What do you use to cut tree roots?

  • Im bored, so figured i would ask...I see there are alot of westcoasters on here. Around here (East coast) we see alot of curb traps, fresh air inlets in the middle of the lawns or cleanouts on the lawns.. Same thing out there???We see alot of tree root clogs out here, obvisously our #1 blockages, tampons/baby wipes being #2.We offer a program strictly for the removal of roots. We will cut the roots with a cable, then video inspect the line. Alot of Terra Cotta pipe in this area, so usually you run into roots in every joint. After video inspection, we will keep the camera in the line, put the water jetter in there with a warthog nozzle. Put the nozzle up to the joint and keep the camera about a ft. away from the nozzle. Watch the warthog do its job. After all removal of roots in the joint, we go to the next. After cutting all the roots out of the system we then apply 2-4 pds or Root X in the line. We will give a 1yr warranty on the line after the everything is said and done, as long is there are no major defects. Price to do that job, total $695. The warthog on the jetter for cutting roots is the best way IMO of cutting out roots. It has worked everytime..sometimes time consuming, but well worth it.After the inital root-elimination, we will sign the customer up for us to come out once a yr to install root x again to maintain the line, with a video inspection to insure everything is working.How do you guys do it out there...or even around here?Greg


  • I use a 2" U blade that I bend the ends out to really make it look like a "U". I've found that "C" type cutters tend to push the roots aside.


  • I dont need no K-60....rotflmao :D

    :eek:
    http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/15497P1040005.JPG

    Wow, you got lucky! Why didn't you use the 7500 in the background? That machine is a bit undersized for main drains.


  • I found a 20 footer in a 6" storm line once. I thought it was a world record until I read All Clears post. :(


  • Gobby, Robert/westcoast started a trend where we show ourselves so everyone can see who we are. This might not be the best idea in your case. You were shooting for funny and got pathetic. Please cover up.


  • i'm not a licensed plumber but i think it means that sometimes you should "search" before opening a new thread and repeating a sometimes dumb or redundant question.

    steve


  • true, a video inspection is the best and only way to truly know the condition of the pipe. unfortunately the customer is not going to spend $695.00 for this service every time.

    the warthog with the right jetter connected is the best for roots, grease, mud.

    i just did a cleaning of a 36 unit complex with 7- 4'' and 6'' clean outs. i used a 1.25'' sectional machine (general):eek: sorry ridgid;).

    the cutter i used was a 4'' x 6'' expanding cutter. since i have never snaked this complex. i did suggest to video it and map it out. they do preventative once a year. unfortunately they didn't want to pay the cost of videoing the lines.

    well with 5 hours of snaking and dragging 110' of sectional cable around the pool patios, i was finished.

    jetting would have been easier, but access for my trailer jetter was too awkward.

    final cost was under the $695. and that was doing all 7 lines. my next bid is to do all 36 units 4'' clean outs. on that project i will use my k-60 with a sawtooth cutter to run the 40' into the mains.

    my spiral sawtooth cutter is the cutter of choice for roots. i like the spiral design and the double cut row of teeth on both sides of the cutter. this helps in both feeding and retrieval cutting in a clockwise rotation.

    for years i would use root-x and it typically would work fine.

    rick.


  • only times i've had a real issue is when i use the corkscrew retriever to grab things. that will wind itself out of a bad joint.

    if i need to use it, i will camera the line to see if it's safe. also i will use the camera to help hook a cable or a chain.

    i have broken off a cutter blade. but it's just like any other blade. there is a wear and tear factor.

    rick.

    I gotcha, how about when you use your retriever..do you use it on the machine, or do you manually put the cable in...I will usually have the camera in the line, then feed the sectional with a retriever up the line to the object, then use vice grips on the cable and manually twist the cable onto the object and retrieve that way...(knock on wood) has worked everytime..Greg


  • I don't know how to scan a picture to digital.


  • how about these roots. this is from a house that has sat unoccupied for 5 years on a street with huge ficus trees. ficus are the worst roots for us out here.

    my buddy steve had attempted to snake this main the day before and couldn't get it cleared. he ran his marco:eek: 3/4'' machine with asst. cutters and whips. pulled very little back and suggested to call me with my 1.25'' sectional general machine.

    so i went to it with assorted cutters and finally made it to 60'. eventually clearing it and then cleaning it with my custom 4'' x 6'' expanding cutters. brought back some nasty ficus roots.

    took 3 hours from start to finish and cleanup.

    i didn't want to use my trailer jetter as the lawn and plants were brand new and the waste water would have flooded the area.

    photos include my buddy steve and the on lookers.

    rick.


