UK gardening - shrinking tree roots blocking drainage pipe ?

Author

shrinking tree roots blocking drainage pipe ?

gentlegreen

2006-11-22, 1:25 pm

Dear URGlers,

I recently found that the water from my mum's roof was backing up and taking
an age to get down to the soakaway.

The offending tree has now been removed, but the clay drainage pipe is still
stuffed with roots.

Apart from diverting the water elsewhere and allowing the roots to dry and
shrink, I wonder how best to speed the process without major excavation.

The gunpowder option has been considered and discounted ;-)

Would Sodium chlorate or ammonium sulphamate expedite the situation ?

thanks ...

2006-11-22, 1:25 pm

gentlegreen <gentlegreengiantcalciumcarbonate@yahoo.co.uk> writes
>Dear URGlers,
>
>I recently found that the water from my mum's roof was backing up and taking
>an age to get down to the soakaway.
>
>The offending tree has now been removed, but the clay drainage pipe is still
>stuffed with roots.
>
>Apart from diverting the water elsewhere and allowing the roots to dry and
>shrink, I wonder how best to speed the process without major excavation.
>
>The gunpowder option has been considered and discounted ;-)
>
>Would Sodium chlorate or ammonium sulphamate expedite the situation ?
>
I presume you don't want to get a drainage company in? They can often
clear roots from inside without need for excavation, and can if required
line the pipes to help prevent re-occurrence.

Also, check buildings insurance - it may be covered under that, and if
so, getting in a drainage contractor may be the easiest option.
--
Kay

Rupert $W.Yorkshire$

2006-11-22, 1:25 pm

"gentlegreen" <gentlegreengiantcalciumcarbonate@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:Er%8h.5092$k74.4966@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Dear URGlers,
>
> I recently found that the water from my mum's roof was backing up and
> taking
> an age to get down to the soakaway.
>
> The offending tree has now been removed, but the clay drainage pipe is
> still
> stuffed with roots.
>
> Apart from diverting the water elsewhere and allowing the roots to dry and
> shrink, I wonder how best to speed the process without major excavation.
>
> The gunpowder option has been considered and discounted ;-)
>
> Would Sodium chlorate or ammonium sulphamate expedite the situation ?
>
> thanks ...
>
>
Ammonium sulphamate would only work if you don't flush the drain. If you can
get access to one end or the other you could use drain rods with a screw end
which might drill through the fibrous roots, allowing you to drag them out.
Do bear in mind that once the roots have shrunk and died they may leave
holes in the pipe.

Jim Paterson

2006-11-22, 8:25 pm

"K" <k@scarboro.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:xgJWDWCH9IZFFwCc@scarboro.demon.co.uk...
> gentlegreen <gentlegreengiantcalciumcarbonate@yahoo.co.uk> writes
> I presume you don't want to get a drainage company in? They can often
> clear roots from inside without need for excavation, and can if required
> line the pipes to help prevent re-occurrence.
>
> Also, check buildings insurance - it may be covered under that, and if so,
> getting in a drainage contractor may be the easiest option.
> --
> Kay
A treatment of caustic soda might do the trick. It certainly does with my
blocked downpipes on occasion.
be very careful and follow instructions as it can cause a nasty burn if it
gets on your skin.
Jim

gardenlen

2006-11-23, 5:25 pm

g'day gentlegree,

plumbers have a device called the plumbers eel they can put up a drain
to clear.

most equipment hire comapnies have them for hire as well so if you
have a little DIY knowledge you can do it yourself.

On Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:05:40 GMT, "gentlegreen"
<gentlegreengiantcalciumcarbonate@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.gardenlen.com

gentlegreen

2006-11-24, 9:25 am

"gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:t8tbm2tp4b2rufht5qm85stquf1vf8mija@4ax.com...
> g'day gentlegree,
>
> plumbers have a device called the plumbers eel they can put up a drain
> to clear.
>
> most equipment hire comapnies have them for hire as well so if you
> have a little DIY knowledge you can do it yourself.

Do you think it could tackle well-packed roots ?

Charlie Pridham

2006-11-24, 9:25 am

"gentlegreen" <gentlegreengiantcalciumcarbonate@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in
message news:XVy9h.5979$k74.1601@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>
> "gardenlen" <gardenlen2@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:t8tbm2tp4b2rufht5qm85stquf1vf8mija@4ax.com...
>
> Do you think it could tackle well-packed roots ?
>
Only just looked in on this thread, so if its all been said before my
apologies.
I have my own set of drain rods (don't remember them being that expensive)
and selection of tools that screw onto the ends, one a sort of double helix
screw, can be screwed into the roots until solid then pulled, you get large
lumps of root each time you do it. So long as you always turn the rods so
all the joints tighten not loosen its very easy work (if occasionally a bit
smelly!)

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea

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