Skip to Main Content
Loading
Loading
Durham One Call
Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200
ADA Help
Services
Departments
Government
Connect & Engage
Español
Water Management
Search
Home
FAQs
Search
All categories
City Tree Planting Project
ABC Permits
American Tobacco District Waterline Replacement
Becoming an Eligible Training Provider
City Proclamation
Community Safety Crisis Response Pilots
Composting
Continuum of Care Entry Point
Continuum of Care Pre-Application Process
COVID ESG Funding
Cross Connection Control
Durham One Call FAQs
Durham One Call TextMyGov
Durham YouthWorks Program - Employer/Business Owner FAQs
East Main Street Waterline Replacement
Fire Department
Fire Department - Blasting
Fire Department - Entry Level Applicant FAQs
Fire Hydrant Flushing
Fire Hydrant Meter Program
Fire Services
Forever Home Durham
Lead in Drinking Water
North Elizabeth Street Waterline Replacement
Odd-Even Watering Schedule
Pay By Phone Billing
Pink Film
Police Department
Police Recruiting FAQs
Public Records Request FAQs
Reclaimed Water
Recycling
Sanitary Sewer Easements
Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study Project
Solid Waste - Bulky Item Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Drop-Off Facility
Solid Waste - Residential Garbage and Recycling Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Subscription Yard Waste Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Walltown Food Waste Collection Pilot
Special Event Permit FAQs
Stormwater Quality
Stormwater Utility Fee Frequently Asked Questions
Toilet Rebate Program
Towing
Transportation
Water - Sewer Root Control
Water - Tiered Water Rates
Water Back Billing
Water Hammer
Water or Sewer
West Club Blvd. Corridor Utility Rehabilitation
West Main Street Waterline Replacement
Categories
All Categories
City Tree Planting Project
ABC Permits
American Tobacco District Waterline Replacement
Becoming an Eligible Training Provider
City Proclamation
Community Safety Crisis Response Pilots
Composting
Continuum of Care Entry Point
Continuum of Care Pre-Application Process
COVID ESG Funding
Cross Connection Control
Durham One Call FAQs
Durham One Call TextMyGov
Durham YouthWorks Program - Employer/Business Owner FAQs
East Main Street Waterline Replacement
Fire Department
Fire Department - Blasting
Fire Department - Entry Level Applicant FAQs
Fire Hydrant Flushing
Fire Hydrant Meter Program
Fire Services
Forever Home Durham
Lead in Drinking Water
North Elizabeth Street Waterline Replacement
Odd-Even Watering Schedule
Pay By Phone Billing
Pink Film
Police Department
Police Recruiting FAQs
Public Records Request FAQs
Reclaimed Water
Recycling
Sanitary Sewer Easements
Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study Project
Solid Waste - Bulky Item Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Drop-Off Facility
Solid Waste - Residential Garbage and Recycling Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Subscription Yard Waste Curbside Collection
Solid Waste - Walltown Food Waste Collection Pilot
Special Event Permit FAQs
Stormwater Quality
Stormwater Utility Fee Frequently Asked Questions
Toilet Rebate Program
Towing
Transportation
Water - Sewer Root Control
Water - Tiered Water Rates
Water Back Billing
Water Hammer
Water or Sewer
West Club Blvd. Corridor Utility Rehabilitation
West Main Street Waterline Replacement
How does the process work?
The foam will only affect the roots within and immediately adjacent to the entry point of the sewer. It will not harm the tree or ground cover, or impact the sewer or treatment processes. The contractor takes great care to contain and clean up any foam that may spill or get on the ground.
▼
Water - Sewer Root Control
Show All Answers
1.
What is root control?
In order to prevent slowdowns and blockages in sewers, routine periodic cleaning is necessary. When tree roots find open cracks or pipe joints, they grow well in the sewer environment. Mechanical removal of roots is often difficult and can damage pipe and service line connections. Foaming herbicides is a method to coat roots, causing them to die off over a period of months. The foam is injected thru a small hose inserted in the sewer.
2.
How does the process work?
The foam will only affect the roots within and immediately adjacent to the entry point of the sewer. It will not harm the tree or ground cover, or impact the sewer or treatment processes. The contractor takes great care to contain and clean up any foam that may spill or get on the ground.
3.
As a property owner, is there anything I need to do before root control is performed in my neighborhood?
No. There will be no evidence of the work or any interruption to the sewer system and most sites will be foamed within 20-30 minutes. When manholes are located in rear yards or outfalls, the contractor may need to access to them in order to ensure the injection hose actually gets to the endpoint or to insert the hose for foaming. The homeowner does not need to be present for this, and the contractor should be distributing notices several days in advance of this private property entry.
4.
Will the cleaning affect me?
No. There will be no disruptions to your sewer service during the foaming.
Live Edit
Water Management Home
Customer Billing Services
Central Cashiering
Current Water & Sewer Rates
Deposit & Disconnection Fees
About Tiered Water Rates
Contact Customer Billing
Water Quality & Treatment
Lead Safe Durham
PFAS
Capital Improvement Program / Utility Engineering
Current Projects
Alma and Evergreen Streets Water Main Project
American Tobacco District Waterline Replacement
Celeste & Githens Lift Station Upgrades
Duke University Road - Miscellaneous Waterline Replacement Project
East Durham Waterline Replacement
Forest Hills Park Sewer Improvements
Homeland + Aiken Stream Stabilization
Improvements for Access to Utility Easements and Facilities
Lakewood Avenue Sewer Replacement Project
Lift Station Improvements Project - FY21B
Little River and Lake Michie Safety Improvements
Main Street and Broad Street Waterline Replacement Project
NC-54 Waterline Replacement Project
New Hope Creek Waterline Replacement
N. Driver Street - Miscellaneous Waterline Replacement Project
North & South Durham WRF Improvements
North Elizabeth Street Waterline Replacement
Sewer System Evaluation Survey
Sanitary Sewer Inspection and Cleaning Services
Sewer Outfall Inspection Program - North
Southeast Farrington Sewer Improvements
Southeast Regional Lift Station and Pipeline
South Hoover Road Transmission Main
Tree Removal and Mowing Easements - 2023
West Club Blvd. Corridor Utility Rehabilitation
West End Water and Sewer Rehabilitation Project
West Main Street Waterline Replacement
Sanitary Sewer Easements
Developers & Contractors
Development Services Center
Capital Facilities Fee Report
Cross Connection Control
Residential & Non-Residential Customers
FAQs
Important Forms and Documents
Certified Backflow Tester Courses
Informal Internal Review
Interpretations
New Installations & Replacements
Updates and Notices
Plan Review for Building Permit Application
CCC Staff Information
Helpful Links
Report a Violation
Report a Non-Compliant Hose Bibb Irrigation System
Report an Illegal Fire Hydrant Connection
Irrigation Systems & Watering Schedules
Report an Irrigation Violation
Durham H2O 2 Go
Educational Programs & Resources
Water Conservation Poster Contest
Imagine a Day Without Water Video Challenge
Resources and Activities
Lesson Plans
Request a Presentation
Tours
Latest News
Contact Water Management
Request Public Records
Pay Water Bill Online
City Jobs
Trash / Recycle
Schedule
small business resources
Parks &
Recreation
Development
services
Government Websites by
CivicPlus®
Arrow Left
Arrow Right
[]
Slideshow Left Arrow
Slideshow Right Arrow
Service request:
Click or call 919-560-1200