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Root and Grease Control

Root and grease control are the foundation of any good sewer maintenance program. The EPA states, “Sewer line root intrusion is the single most destructive element facing those responsible for maintaining the wastewater collection system.”  Controlling the infiltration of roots into the pipeline preserves the integrity of the joints and keeps the pipeline open and flowing.  If roots are allowed to grow into the sewer, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) will continue to occur.  Routine maintenance of the system for root intrusion by deploying a chemical treatment program has proven far superior to the “historical method of cutting roots out mechanically”, which can damage pipes and lead to thicker re-growth, requiring more cutting.  Cutting off the appendages of these intruders is just like pruning a tree top; they very quickly grow back.  A properly administered chemical root control program, however, allows for the effective eradication of the roots in a zone that extends to approximately 12″ outside the pipeline.  Initially developed in conjunction with UC Davis and the University of Sacramento, chemical root control today has become one of the most beneficial methods used to combat SSOs and pipeline deterioration.

Root Control is a proactive way to control root intrusion into a sewer, preserving the integrity of the pipe and maintaining the hydraulic capacity of the pipeline. Root removal needs to be a part of any pipeline maintenance program.

How it works:

  • One method is to cut out roots periodically with a water jetting/mechanical cutting operation
  • A chemical root treatment is another method that can be applied directly to the pipe interior to kill the roots in the pipeline and inhibit new root growth for a significant period of time