Oh man, I'm sorry you have to deal with this mess. Especially, so close to

Christmas. Hope the men show up on time, and can fix it, and clean the

drive for you. Hugs.

Isn't that a health hazard? Rinsing raw sewage into the street?

Yuck! Sounds like you need a better plumbing company that can come up with an actual permanent solution. My sympathies

Get rid of the trees. We had to do that.

What a bother having to deal with all that at this time......right before Christmas! Hope you get it cleared up satisfactorily so it does not spoil your holiday.

Good thing you were so organized,. Imagine if you had a bunch of stuff still to do? I am so sorry his nasty mess is intruding on your holiday and precious time with all your family together.

I have the same problem and I wouldn't dream of cutting down the trees EVER. But when I hear guggling when my washer drained it's time to call the router rooter guys or whoever we call. We pay extra on our water bill each month. to cover most of this. It's almost a yearly thing. My mother's disposal flooded the kitchen one holiday as I remember. Bad timing.

I can think of little worse. I hope the problem is solved this afternoon for you.

My SIL and her husband were having an issue with the drain line from their house to city street line one year and a sizeable birthday BBQ planned. The contractor was literally leaving the yard with his equipment as guests were arriving. Outdoor air was slightly scented in front. Inside the house and back patio were fine and all plumbing working ;0)

I think it’s time to play like A Christmas Story and go to the Chinese restaurant for dinner. “We are going OUT to eat.”

That's really unfortunate. But if the driveway doesn't get cleaned, you're not going to want to have people walking through it and bringing it into your home on their shoes. I agree about it being hazardous waste that shouldn't just be rinsed into the street.

Isn't there a product to put down drains to address roots in pipes? I remember my dad use to put something down the drain routinely when he had terracotta pipes.

This is a product we used and the problem never came back. He had the sewer guys in to clear the line first, then used this for maintenance annually.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-32-oz-Root-Kill-ZROOT24/100074551

Depending on your lot sizes cutting down trees on your land my do nothing for this problem. Mature deciduous trees have roots that extend many times the width of the tree crown. I remember having a tree in the yard and seeing it's roots running through at least three neighbors yards.

Glad it all worked out, Anglophilia, and that you didn't wear yourself out with dinner party preparations.

I've learned that that's just no longer even a possibility! I'm worn out just walking from my chair in the library to the kitchen. I'm very good at delegating and being self-protective. I must be. It's that simple.

I'm glad there was a happy ending Anglo. I am curious about the short ribs. Might you share how they were prepared?

i have no idea! I know she gets wonderful ones from the butcher inside the small market. I know they marinate at least for a night/day in wine. I assume they are then browned and braised with carrot and onions. All I know is they are fabulous and I’m lucky to have lots left over - will freeze some for dark, cold Jan nights!

I'm going to experiment! Thank you kindly.

Glad everything worked out Anglo!!

Love me some short ribs!

Just use one of the root killer products regularly. Then it will never be a problem.

I had a beautiful chuck roast that I quartered, or so, and made to a short rib recipe. Oh my, it was a delicious change from the standby mushroom soup, etc. fare!