RootX Root Control Corp. manufactures a foaming root-control chemical for residential and municipal sewer lines, storm pipes and septic systems. The patented RootX formula uses the aquatic herbicide Dichlobenil. It's non-caustic, non-fumigating and non-systemic, and it contains no diquat bromide, copper sulfate or metam sodium. RootX is classified as a General Use Product by the Environmental Protection Agency, and it is registered for use in all 50 states (EPA Registration # 68464-1). In addition, RootX carries the signal word CAUTION, the lowest hazard rating according to the ISO 3864-2 standard for hazard severity panels.

RootX Root Control Corp. is based in Salem, OR.

History

RootX is an affiliate of the Gelco Companies, which until recently included Gelco Services, one of the leading pipe services companies on the West Coast. For more than 30 years, the Gelco Companies have offered a full range of concrete and pipeline maintenance and rehabilitation services, including Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) pipe inspection, line cleaning, chemical grouting and chemical root control as well as the development and installation of Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP).

Gelco introduced the patented RootX formula for pipeline root control in 1994. It was designed to avoid the problems wastewater treatment plants had with existing root control chemicals as well as to promote worker, public and envionmental safety. RootX was also designed for fast, easy application without the extensive training required by other products.

For more than a decade, RootX has proven to be effective and cost-efficient with customers throughout the United States. RootX has been successful simply because it works.

Markets

RootX is only sold to professional drain cleaners, municipal contractors and municipal maintenance departments. Municipalities can apply RootX as part of their normal sewer maintenance program using their own crews and equipment. Using a 20-pound bag of RootX, crews can treat a 400-foot mainline in 30 minutes or less. For professional drain cleaners who work with residential service laterals and septic tanks, RootX is available in convenient 2- and 4-pound jars.

RootX is used by municipalities and drain cleaning contractors in all 50 states, and it is also used in Canada, Israel and Portugal. RootX users include large cities like Fort Lauderdale and Honolulu, as well as medium-size cities like Lafayette, LA (population 110,257), and Corvallis, OR (50,126). RootX is even cost effective for small towns like Brewer, ME (8,987), and North English, IA (1,010).

RootX is not sold directly to homeowners. However, RootX has an online referral program to help homeowners locate an authorized dealer in their area.

Products

RootX currently offers four products: the RootX root control chemical, the FDU 100 foam dispersal unit, the RootX tripod and RootX brand hand sanitizer wipes.

The primary product is RootX itself. It is a patented root control formula that is guaranteed to kill pipeline roots. The RootX formula contains the aquatic herbicide Dichlobenil, foaming agents and degreasing agents. RootX foams on contact with water, filling the pipe to reach the top where 90 percent of the roots live. Degreasing agents strip away grime so the RootX herbicide can penetrate the roots. RootX kills roots on contact, and it leaves a barrier on the pipe walls to prevent re-growth. Dead roots decay over time and are carried away by the flow of the line.

RootX is non-systemic, so it only kills the root tissue it comes in contact with; it does not harm above-ground vegetation. In addition, RootX is non-caustic and non-fumigating, so it is easier for crews to handle, and it has no adverse effects on pipes or wastewater treatment plants.

The FDU 100 foam dispersal unit allows municipal maintenance crews to use their existing pipe maintenance equipment to treat pipes from 8 to 18 inches in diameter using the same amount of RootX. The FDU 100 releases a foam spray to coat the roots and pipe walls.

The RootX tripod aids in applications using the FDU 100. It holds the FDU 100 in place while it is filled with RootX. This allows for one person instead of two to load the FDU 100, so fewer people are needed to treat the same amount of pipe.

RootX brand hand sanitizers wipes are ideal for cleaning up after completing sewer line maintenance. The pop-up wipes kill 99% of all disease-causing organisms in 20 seconds or less.