2 Things To Do If You Suspect That Your Plumbing Problems Are Caused By Tree Roots
A sewer line that is starting to clog up could be caused by a lot of things. One of those things is tree roots. While you might not think that the things in a sewer line are all that yummy, trees may think so. That's because there are some raw nutrients that the trees can use as well as moisture. That means that the roots that sense moisture and nutrients will "feel" the sewer line and grow towards it, especially if there are any microscopic leaks or imperfections in the pipe. However, you can't automatically assume that the problems with your pipe are caused by tree roots.
Cameras
One way to find out if it is tree roots is to call a plumber out and have them check it out. One way for them to do that is to send down fiber optic cameras. They do this by snaking a long fiber optic cable down through your sewer pipes. The camera should have a light on it so that the plumbers can see what the camera sees when they are watching it on a monitor. The plumber will be able to find out if tree roots are infiltrating your sewer pipes or if there is another problem. If it is tree roots, you are going to need to do some work so that the roots don't burst through your pipes.
Killing the Roots
One thing that you are going to have to do is kill off the root that is affecting your sewer pipes. The tree should be able to handle the loss of one or two roots without sustaining damage, especially if it is an otherwise healthy tree. There are a couple of things that you can use to do it. One is that you can use a prepared tree root killing product. You flush that down your toilet and it will start to attack the tree root. Those products usually have copper sulfate in them. Another option is to use epsom salts. Again, you can flush down an amount of epsom salts. You shouldn't flush it all down at once, you risk the product not all getting down. Instead, flush down a bit at a time until you have sent the recommended amount down your pipes.
After you have found out what is causing the problem and gotten rid of the root, the plumber will apprise you of your next options. For more information, contact local professionals like Gold Seal Plumbing.