Sanafoam Vaporooter II

Sanafoam Vaporooter II is a widely used herbicide combination which combats mainline sewage blockages caused by live root invasions and retards the growth of new roots. The Vaporooter treats the blockage and overflow problem and prevents future problems.

The product which is introduced into the pipe fixes the blockages by softening and killing the intruding tree roots. The tree roots die right away and within six months they decay and flow down the drain. Retreatment of the pipes increases the efficacy of the product and inhibits the root growth.

This method of of treating blockages is time-efficient as only one worker is required to treat 25 branch lines per day. Also, preventing blockages from happening is a way to save time and money, as this ensures emergency interventions and pipe replacements are rare.

Because Vaporooter prolongs the life of the sewage assets by eliminating the live roots inside them, less money is spent to ensure good functioning of the sewage system. Even the rigid pipes made of concrete or clay, whose joints are usually an easy prey for root invasions, are protected by Vaporooter. By destroying the root cells inside the pipe walls, the product allows the cracks to close under the ground’s pressure.

While having an aggressive approach inside the pipe, the Vaporooter does not affect nearby vegetation. Being biodegradable and non-acidic, the herbicide is also used in fruit and vegetable crops.

The widespread use of Vaporooter by authorities throughout the world confirms its many advantages. Scientific research led in North America supports the affirmation that Vaporooter is the most efficient way of tackling the sewage pipe root invasion.

Tree root infiltration in sewer drainpipes

The search of warmth and humidity is part of the natural growth process of tree roots and the sewer pipelines seem to be a plentiful, accessible source that can aide the root development. The maturing process involves the splitting and growth of one cell at a time, which gives them access to microscopic fissures of the draining pipes.

After finding a small opening, the root can keep growing and enlarging the fissure, which may eventually lead to the pipe breaking open or to its blockage. The pipes made of clay or cement are more vulnerable to tree root infiltration as they are usually made up of many short pieces joined together and the linking areas are most likely to have small cracks.

Tree roots can either grow above the pipe and enter it from the top and sides or they can grow along the length of the pipe and fill the diameter of the pipe. Either way, once the root has invaded the pipe, the latter’s decay starts.

The traditional method of dealing with a sewage blockage and overflow is cutting the tree roots. This, however, is only a short-term efficient solution. In the long run, the cutting of the root produces its revitalization and it makes it an even stronger enemy to the drain pipes.

Years of research have led to a different, more efficient solution. A combination of herbicides and growth inhibitors has the desired long-term result. Sanafoam Vaporooter II softens and then kills the invasive roots, while inhibiting the future growth of new ones. The clearing of the pipes is not immediate, as the roots need time to naturally decay, but a retreatment can lead to a 99 per cent efficacy.

In addition, Vaporooter technology helps maintain the good functioning of the sewage systems through the restoration of the pipes. As the Vaporooter destroys the roots that invaded the pipe, the small opening cracks close under the ground weight. The treatment is valid for up to three years, thus having a long-lasting effect that can be reinforced with a retreatment.

Another Satisfied Vaporooter Customer

After several trials with various chemical products, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMW) chose Vaporooter as its aid in combating drain pipe blockages and overflows and has successfully used it since 1989.

Vaporooter, a product of the RSP Environmental Services, is a mixture of herbicides, root growth inhibitor and foaming agent which softens and then destroys the live roots which intrude into the drain pipes and causes a blockage. The product also prevents other roots from growing by slowing down their development for almost three years.

GWMW has initially used the Vaporooter in its problematic areas, where drain blockages were frequent due to shallow sewers and close vicinity of the trees and sewage systems. After solving its immediate problems, GWMW has moved on to preventing blockages and maintaining the high-quality functionality of the draining system.

A great advantage of the Vaporooter is that its efficacy causes no negative side effects on the environment. The foaming process only affects the tree roots that intrude into the pipe and those very close to the pipe. But the rest of the trees and plants in the vicinity are not touched by this non-acidic biodegradable treatment.

