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• Using root killers or roto-rooters for septic systems
• Advice for planting over or near septic systems

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.

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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.]

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SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
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HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT
SEPTIC AUTHORITIES
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SEPTIC CONSULTANTS
SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
  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
  SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
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SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS
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SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
TOILET ALTERNATIVES
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WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS
WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE
WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?

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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• 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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