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I have a grey water drain (70mm diameter) that has roots growing in it. I can rod the first foot, and that's it. Looking for some chemical that will work to clear them, as physical removal is nigh on impossible. The pipework leads to a septic tank, where the bacteria live on all the sewerage that arrives in a different tube, so anything which kills them isn't such a good idea.

Hoping there's a chemical which will dissolve the roots, but still be kind to the bacteria. Digging up the pipe isn't easy - concrete has been put over the ground above it.

Tim
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Roots do not grow in pipes they need to be connected to something outside the pipe such as a tree. However they will invade when there is a break in the line and flourish as it is a great source of moisture. Removing the roots will be at best a temporary solution unless the plant is modified or removed. At this point I think you have to make a choice between the tree or the drain. The odds are high even if you remove the roots they will come back from there existing source or another, plants want water.

Good Luck, I hope it works out for you.

Gil
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You local hardware store should have a copper sulfate "Root killer" product sold for putting in drains to kill roots.

As others have noted, it will affect the tree/shrub that is invading your pipe. And it may grow back.

DaveM
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