Tree Root Damage To Foundations

Although tree root damage can be costly, there’s nothing that adds beauty and a sense of comfort to a home like trees can.  They serve as shady places to enjoy warm days outdoors, a place to hang rope swings, and a way to attract birds and squirrels to your yard. Unfortunately, tree roots can grow deep and wide, posing a risk to wiring, plumbing, and your home’s foundation. Thankfully, with a little care, it’s possible to enjoy all the benefits trees offer without unfortunate consequences.

Understanding The Roots Of How Trees Grow

When understanding the risks that trees can pose to your home, it’s important to remember that we only see part of the tree.  Beneath the ground, the roots are growing in search of water and nutrients. Even more importantly, they serve as the stable foundation of the tree.  The bigger the tree, the larger its root system will be. 

Some parts of this root system will be visible from the surface, especially in areas with abundant rain. Depending on the tree, some root systems will spread wide on the surface if water is easily available year-round. In drier environments, trees send roots deeper and wider to ensure they can get water even in the dry seasons. In addition to water availability and tree species, soil type can impact how root systems develop.

Some trees to avoid include:

River Birch

These trees are known for their aggressive root systems and will find water wherever needed.  This can include inside water pipes and your septic system if they aren’t getting enough from rain or being watered.

Hybrid Poplar

These trees are known for incredibly aggressive shallow root systems that can spread up to four times the distance of the tree’s canopy. Even worse, these roots can grow up to a foot across. These shallow roots can compact the soil, break up foundations and sidewalks, and be a walking hazard due to their size.

Silver Maple

This species is also known for being water-hungry and aggressive. Their expansive root system can impact the health of other plants as well as be a risk to your foundation.

Willows

Willow trees are absolutely lovely, but they’re a species used to living next to water. If it can’t find water nearby, it will keep growing its roots deep and wide until it finds enough. These root systems will grow under, around, and through anything in their way if not controlled.

American Elm

Elms are a popular tree in a lot of areas, but they do have extensive root systems that can be a problem. Ensure they get plenty of water and keep them away from structures, sidewalks, and pavement like your driveway.

Signs of Tree Root Damage To Your Home’s Structure

Tree roots present a serious risk to the stability of your home and the systems that supply it with power, water, and sewage. Tree roots grow slowly but persistently and will gradually apply pressure to surfaces they encounter. With enough time, these roots can crack the concrete of your foundation, physically shift it out of position. This shifting can lead to cracks in your home structure, allowing water and pests to enter.

Some indicators that show that you may be experiencing tree root damage include:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Water pooling inside your home
• Appearance of new pests
• Blocks and leakage in water and septic flow
• Electrical issues in homes with underground power lines
• Cracks in basement walls
• Floors becoming uneven
• Buckling sidewalks

These signs indicate that your home may be the victim of aggressive tree root growth. Calling The Foundation Experts immediately helps ensure these conditions don’t worsen.

Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Home

The first and simplest step for preventing trees from damaging your home is selecting trees with less aggressive root systems. You also want to plant any tree species far from your house so that it won’t become a problem as its roots grow. This is just the start; however, here are some other ways to protect your home.

• Invest In Root Barriers: Root barriers are a mesh made of metal or fabric designed to restrict the growth of tree roots. Because they’re a mesh, water and nutrients can easily pass through them. In addition to ensuring the tree can get what it needs, this design also prevents root rot from excessive water build-up. There are options available that are infused with chemicals to prevent tree roots from expanding for many years.
• Check On Your Property Often: Make a point of going around your property and checking on the state of your trees.  Check for any indication that roots are encroaching on your home, or that they may be causing damage. Reference the list of signs from above when performing these inspections.
• Let The Professionals Handle It: Your home and trees are important to you. When steps need to be taken to protect your home, you don’t want to harm the trees in the process. This is why tree management is best left to professional arborists. They’ll know how to effectively prune your tree, manage the roots, and remove or move the tree safely when the time comes.

How The Foundation Experts Can Protect Your Home

When you’ve identified damage to the foundation or structure of your home, it’s time to call The Foundation Experts. Our team can identify the source of the damage and outline a plan to address it. We offer a variety of repair services that can help stabilize your home. Underpinning is one approach where we install underground piers to support your foundation. 
Air pockets beneath it can be filled in a process called slabjacking, and wall reinforcement can address buckling or bowing in basement walls. No matter what, your foundation or basement needs to be made right again; our team is ready to help you.  Don’t let damage from tree roots cause further damage to your home and peace of mind; call us today!