The bad news is that roots are starting to block my sewer lateral at a joint in VCP pipe almost half way into the street. The worse news is that I am responsible for the lateral all the way to the main - about another 5-10 feet on. Because it is so far into the street, repair would require a formal lane closure with traffic control. The city is willing to forgo compaction testing of the repair pit backfill (Class II A but hot-mix asphalt will be required for the patch. I suspect that is all going to be really expensive.

A plumber ran a camera down the lateral so I know the roots are intruding 23 feet past a cleanout in my front yard. I could monitor the cleanout and call a rooter service every time I see water starting to back up - or maybe I could buy a rooter machine my self. At 73 I have lots of parts that don't work as well as they used to (back, knee, other things you don't need to know about) so I don't want to take this on if it is too physically demanding. It looks like I can get a machine with 1/2" cable and auto feed and retract for about $400. What potential problems should I know about? Thanks.

Ridgid, General Wire, Spartan machines can handle roots. Not sure if a $400 rooter will be up to the task.

The job itself is not very physically demanding. You should be able to handle it.

Tom, you might want to have a look at Vevor, they are the new Harbor Freight if you will. So far I've bought a garden trailer and a drywall lift from them and the quality is pretty decent for the price. They have a few root cutting drain machines, I don't know anything about them or what you might need but prices are good. [www.vevor.com]

Could you install a liner?