The Root Intrusion Solution - 4 Pound Container

I have used this product annually for the past ten years. It works well to prevent root build up in sewer lines. In reading some of the negative reviews I believe most of the problems are the result of (1) trying to use this product to clear a severely blocked line and (2) improperly applying the product when using the toilet as an entry point. Rootx does a fine job of preventing root build up. If and when your sewer lines are obstructed with roots to the point where they are significantly backing up, you first need to get the roots cut out by a pro. Rootx applied immediately after will prevent future root build up for a year. In other words, the product works to PREVENT root build up but it is not a good, quick solution to clear a significantly blocked line. The second issue people have problems with is encountered when using a toilet to apply the product. Once Rootx is poured in the toilet bowl it will IMMEDIATELY foam up and expand like crazy. To avoid an overflow first flush the toilet and WAIT for the water to actually start to go down the drain. This usually will take about three seconds. In other words, flush the toilet, let the tank drain into the bowl, watch the water swirl in the bowl and as soon as the water in the bowl STARTS to actually go down the drain THEN quickly dump the Rootx in the bowl. In this way the product will be immediately carried down the drain and not have an opportunity to foam up in the bowl and cause an overflow. Have a five gallon bucket of water at the ready to pour into the toilet bowl as an immediate follow up. When applying 2 lbs. of Rootx in a toilet (the recommended maximum), it should have 10 gallons of water applied to carry it down the line. What works for me is to flush the toilet, wait a few seconds as described above, quickly apply all 2 lbs. of Rootx, pour in 5 gallons from the bucket and follow up with enough additional water to bring the total up to ten gallons. Remember that the first flush of the toilet when you apply the product will provide about 2 gallons of the total. If you've done it correctly up to this point, the Rootx is already in the sewer line and you will have plenty of time to refill the bucket without any danger of an overflow. If you need to use 4 lbs. of Rootx, repeat the entire process with two more lbs. of the product. As a final note, if and when you are having a pro cut the roots in your line before applying Rootx, you need to apply Rootx within an hour of the cutting or wait until six weeks after the cutting.

Good: The only way to find out whether this is doing the job is to wait and see whether roots develop in the sewer line. I had my house's line rooted about five years ago, and have used RootX about every eighteen months since. No new blockages, no sign that there may be one developing. I'm optimistic that this is working, and it's a lot cheaper than having the line rooted every few years.Bad: A bit expensive, but, as I said, still cheaper than a professional job.Ugly: They strongly recommend pouring the stuff down a cleanout instead of flushing it down the toilet. I couldn't get a cleanout open easily so I went the latter route. I flushed it in two batches, half each time. The thing is, this stuff foams when it hits water, and it foams a LOT and it foams FAST. I was just barely able to get the first batch down before it foamed over the edge of the bowl. I wasn't so lucky with the second batch. Fortunately it wasn't a total meltdown, and the stuff cleans up easily. Moral: follow recommendations if you possibly can.Bottom line: It seems to be working out. Five stars, will revise if that situation changes.

See my important tips below!Had been having terrible issues with toilet clogging due to roots in sewer line.Used this product and it seems to have resoled the issue for now.Looking at my sewer pool 3 weeks after treatment I can see only dead roots where live ones were growing. So I assume the same is happening in the line. The roots have not all cleared out yet, but they are no longer growing and causing issues and there is no more clogging.I expect the roots to rot and eventually disappear in a couple months. Hopefully it will hold for the year.TIPS:1. I bought the 4 lbs. container and did not order the funnel. Since my line is only about 15 feet and the stuff is good for 75-100 feet I used only a third of the stuff. So I had to separate the 2 chemicals into 2 separate containers which is tricky since they are separated in the same container. I did this by perforating the original container emptying one chemical into a separate container and then the other. Now I have enough for at least 3 treatments. (used cloves and a mask).2. When applying, I used too much at once and the foam overflowed causing a mess. I did not pour water immediately after flushing as recommended which may be the cause. However, as others have suggested, next time I will add the mix in smaller increments and pour water immediately.

What can I say - I snake my own pipes and the first time I pulled up roots I knew I had a sewer line issue. Turns out the main line goes right under an ornamental pear that the previous owner planted - previous owner is a grandparent who still visits and talks of all the landscaping done over the years. With roots in the pipe, I know sooner or later the clay pipes will need to be replaced with pvc or the next grade of newer continuous main line available - but not today or this year!One treatment with ROOTX and then I had the line scoped only to find the line clean of roots. Couldn't even see the root material at the clay pipe junctions, but I know it was there because I brought a clump of roots out of the drain when I snaked it. This doesn't work immediately, it was 6 months after I treated the line that I had access to the scope and found the line clear of roots at 60-65 feet where I had my original clog. This isn't for grease or traditional gunky clogs but for that root ball that fills your line and collects all the grease & other solids coming out of your house. I use ROOTX every year and haven't had a main line issue in years - I'm still saving to have the line replaced but until I'm really flush, ROOTX is the better use of my resources!

Pesky blocked sewage pipes this foaming killer fills inside the pipes to knock out all those roots for six

Have used it once before last fall. So far no back up problems.