RE- Connecting 4” ABS to 4” steel, near tree roots.

[lahabra]

Tree roots have distorted a rubber hub and have grown into my sewer line.

I have found and dug open the problem joint. Now I want to Replace the hub and wrap the joint with something to keep the roots away.

I am Not willing to Internally re-line the pipes, replace the metal sewer main, Or kill the trees.

How can I re-do this connection and prevent the tree roots from re-entering the sewer?

[Master Plumber 101]

Can you use 4" fernco couplings. Cut the bad section out splice a new piece in between. Is no hub cast iron?

[Redwood]

Something like this would be good.

[lahabra]

Something like this would be good.

That is what the previous plumber used. The tree roots were able to pry it open and move the rubber out of place.

Are you suggesting that the coupling was not properly installed and that's why the roots destroyed it? And, if the new coupling dose not leak the roots will not be attracted?

I am thinking of going over the top and doing a super repair. I am planning to:

1. Rub toilet ring wax on the ends of the pipe to fill any imperfections.
2. Install a 4” Fernco rubber coupling over the wax.
3. Wrap the joint with copper wire to inhibit roots.
4. Wrap with 20 mill tape to seal.
5. Coat it with copper sulfate.
6. Seal again with more 20 mill.
7. Add 200 cooper clad pennies into the back fill dirt.

[jadnashua]

Roots seek water. If the thing wasn't tightened down properly OR if the ends weren't in line (distorting it) OR if the pipe wasn't clean when attached, there could be a leak. The tendrils are quite small, so any leak would leave enough space for it to grow in there.

[Redwood]

If water is leaking out of the pipe roots will enter it.

[patrick88]

Sort of sounds like the mission bands were not the right ones for the job. That is why they make different bands for all types of materials and they should not be mixed.

[MACPLUMB 777]

Forget All About All Those Copper Pennys And Wire Stuff And Wrapping With Mil. Tape

All You Have To Do Is Install New Band Coupling And Take Some Rock Salt Pour Over And All Around Joint No Roots Will Grow Though Salt ! ! ! !

[Redwood]

That should be good for the cast iron.

[lahabra]

Dose anyone like or dislike my idea of using toilet ring wax?

[MACPLUMB 777]

Important Note;

Roots Grow THOUGH Wax Seals

[Redwood]

It will probably help the mission coupling slide right off the pipe too!

[cwhyu2]

You cuold use what we call is a hot pour, hot melted tar over the joints.
This is old school I know but it worked for many decades.