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SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK

INSPECTING SEPTIC DRAINFIELDS
  SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
  DISPOSAL CLOGGING FAILURES
  DISPOSAL vs TREATMENT
  SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
  SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
  SOIL CONDITIONS
  PLANTS OVER SEPTICS
     Gardens Near Septics
     Grasses or Flowers
     Grazing, Animals
     Ground Cover, Ivy
     Trees or Shrubs
     Using Root Killers
     Using a Roto Rooter
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Using Root Killers or Chemicals Over Septic System Components - an illustrated guide
SepticAPedia ^©

Using root killers or roto-rooters for septic systems

Advice for planting over or near septic systems

Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

Using Root Killers or Chemicals In Septic Drainfields, Mounds, Raised Beds, Septic Tanks and other Septic Components

This is part of our guide for homeowners who are planting trees, shrubs, gardens, ground cover, or other plants near a septic system and who need to know that can be planted near or over septic system components like the septic tank, distribution box, and drain field or soil absorption system. Planting the wrong things or in the wrong places can lead to the need for expensive septic system repairs. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

Using Root Killers to "Un-Clog" Septic Pipes or to "Prevent Septic System Clogging"

We advise against using chemicals or caustics to "kill" tree or other plant roots which may be present in or near septic system components. People fearing that roots will clog or have already clogged their septic system piping, particularly drainfield piping, are tempted to buy these products. This is another example of a "magic bullet" that does not work, is dangerous, contaminates the environment, and is illegal in some jurisdictions.

Root killers as environmental pollutants: First, using a chemical to kill or to "prevent" invasion of roots in septic piping means you are pouring toxic chemicals and contaminants into the ground water - into the environment, and possibly right into your own or someone else's well and drinking water. This is a bad idea and is prohibited in many communities.

Root killers as a magic bullet to repair a septic system: Second, if septic drainfield or other pipes are already clogged or partly clogged with tree or other plant roots, even if you killed the roots in the pipe you're leaving the clogging material.

If piping in a septic system has become root-clogged, it is often the case that not only are the pipes clogged, they may be dislocated or even broken by the growing tree roots. You may find you've contaminated the environment, left the clog in place, and wasted your money since you'll still end up digging up the clogged line to replace it. [The photograph above is a simulation of pouring a chemical into the septic system through a toilet. Don't do this.]

Use links just below or throughout our website links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Links to articles on plants or animals over septic system components:
PLANTS OVER SEPTICS
   Gardens Near Septics
   Grasses or Flowers
   Grazing, Animals
   Ground Cover, Ivy
   Trees or Shrubs
   Using Root Killers
   Using a Roto Rooter

The Septic Systems Online Book - Where Are We?

This Chapter: SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
Next Chapter: PERC TESTS
First Chapter: SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.

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CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting