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Two different plumbers have stated that we have, about 3 feet under the house, a sewer pipe that has tree roots invading, and that this is the reason for our frequent clogs.

The fix for this is not something I can afford right now. In the meantime, I would like to know what less expensive temporary fixes exist, either DIY or professional, should a clog happen again.

I'm a little confused because the three times the clog has happened in the last three years, the plumbers did things that cost me upwards of a thousand dollars, but they told me if I had an external cleanout it would be cheaper. So I got an external cleanout. But the latest plumber who came for a routine camera sweep through the pipes, stated that once the clog happens again (and we have started hearing gurgles, so it's coming), if we're not repairing the pipe itself, it'll be jetting (which I swear is what the plumbers did before as well) and will cost upwards of $1000.

Am I likely doomed to pay $1000 a year or so until I finally pay for the thing to get actually fixed? No cheaper temporary bandaids available?

isherwood
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user3752935
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6 Answers6

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Buy a snake and learn how to use it. You can buy a fairly decent main-line cable and motor unit from discount import tool retailers. A couple hundred bucks and some time to practice and learn will be your investment. This would be the cheapest way to keep the "stuff" flowing until you save up for a complete replacement or re-line operation.

Hopefully you watched (and presumably learned a bit) when the line was cabled previously. It's a bit physical, and there is some risk when operating powered rotating equipment, but it was one of my best investments until I invested in replacing our old clay line (which had continuous root incursion at every 6' joint over a 30' distance).

Jimmy Fix-it
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Have you considered doing part of the labour yourself for the permanent fix? If you can locate and safely dig down and around the sewer pipe (ie being sure there are no gas/water/electricity lines above it) by hand that should reduce the quote for the replacement.

The quote for the permanent fix involves not only purchasing and laying the new pipe, disposing of the old pipe but also the digging to the pipe including the rental of a digger and other associated costs. You're paying a specialist a specialist wage to dig a hole.

ChrisFletcher
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If it's only tree roots, you can go to the nearest TSC and pick up a bottle of Foaming Root Killer for about $25. Put that in the cleanout and chase it with a bucket of water. Do it every 6 months and you'll never have roots in the pipe again.

Robert Chapin
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This is a tough situation but ultimately a perfect example of penny wise and dollar foolish. As you said your temporary fixes are just causing you to incur a reoccurring fee indefinitely which obviously will end up costing much more than the proper fix in the long run.

Most companies will offer financing, often completely interest free. Once the roots get into your pipes the problem is only going to get worse over time.

jesse_b
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I'm not sure how common it is but I've seen solutions where a flexible hose pulled through the pipe, which is inflated and hardened chemically (kind of like a 2-part epoxy.) This breaks the old pipe and creates a new seamless pipe in its place. Again, I'm not sure whether this kind of service is generally available in any given area, but it might be worth looking into as an alternative to digging.

JimmyJames supports Canada
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When I bought my 300+ year old colonial, I too was plagued by roots. Purchased a machine and clean the line every 2 yrs.

mario
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