How to Use Water Softener Salt to Dissolve Tree Roots
When you landscape over a septic system drain field, most landscapers recommend shallow-rooted plants such as annual flowers or drought tolerant grasses. Trees with deep roots can grow down into gravel surrounding pipes and might invade cracks in the pipes, widen and break them. Water-loving trees, such as willows, even planted at a distance will send roots in the direction of the pipes and cause problems. If you have problem tree roots in your septic system, you can temporarily rescue your pipes by flushing them with salts from a water softener to dissolve the root hairs of invading roots.
Select salt that is used in a water softener to kill tree roots. Common salts used in water softeners include rock salt, solar salt or evaporated salt. Rock salt is available commercially from any grocery store.
Measure 1 cup of rock salt using a measuring cup.
Pour the salt into the toilet and flush.
Measure and flush rock salt again every two weeks.
Tip
Another substance you can use to kill roots is copper sulfate.
Warning
Although flushing pipes with water softener will kill roots, it is a temporary solution. Eventually you will have to uproot problem trees to prevent the roots from invading.
Flushing salt into your septic system can upset the balance of the septic system and raise the pH of the soil in your drain field. This can make it difficult to grow grasses and shallow rooted plants in the area. Never use too many salts in your septic system.
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References
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Household Solutions;" Melodie Moore; 1998
- North Dakota State University Extension; Questions on: Miscellaneous; Ron Smith
- Clemson State University Extension; Landscaping Over Septic Drain Fields; George M. Dickert
Resources
Writer Bio
Tracy Morris has been a freelance writer since 2000. She has published novels and numerous online articles. Her work has appeared in national magazines and newspapers including "Ferrets," "CatFancy," "Lexington Herald Leader" and "The Tulsa World." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Arkansas.