  • when called to a stoppage I normally when going through the main house trap use either the General super 90 or the Ridgid 750 with the root cutter head or the 2 U to start. 3/4" snake

    Very rare do I do a main sewer with the 1/2" snake and NEVER with a 3/8

    I then increase the head size until the snake cames back clean

    If I encounter lines over 6" or over 100' I use the electric eel 11/4 sectional


    Ahhh the electric eel...what a wonderfull machine...i used for years.. i miss that machine...that thing would go thru anything..

    Greg


  • Great pics Rick. Wow you had a pretty big audience out there :) Good job, i like the cutter blade...


  • Rick, why not use a jetter instead of the expanding cutter to clean the line throughly once the line was partially cleared? How are the expanding cutters to use intially? Are they better for just cleaning the pipe up? Those roots look nasty, glad we don't have those up here.

    the reason i didn't use the jetter instead of the cable was the lawn/ sod was only a couple of weeks old. with the jetter you would have lots of waste water coming up through the clean out and all over the new lawn and plants.

    also the cost to jet is more than cabling so i saved the owner the mess and extra expenses.

    ben i hope a jetter is not on your wish list:confused: your wife will put a "hit" out for me:eek:

    rick.


  • 1st time in I use a double headed root cutter.

    Next time in I use a backhoe.

    If it has roots it's broken.

    If it's broken it needs to be replaced.


  • Yummy, nice root ball rick;)


  • robert, a single cutter is my last choice if nothing else gets through. truthfully a single cutter has a better chance of getting stuck than a double cutter. if you drill a hole in the stoppage, the root ball will have a tuff time coming back through that hole.

    i used to use a 3 blade cutter, but the blades always seem to come off easy.

    i prefer the spiral root saw as it has yet to fail me. also i like a 4'' x 3'' offset cutter for 4'' pipe with offsets.

    a single cutter just doesn't cut it for me:rolleyes:

    comments mrs. westcoast:confused:

    rick.


    I find this very un-true, I have gotten stuck with a double blade, this is why I break it and use the 1/2 blade, not a problem rick, maybe something is wrong with my machine:confused::rolleyes:


  • I don't think I ever seen anyone so happy about sewer roots. Kinda looks like a new daddy Also the way you have the cables laid out all over the place. Can you say "law suit" One of the many formans on the job trip and fall " my back my back" better you than me.:D

    i was happy, the homeowner was thrilled and my buddy who spent 2 hours the the night before was glad it was fixed.

    as far as cable goes. the neighborhood was out there watching me work. don't think anyone wanted to get too close to the muck. the few people close were my buddy a plumbing contractor and his mechanic.

    their block party is end of the month and i'm invited.

    i'll be making root soup with my catch. very tasty:D

    rick.


  • http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/gobby_01/searchfirst9bc6hm.gif




    I don't get this, can someone please explain this blue thing to me??:confused::confused:


  • Rick, why not use a jetter instead of the expanding cutter to clean the line throughly once the line was partially cleared? How are the expanding cutters to use intially? Are they better for just cleaning the pipe up? Those roots look nasty, glad we don't have those up here.


  • for cutting roots I use the Ridgid 3 inch Double Cutter in a 4" main on my K-7500 http://www.ohiopowertool.com/images/rd92520.gif


  • I`m rebuilding a big old house and when I tried to clean the sewer it was a "no go" the old sewer was clay and had a 50` root mass 4" round :eek: Needless to say I had to replace 50` of the main line. I broke off the clay and had to use my saw to cut the 50` root mass in 1/2 so I could load it up to take it to the dump.
    Pretty bad when the worse sewer you have ever had is your own.....rotflmao

    Is that a typo? 50' root ball?!


  • I use a 3" root cutter then camera to to see if pipe is off set or damaged then send in a 4" root cutter if I can.
    Has anyone used the jetter heads for roots on e-bay? one has a chain the other has wire rope. They look like (the wire rope one anyway) they'd work but at $300-$400 I'm not too quick to try.


  • I'm trying to calculate my expenses to see what I'm getting next. I'm leaving VA in late 08 and don't know where I'm going next so I can't do a big investment. I'm ordering the k39 tonight, are you still going to buy it if I don't like it?:D Then I'm looking at a seesnake, then a jetter. My wife thinks all the guys, not just you get me to buy stuff. I ran out of stuff to buy on the AC side. I buy just one of everything not 10of the same thing unlike some people I know.:rolleyes::D


  • Wow, you got lucky! Why didn't you use the 7500 in the background? That machine is a bit undersized for main drains.
    I didn't know what I was getting in to till I got stuck and by then it was to late :D I pulled and pulled trying to make a few bends to get it back up a closet bend. I could push out but couldn't pull back so I knew I had snagged a big catch ;) I did the 50` line in just under 30min. :D


  • I wish I still had the picture of my dad standing next to his trophy 90 foot willow tree root monster. It actually made the paper back in the mid 60's. Of course me being in grade school really didn't want my friends seeing such a picture. Kids are cruel.

