Machine suggestions for roots in sewer line

I get roots about once a year between the basement clean-out and the front yard trap. They are breaking through about 10-15 ft from the basement clean-out so it's not a long stretch. I was thinking about getting an electric drain auger but was wondering if it's worth the trouble. From what I've read I'll need a min of 1/2 snake. It's a 4" line. Some say they get by with a 3/8". Could i get by with a 3/8 since I'm only running the line less than 20 feet? I was thinking of running the blade through three times a year before the roots cause a clog.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Are the sub $500 machines not worth the BS?

 

The long term solution would be to get someone to resleeve the pipe or dig the pipe up and replace it.

Why not rent one instead of buying it?

I know someone who has them same problem, she gets a plumber to do it for her twice a year. She said its not that expensive.

 

I had to hire someone to clean out my pipes from root invasion about once a year. Finally the guy told me, "if you dump a cup of rock salt in your toilet every flush in the spring, you will never have this trouble again."

So, in the Spring, I bought a small bag of rock salt like you would use to make home made ice cream and dumped a cup or so in every flush until the bag of salt was used up. Lived in that house another three years with never a problem.