Mark asked how much everything would cost, and the plumber gave us an estimate that made my stomach drop. Repairing the damaged section would require excavation, removing the roots, and replacing part of the sewer line. It was far more expensive than we had imagined.
I felt embarrassed remembering how confidently I had poured salt into the toilet. The plumber reassured me that many homeowners tried internet remedies before seeking professional help. However, he warned us that salt was not a dependable solution and could create additional environmental and pipe-related problems. We finally agreed to have the damaged section repaired.