    Gary


  • any other questions we can discuss over dinner tomorrow:D

    rick.


    adam, what part of this didn't you understand:confused::D:rolleyes::eek:

    tell me tomorrow night.:cool:

    rick.


  • My boss has pictures of a 35' grease clog he cleared in Spain. The grease looks like logs sitting on 3 wheelbarrows. He used a rodder to get the grease out.

    WOW, now thats something to be proud of, seriously...any chance of getting those pics on here????


  • My boss has pictures of a 35' grease clog he cleared in Spain. The grease looks like logs sitting on 3 wheelbarrows. He used a rodder to get the grease out.


  • speaking of that..this is my hubby's job a year ago

    http://images.costcophotocenter.com/232323232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3237%3E335%3E26%3B%3EWSNRCG %3D3232557446946nu0mrj


  • I think Robert holds the title of longest root ball. How long was that? 5ft+?


  • I use a 3" root cutter then camera to to see if pipe is off set or damaged then send in a 4" root cutter if I can.
    Has anyone used the jetter heads for roots on e-bay? one has a chain the other has wire rope. They look like (the wire rope one anyway) they'd work but at $300-$400 I'm not too quick to try.

    gene wait till you buy a warthog nozzle. approx. cost is $1000. but it is the best nozzle for any kind of cleaning. typically this nozzle require a trailer jetter. they make 4 different sizes. for gpm and psi.

    rick.


  • i'll be making root soup with my catch. very tasty:D

    rick.

    stick to plumbing, leave the jokes to duck.:D Joey, what do you do with all corn(y)?


  • true, a video inspection is the best and only way to truly know the condition of the pipe. unfortunately the customer is not going to spend $695.00 for this service every time.

    the warthog with the right jetter connected is the best for roots, grease, mud.

    i just did a cleaning of a 36 unit complex with 7- 4'' and 6'' clean outs. i used a 1.25'' sectional machine (general):eek: sorry ridgid;).

    the cutter i used was a 4'' x 6'' expanding cutter. since i have never snaked this complex. i did suggest to video it and map it out. they do preventative once a year. unfortunately they didn't want to pay the cost of videoing the lines.

    well with 5 hours of snaking and dragging 110' of sectional cable around the pool patios, i was finished.

    jetting would have been easier, but access for my trailer jetter was too awkward.

    final cost was under the $695. and that was doing all 7 lines. my next bid is to do all 36 units 4'' clean outs. on that project i will use my k-60 with a sawtooth cutter to run the 40' into the mains.

    my spiral sawtooth cutter is the cutter of choice for roots. i like the spiral design and the double cut row of teeth on both sides of the cutter. this helps in both feeding and retrieval cutting in a clockwise rotation.

    for years i would use root-x and it typically would work fine.

    rick.

    on your spiral sawtooth...have you ever gotten stuck coming back on the line, or stuck in an offset joint?? i was always hesitant on using spiral cutters, on the fear that it might get stuck. I watched a municipal sewer company get stuck big time, and thats what caused my fear. Just didnt want the headache of it. I use to use a dual eel for cutting roots..i belive any sectional machine is best (other then jetting) cause you can bend the leader more and much more powerfull. Sounds like you get into some pretty big work out there, that is good....always nice to have an apt. complex under your belt, even better when you have them for preventive maint.Greg


  • Is that a typo? 50' root ball?!
    Yea because there was another 6` of tail in the rest of the sewer that I didn't replace, so I guess it was 56` :eek: ;)


  • For most jobs I use a funnel head and rip out as much roots as I can. Then offer to use root-X. to treat the line. I also try an lead them to replace sewer pipe or make a pipe repair to deal with the root probem. :)


  • only times i've had a real issue is when i use the corkscrew retriever to grab things. that will wind itself out of a bad joint.

    if i need to use it, i will camera the line to see if it's safe. also i will use the camera to help hook a cable or a chain.

    i have broken off a cutter blade. but it's just like any other blade. there is a wear and tear factor.

    rick.


  • when called to a stoppage I normally when going through the main house trap use either the General super 90 or the Ridgid 750 with the root cutter head or the 2 U to start. 3/4" snake

    Very rare do I do a main sewer with the 1/2" snake and NEVER with a 3/8

    I then increase the head size until the snake cames back clean

    If I encounter lines over 6" or over 100' I use the electric eel 11/4 sectional


  • I`m rebuilding a big old house and when I tried to clean the sewer it was a "no go" the old sewer was clay and had a 50` root mass 4" round :eek: Needless to say I had to replace 50` of the main line. I broke off the clay and had to use my saw to cut the 50` root mass in 1/2 so I could load it up to take it to the dump.
    Pretty bad when the worse sewer you have ever had is your own.....rotflmao


  • Had an old timer tell me to wait 7-14 days after clearing a line to use the root kill.Is Root-X the foaming?



    http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/gobby_01/searchfirst9bc6hm.gif


  • I agree that the warthog is the best nozzle, we run at 12gpm, at 3000psi. Works like a champ. The Root X, i like to install while on the job, after letting the customer know that they cant run water for about 5 hrs, i tell them they can use the system, just don flush :) Like PlumberRick said, the faster you put it in the better, because of the openended roots, the root killer will work more effectivally, or you have to wait for those 6 weeks. The only time i will wait is if it is an emergency drain at night call (right around dinner time) or on a weekend call. If i schedule the root elimination, they know up front that they cant use water.


