Expert: dispatcher bob - 8/14/2006

Question
I received an email saying my follow-up question had been answered, but I can't find the answer to my second question.  Here it is, again:

Thanks for your quick response.  Yes, my bottle of Roebic's 77 Root Killer also said it's safe to use yearly.  My question was: is it safe to
use more often than yearly?  Since the gurgling has continued, I have used it every 3-4 months -- and wanted to make sure it's okay to use
that frequently.  Thanks.


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Followup To

Question -
I've been in my home about a year.  In October 2005, while using the washing machine, the water output from the washer came up through the bathtub drain.  I hired a plumber who went into the crawl space with a machine that removed tree roots from the pipes.  He also recommended using a Root Killer periodically to keep the pipes clean.  I have used Roebic's K-77 Root Killer (which is recommended for use every 6-12 months).  However, since the plumber "cleared the pipes" mechnanically, I have heard water "gurling" in the bathtub drain every 3-4 months (no water comes up -- just "gurgling"), so I've used the Root Killer, every 3-4 months, instead of the recommended 6-12 months.

MY QUESTION:  How often can I use the Roebic's Root Killer safely, without damaging the pipes?  I don't remember what kind of pipes I have but since the plumber worked on them and he recommended the root killer, I assume it's safe to use on my pipes.  Just how frequently it can be used safely, though, is my question.  Or, is there a better solution?

I have a city sewer system -- not a septic tank.

Answer -
Hello
 We use ROOT-X they both work towards the same end result. I copied the following from Roebic.

Roebic Root Killer (K 77) kills roots in pipes and stops new growth. Yearly treatment eliminates the job of clearing pipes. Works year round without harming surrounding trees, ground cover or natural bacteria content of septic tanks or cesspools. Safe for all plumbing and plastic pipes.
Active ingredient: Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate 99%; Inert ingredients: 1.0 %
SINCE MOST ROOTS GROW THE MOST IN THE FALL AND SPRING AND I TEND TO BELIEVE MORE IN FALL.
Here is root-x info root-x.com.
RootX is a highly flexible root treatment, making it the total solution for root intrusion. Simply adding water to RootX activates the root-killing foam. Used directly from the jar or 20 lb. bag or with the FDU (Foam Dispersal Unit), RootX treats municipal pipelines, residential service laterals and septic systems effectively.

Neither should harm pipes. But I think most roots tend to grow into a sewer system when it is extremely dry or lack of moisture, they search for water, this is why they tend to grow more in fall, winter most trees are dormant.
The gurgling you hear could be a problem developing, when we apply root-x it is usually after we have cleaned drains with blades and have exposed parts of roots, then they have a 1 year warranty against roots, AND WE CAMERA ANNUALLY TO SEE HOW IT IS HELPING. We camera when we clean drain, and when we come back to apply root-x we camera again to make sure we are treating properly and roots are at a minimal intrusion. The camera is free with applications.
I would keep an eye on the gurgling. There is something going on there.
I hope this helps. We sell root-x online.
DB   www.espmetro.com    www.dispatcherbob.com  

Answer
Hello
  I guess I should have been a little more specific, I tend to believe ONCE A YEAR IS ENOUGH AS THEY ONLY REALLY ROOT TOWARDS SPRING AND FALL. I also think it is up to the individual how much money you want to waste, Yearly or annual means ONCE. I was simply explaining the way we do it, to the manufacturers specs. If you choose do more often then do so I answered the question IT WILL NOT HURT YOUR PIPES.