Drain Grass, or Nesting?

[ksluis62]

Hi All,

I have a basement bathroom sink drain that was draining very slowly and became clogged during my son's recent visit. The shower draing is very slow draining too. When I checked the drain pipe under the sink, I find it stuffed with what looks like grass. Any ideas whether I have grass or roots growing in my drain, or if this is a burrowing animal of some sort that is nesting in the drain systems?

fyi we have a septic tank, and this bathroom is only used 4-6 times a year when we have visitors.

Any comments or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Kris

 

[GReynolds929]

Looks like roots to me. Has your septic tank been checked recently?

 

[ksluis62]

It does seem to have a pattern like roots, as all the strands run long-wise. Seems like a nest would have some cross-hashing.

It has been 2 years since we've had the septic serviced. Sounds like a good next step, and hopefully they can let us know if roots are growing up the drain pipe.

Does it seem like roots would grow this far a distance? This drain is about 40 feet from any plant-life (it runs under the house, across a patio then down to the septic tank). I'm attaching a rough diagram. Do you think roots would grow up the drain pipe 40-60 feet or so?

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

I owned a weekend house in Michigan that got weekend house use as opposed to daily use. We had our septic system serviced every few years…
At one point we had slow drains, and the septic guy found small cracks in two places. First, from the line coming from the house into the tank, then at the output of the tank to the drainfield.
You would not believe the tangle of roots that managed to get into these small cracks. The solution was replace the cracked pipes, but while the pipe was open, all of the roots were pulled out. It was a massive clump, looking like the photo you posted.

 

[Geofd]

One of the best ways to remove roots is a good cutting head on a snake and a camera
There are treatments you can buy online to keep roots at bay, but these chemicals may effect your septic system you would have to research

 

[ksluis62]

Thanks for the advice! I am upgrading from a manual to electric motor drain auger, and will order a cutting head as well. Seems like that will surely clear the drain, at least for now. Thanks!

 

[Geofd]

Thanks for the advice! I am upgrading from a manual to electric motor drain auger, and will order a cutting head as well. Seems like that will surely clear the drain, at least for now. Thanks!

You have to have use a camera, otherwise you won't get it clean at least that what I've found, your cable size should be at least 3/8" in diameter even that's a bit small, and PATIENCE!!!! good luck