Assuming there was no clean-out fixture, the plumber chiseled a hole in the cast-iron sewer pipe to clear a clog. The patch he installed seeps water and roots clogged the pipe so that he had to come back and use a rooter to clear it. Is there a method for isolating the pipe from the soil so that roots will not invade the pipe again? The barrier should extend from grade to a depth of around 2 to 2 1/2 feet and have a cover that would allow a riding mower to run over it. Prayerful thanks if someone can provide a fix. Plumber visitations are very expensive.

Presser... what kind of pipe do you have there underground?

Let me know...

MARK

Your plumber should have installed a Clean Out instead of chiseling a hole in your pipe.

However, now, he has to cut the pipe all the way through and insert No-hub coupling ( or Flex Seal coupling ) and connect the two pieces together with this fitting. Or even better - have him to install new clean-out once the pipe is exposed again.

You certainly don't want to have any roots in your sewer. Once there, they grow rapidly and are very hard to remove.

Leaking patch on your sewer pipe means your plumber didn't do great job on resealing the pipe after he chiseled a hole in it.

Presser.. I agree 100% with Milo....

Fact is that a cleanout needs to be installed and it needs to be brought to grade using proper fittings. How far out from the foundation did the plumber chisel into the pipe?

Let us know...

MARK

Roots need a small crack to get started inside so you had a breach before the plumber even started, he just made things worse. You say the pipe is cast so he should have ccut all the way through the pipe 18" out from the foundation and installed a clean out like Milo says. I don't have pics of the proper hub but Mark and Milo both do. The hubs are neopreme with an aluminum collar for support and burst strengthening.

Presser: this is what the coupling looks like. It is going to be a bit tricky to get it in - but experienced plumber should know how to insert it over the pipe.

[QUOTE=massplumber2008]Presser... what kind of pipe do you have there underground?

Let me know..
.
Sewer pipe is 4" cast iron. I don't know why there isn't already a cleanout on the line. The house is about 40 years old and several families have lived in it. I have lived here almost 10 years. The opening was made at least 18" from the foundation. The coupling in Milo's note looks like it would hold water and do the job. Only problem is finding someone who could install it. If I knew of a plumber who could get a pipe to hold water I wouldn't be writing this. The plumber who just cleared the roots told me that the roots will be back so I know the patch still leaks.
The fix I was hoping for would be something like the way water meters are protected. A steel cover extends down into the ground with a U-shape cutout for the pipe and a cast iron cover over it. That way, soil would not touch the pipe and no roots would get in. Also, since I wouldn't be going into the pipe, a licenced plumber would not be needed.
Many thanks for the information. I may have to take a chance on the coupling.

Hi Presser...

Actually, in rereading your initial post I can see CLEARLY that you told us it was a cast iron pipe... my mistake!!

Fact is that almost anything you install in this case will fail as roots have a tendency to find any moisture especially moisture with waste product in it and if there is a crack present... even the smallest of cracks... a root will find its way in there... grow ridiculously large and reclog the pipe. You would not believe what I have seen roots do or how far I have seen them travel to get to a pipe joint, enter through the joint.. A GOOD JOINT and then begin to grow out of control.

With that being said, everyone here will tell you that whatever we create... it probably won't keep roots out for very long. About the only thing I can think of that will last is a permanent patch over the hole using a liquid epoxy to install a patch over hole... but no extension coming off the pipe as it will shift back and forth over time and root (being present in area already) will invade quickly once again!

NOW, here is what I think... I think you should install a cleanout using the clamps posted by Milo by yourself! Easier than you might think if you have basic tools such as a shovel and a sawzall. We talk alot of people through this stuff... in fact we have a 21 YO kid that just dug up part of his basement and installed all the pipes under a concrete slab for a bathroom.. click on this attachment to review his thread/posts if you like:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbing/new-basment-bathroom-252241.html#post1233593

Scroll down to post #19 and post#25 at this link to get idea of how it works visually.. then read a little more of how it goes.

Come back after you review this and let us know if you care to try to install a cleanout yourself. We are glad to help here.

Otherwise... I think any solution you come up with will only be temporary... and I should know because I have seen maybe 30-35 cases where people tried to close off or patch pipes incorrectly underground and roots invaded every time!

Let us know what you think...

MARK

If you wish to control the roots RootX or Robics Foaming Root Killer that contain Dichlobrnic are two products you could try.
A less expensive way would be to call around to garden supply stores and ask for fine grain Copper Sulphate. Put a 1/2 pound in your toilet and flush it down. Repeat in 6 months.
Hope this helps Tom

Unless you cover that hole properly, roots will get in. Period. Access Box will certainly look "pretty" on top of your sewer pipe - but roots will still enter.

Now, if you really (really) don't want to call plumber than do this: get 4" Flex Seal coupling. Cut it in half. Put one half over the hole in your pipe. Make sure entire hole is covered. Take 4 s.s. bands, open them all the way, slip them around the pipe and tight them well with 9/16" wrench. Than put that sprinkler valve box over it.

Now, if you really (really) don't want to call plumber than do this: get 4" Flex Seal coupling. Cut it in half. Put one half over the hole in your pipe. Make sure entire hole is covered. Take 4 s.s. bands, open them all the way, slip them around the pipe and tight them well with 9/16" wrench. Than put that sprinkler valve box over it.
Best to follow Marks advice,(He can walk you through theinstallation) cut in a clean out and do the job right. Don't forget to flush some fine grain copper sulfate down to eat up any roots left.
Good luck, Tom

Tom, Clean Out would be my choice #1, too...