RSP Environmental Services do not only provide the product and the technology, but they also assist their clients throughout the different stages of the foaming process. RSP offers its assistance to identify and solve the problems whenever they occur, although this implies higher costs and efforts for them. Just as Vaporooter involves an ongoing long-term process, the RSP honours its provider and aide roles to the client.

Cutting costs in Wagga City with Vaporooter

After several trials with the Drainchem Minifoamer and Vaporooter, the City of Wagga Wagga has decided it is the most efficient solution to and prevention from sewer chokes and blockages, as well as the best maintenance for the draining lines. The trial was aimed at old problematic areas, especially places with old clay pipes and maturing or mature trees.

Due to the Minifoamer’s and Vaporooter’s herbicide formula, the live invasive roots were killed, and their natural decay is expected. The combination of herbicide and root inhibitor not only fixes the problem, but also keeps working on it for up to three years, by preventing further blockages and retarding root growth. As the killed roots decay and clear up the pipes, the cracks they had created in the lines contract under the ground pressure, thus prolonging their life and efficacy.

Because the Vaporooter involves an ongoing process and does not require permanent assistance, it enables the teams in charge of sewer operations to take care of maintenance and not only emergency calls, as they used to. The Vaporooter technology and methodology allow for prevention and long-lasting solutions instead of quick fixes of urgent matters.

The Wagga City trial of the Vaporooter has started with problematic areas and, as it has proven efficient, it will go on to all the areas. After fixing the pipes dealing with sewer chokes and overflows in critical areas, the supervisor of sewer operations will start a maintenance program. By preventing the drain line problems, the sewer staff saves time and energy which would have otherwise been spent on emergencies.

Another time and cost saving is the fact that the Vaporooter technology can be used by in-house staff. Due to the nature of the foaming process, the Council can tackle drain pipe blockages and overflows concomitantly with other urgent matters. As foaming can be paused while the Council deals with something else, and easily continued when time is available, the Council has much more freedom and schedule flexibility. Plus, the scheduled annual foaming of the sewer mainlines will ensure a regular cleaning and preservation of the pipelines and an insurance against sewer chokes and overflows.

Q&A about Sanafoam Vaporooter II

1. How does Sanafoam Vaporooter II work?

Sanafoam Vaporooter II is a foaming mixture of herbicides which prevents drain line stoppages that occur due to tree root penetration of pipes. This technology tackles the problems caused by live root infestation by attacking the roots inside the pipe.

The foam containing a combination of Metham Sodium (herbicide) and Dichlobenil (growth inhibiting agent) is introduced into the sewage pipe, so that it can have direct contact with the intrusive roots. The treatment softens and kills the live roots, leaving them to naturally disintegrate within six months.

If the pipe blockage is in a very advanced stage and requires cutting the roots, it is advisable to wait for a period of at least six weeks between the cutting and the Vaporooter treatment, so that roots have time to regrow. If the Vaporooter is applied according to instructions, its root growth inhibitor effect is valid for up to three years.

2. How can tree roots destroy pipes?

The root cells, which can be microscopic in their first stages of development, look for warmth and humidity so that they can mature. In their search, they discover drain lines, which they can penetrate through extremely small openings and this allows them to gradually grow inside the pipes.

As the roots mature inside the pipes, they create blockages. One of the least efficient methods of unblocking the pipes is cutting down the roots; this actually leads to a more forceful regrowth of the roots.

3. How can Sanafoam Vaporooter II help save time and money?

Sanafoam Vaporooter II eradicates the roots, while also inhibiting their future growth. Because Vaporooter both fixes and prevents, the costs and time spent to unblock the drain lines, make sure the live roots do not grow again and even to replace the lines, are considerably reduced.

4. Is Sanafoam Vaporooter II environment friendly?

The Sanafoam Vaporooter II technology does not affect trees and plants surrounding the sewer pipe – only the roots inside or in the very near vicinity of the pipe. The trees and shrubs above the pipe, for example, are not damaged by the treatment.

Plus, the low level of toxicity, as well as the non-acidic and the biodegradable features of the Sanafoam Vaporooter II make it environment friendly. Being registered with APVMA is proof of the non-toxicity of the products, as this body evaluates the effect of chemicals on the environment.