The Phal abuse ends here.

[silken]

I can't say whythe roots pull away but any old dead material will eventually fall off so that may be why. If you mean that brown husk around the base in the picture, that is the remnant of an old leaf and if it will come away easily you could remove it. Makes it easier for new roots to get thru. I would cut of roots that are definitely hollow just so they don't start to rot and cause more grief. Good luck with it.