Tree Roots Cause Trouble for Pennsylvania Couple.

By Seth Buchanan | June 18, 2009

An interesting story out of Pennsyvania. An elderly couple in Harrisburg had major root intrusion. In 2003 they paid $3000 to replace a pipe. The roots regrew so fast that they intruded into the pipe within 6 years. At that point, the couple again paid over $5300 to replace the pipe again. $8300 total! And that is for an elderly couple on a fixed income!

RootX is made for situations like this. An average annual treatment that costs around $100, maybe more or less depending on what is included. $100 a year is a lot cheaper than replacing the pipe.

Are You Still Considering Using Copper Sulfate For Sewer Root Control?

By Seth Buchanan | May 20, 2009

Finding the right root control product is a lot like Goldilocks finding her porridge. Some are too hot, some are too cold, and some are just right. The 3 main residential root control products are Metam Sodium, Copper Sulfate and Dichlobenil (RootX). Find out more here on those 3 products.

Metam Sodium is product that requires much licensing and protective gear to apply because of the toxicity and hazardous nature of the product. It will definitely kill the roots it comes across, and pretty much anything else it comes across! Due to those factors it is not an inexpensive option. Many times replacing the pipe is more reasonable and the heavy chemicals don’t need to be used. In other words, it’s too hot.

Copper Sulfate is a multi-use product that can be found at any gardening, hardware, or farm supply store. It can basically be used for anything. It is commonly found in hair dye products, pyrotechnics, a footbath for cattle, and as an herbicide and pesticide. Oddly enough, it is also the most common sewer root control product due to it’s availability and low cost. The only thing is the effectiveness. It is moderately effective when it comes in contact with the roots. The problem is getting it in contact with the roots. Roots grow from the top down and don’t like being submerged in water. Copper Sulfate stays in the water, so unless you can get the water to fill up the pipe the product will then only moderately work. In addition, states such as Connecticut and California have banned the product due to its heavy metal toxicity in water. In other words, it’s too cold.

According to Reeves Journal, “Dichlobenil is an aquatic herbicide approved by the EPA that kills root systems within an hour of contact.” Dichlobenil is the active ingredient in RootX. RootX packages the Dichlobenil with surfactants and foaming agents to first break down anything on the root and then deliver the herbicide to the root. Likewise, there are no state regulations prohibiting the use of Dichlobenil. In other words, it’s not overdone, or underdone, but it’s just right!

Comparatively speaking RootX and copper sulfate cost about the same for a year’s worth of treatment. RootX is guaranteed to be more effective. Professionals use RootX, and you should too.

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