Pipe Deterioration using Copper Sulphate ?

Athana

Im not sure if this is where I should be asking this but I know
you guys here are the most knowledgeable.
Our Cast Iron Sewer Pipe curves around the back of the house
then is a straight line to the street..200 feet long.
I think Tree Roots are getting in Pipe.
I'm worried about ruining the Cast iron using the wrong thing.
Is Copper Sulphate safe on the metal ?
On one hand I read safe on drain Pipe..then they say not to use
in Tub or Sink as may ruin pipes ??.
Thank you so much for advising me.

JUGHNE

Your tub and sink drains would have brass/copper components that could be affected by the copper sulphate. It may remove the chrome plating on the parts you can see.
Best to put it in a sewer clean out or floor drain followed by a fair amount of water.

This has been used in sewer lines for decades, I don't know of any effect on cast iron as it gets diluted and spread out.

mattmia2

There is a different version that is a different type of herbicide that foams up and coats all of the pipe, not just the bottom. That may be more effective.

Athana

The kind that Foam up are quite expensive as this line is 200 foot long and requires 8 lbs of the stuff
$160 plus buying a funnel and they recommend it once a year. I maybe might as well have it snaked for that $ every two years. The Copper Sulphate my main concern is it deteriorating the Cast iron Pipe. : (

mattmia2

Your best bet is to have someone run a cutter through there before they get too bad anyhow. If you just keep a channel clear to keep it from becoming a noticeable clog it could grow to the size that it breaks the pipe or is nearly impossible to cut out.

mattmia2

Are you sure it is cast iron? Usually the exterior underground part is clay. cast iron is not unheard of but it is unusual.