Septic tank roots

[donh]

Help! I have a problem with roots growing in my septic tank. What do you recommend to kill them and prevent them from coming back? Thanks

[Toller]

Deep down, you already know the answer; don't you?

[Al Bundy]

"Toller" wrote in news:%oVXh.7272$B25.1604 @news01.roc.ny:

Thought I read some place about salt is the best thing. Don't know the details. And, where I read it was on the Internet so, it must be true huh?

[Jackson]

I would treat whatever the roots are attached to with a dose of RoundUp, of course if you want to keep whatever the roots are attached to then move your septic field.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

It was dump a bag of salt in a basement sink and let it dissolve slowly. I don't know if it affects septic systems, the guy that did it was on city sewer. He did it once a year.

[hallerb]

rock salt DEFINETELY KILLS ROOTS while leaving the offending plant or tree unhurt:)

However, I DONT know the effect of rock salt on a septic tank.

[hallerb]

thats me although I do it a few times a year, top tree root growth is spring, just before trees leaf out.

I dont know what effect salt would have on a septic tank....

[Eigenvector]

I kind of have to question a thing or two here. If you have tree roots in your TANK, doesn't that imply that your septic tank is compromised and therefore leaking? I was under the impression that a leaking septic tank needed to be repaired ASAP.

[hallerb]

have a problem with roots growing in my septic tank. =A0 What do

roots can travel back from drainage field to tank..........

[Bert Byfield]

Or from the pipe that goes from the house to the tank. A water leak anywhere is sensed by the thirsty roots, and they will attack a wet spot. To start, Home Depot and Lowes etc have a root killer, blue crystals that will help. But you need to do some digging and find out where the water is being found by the tree to really solve this. Start by seeing if any roots are growing right into the tank's top door(s), which you should be using for inspection and pumping anyway. Then start digging up around the pipes until the roots stop getting into the tank.

[hallerb]

the blue crystals are copper sulphate, it kills. but wether its safe for septic tanks is another matter.

trees roots can travel a long ways for dependable water.

[Jackson]

Good catch - I just assumed the OP meant his field! Yes, if the tank is compromised it needs to be repaired/replaced.