    Greg


  • I use the 3" or 4" 1/2 blade, I don't like the double blade because it can get stuck a lot easier, forcing the customer into something they may not be able to afford. When I used to run a hydro jetter, I used to use the root rat, the only problem is if the pipe is in any way cracked or broken, it will go right through the problem.

    robert, a single cutter is my last choice if nothing else gets through. truthfully a single cutter has a better chance of getting stuck than a double cutter. if you drill a hole in the stoppage, the root ball will have a tuff time coming back through that hole.

    i used to use a 3 blade cutter, but the blades always seem to come off easy.

    i prefer the spiral root saw as it has yet to fail me. also i like a 4'' x 3'' offset cutter for 4'' pipe with offsets.

    a single cutter just doesn't cut it for me:rolleyes:

    comments mrs. westcoast:confused:

    rick.


  • You've had a hard week Rick,time to go to bed,Besides we need you fresh tomorrow.


    i'll make sure i shower first.:D

    robert would hope i'm worn out:rolleyes:

    see you at 7.

    ps. all in fun adam.:D


  • Had an old timer tell me to wait 7-14 days after clearing a line to use the root kill.Is Root-X the foaming?


    with any kind of roots the key issue is to treat it before it saps over. the sap is like a scab. if it saps over than you need to wait 6 weeks for the sap to break off and the roots to start growing again. usually if you treat for roots within 2 hours, you're ok. problem is you can't use the sewer for 4-6 hours after treatment.

    so you have a choice. treat for roots immediately, or wait 6 weeks when it is more convenient.

    root-x is the foaming root killer.
    copper sulfate is the blue crystals.

    any other questions we can discuss over dinner tomorrow:D

    rick.


  • I dont need no K-60....rotflmao :D

    :eek:
    http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/15497P1040005.JPG


  • ficus, rubber plants. mangoes. mahogany, and flamboyance are our worst invasive root meisters. i just received some new augers and cutters including 3 inch spiral sawtooth cutter plus a 3" & 4" sharktooth cutter.

    good job Rick!! nice pan-o-roots you got there.

    tell me more about this custom cutter you have. verrrry interesting (spoken with an Arte Johnson voice)

    steve


  • If it's broken it needs to be replaced.
    Or I`ll be back ;)


    I like the broken sewers :D They makes me money :D

    you know the old saying

    Pay me now or pay me latter but you ARE gonna be paying me :D


  • Nice picture...


  • I don't think I ever seen anyone so happy about sewer roots. Kinda looks like a new daddy Also the way you have the cables laid out all over the place. Can you say "law suit" One of the many formans on the job trip and fall " my back my back" better you than me.:D


  • adam, what part of this didn't you understand:confused::D:rolleyes::eek:

    tell me tomorrow night.:cool:

    rick.
    You've had a hard week Rick,time to go to bed,Besides we need you fresh tomorrow.


  • with any kind of roots the key issue is to treat it before it saps over. the sap is like a scab. if it saps over than you need to wait 6 weeks for the sap to break off and the roots to start growing again. usually if you treat for roots within 2 hours, you're ok. problem is you can't use the sewer for 4-6 hours after treatment.

    so you have a choice. treat for roots immediately, or wait 6 weeks when it is more convenient.

    root-x is the foaming root killer.
    copper sulfate is the blue crystals.

    any other questions we can discuss over dinner tomorrow:D

    rick.

    Rick,sorry to post after you told me not to:p

    Thanks for clarifying.Actually I missunderstood the timeframe that you had explained to me a few months ago when my friend had the root problem.Thats about when I started looking at yours and Marks sectionals.If I would have quoted you correctly you would have figured out that it was you I was refering to;)

    ADAM


  • Had an old timer tell me to wait 7-14 days after clearing a line to use the root kill.Is Root-X the foaming?


  • I use the 3" or 4" 1/2 blade, I don't like the double blade because it can get stuck alot easier, forcing the customer into something they may not be able to afford. When I used to run a hydro jetter, I used to use the root rat, the only problem is if the pipe is in any way cracked or broken, it will go right through the problem.







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