However, in most cases they are not necessary.”Ī more permanent idea would be to dig a root barrier trench between the trees and the septic system. The products are normally not harmful and may even have a limited beneficial effect. “The bottom line is that the manufacturers of the root control products and many other products that “extend the life of” or “improve” septic systems are using peoples fear and lack of understanding of their on-site system to sell products. “I also have an issue with loading the soil with copper which is a hazardous metal. I would guess tree roots would behave similarly. There was a concentration of roots at the trench-soil interface since there was abundant water and nutrients (the grass is greener over the drainfield). “I have no real data to support this hypothesis, but I have excavated a few systems under grass, and there were no grass roots in the pipe or even in the gravel. Root growth is not my specialty, but I do not think large tree roots would grow around the pipe to the bottom and up through holes to clog the line, especially since there is probably wastewater ponded in the trench (not a failure this is the way the system works). “Current drainfields may or may not have a pipe and if they have a pipe, it is solid plastic with holes on the bottom side that is surrounded by gravel or a man-made aggregate (at least 4 inches on top and bottom and 16” on each side). Roots had an opportunity to get into the line through the spaces between tiles. I think at one time roots may have been a problem, but that was at the time that clay tiles with spaces between the tiles were used for the drainfield. I have heard reports that they do, but they are very infrequent. “The basic question is if roots interfere with the onsite drainfield lines. Larry West, who IS a soil scientist says: Instead, find the distribution box that connects the main tank to the several drain field lines and put the chemical there, following the label directions.ĭr. The crystals will likely settle to the bottom of the tank, where they don’t do you any good and they could inhibit the vital bacterial action inside the tank. If you want to try it, do not flush the chemical down the toilet or down any drain inside the house. Nonetheless, this factsheet from Oklahoma describes its use. Copper sulfate is a time-honored method of clearing roots but I can find no scientific research that says it actually works. Can these products really make a difference?Ī: I am neither a plumber or soil scientist so I can’t answer your question with any expertise. Q: Yearly we use a product that says it clears our septic tank lines of tree roots.
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