I had one where the wax ring had been replaced by fine roots. I was called in because the toilet bowl wouldn't keep water. As it turned out, the rooter people had popped a hole just out of sight in the lower curve of the trap and the water just took a short cut and ran out the hole.

 

[hj]

LOTS of times. Sometimes they look like something from outer space in a Bugs Bunny cartoon

 

[GL77]

I'm curious how this happens, are these on a slab foundation?

 

[FullySprinklered]

The roots enter a break in the pipe and grow in both directions in a nicely watered and fertilized environment.

 

[Pman6]

yeah, this is a concrete slab.

these roots went far to find water. hot damn.


It appears that roots are not deterred by wax, and will drill right through them. Maybe that's why my wax ring was destroyed.

Anyway, I got some copper sulfate and table salt, and poured a bunch around the edge of the flange.

hopefully this will keep them away.

someone should invent a wax ring with root killer built into it.

 

[Travis K]

The roots enter a break in the pipe and grow in both directions in a nicely watered and fertilized environment.

The roots be like NOM NOM NOM