Anytime you dig in the area around a tree, you risk damaging its roots. Pine trees, for instance, have almost no impact on your foundation. Surprisingly, they can. Such trees include: Trees are a beautiful accent to any property and it’s important to understand the impact they can have on our foundation. Both shrinkage and expansion can damage the structural integrity of soil. Some tips to consider: The perfect tree should grow to a manageable size, won’t burrow into the foundation or leave your sidewalk a mess. They are well known for affecting slab foundations in North Texas, where clay soils (which have expansive properties) can be greatly impacted by water. The tree belongs to a neighbor, not us and is right across the fence. Trimming/cutting tree roots to prevent them from growing toward the foundation. Roots are a common cause of damage, but they’re not the only one. This leaves room for the foundation to settle unevenly, which can cause cracks. In reality, roots are rarely the cause of the problem. Luckily, there are several steps that can be taken in order to prevent tree roots causing extensive damage to a property such as creating a root barrier, removing trees in their entirety and investing in deep, strong foundations like piles that will not be affected by soil moisture changes. The type of soil under your home is a good indicator of the damage tree roots could cause to your home’s foundation or a concrete pool. Concrete settling and foundation damage. Here is some useful information on the risks concerning the growth of tree roots near your home. Research the maximum height for whatever species of tree you’re planting, and multiply that figure by three. Most foundation damages are caused by adjacent trees. Removal does not always include stump removal, so be sure to ask if that is included in the cost and if it’s necessary. A tree care company is the best to evaluate your landscape and determine which trees to plant near house foundations. To be fair, tree roots themselves are not the direct cause of foundation damage, though many homeowners believe they are. They help divert roots away from the foundation. As a rule of thumb, avoid planting a tree closer than ten feet from a home’s foundation. Overestimate the distance needed for each sapling when planting new trees. In that case, while transplanting the tree, it is very important to cut the tree from the trunk instead of uprooting it, which may cause damage to the underground pipe system. By continuously monitoring potential hazards, such as tree roots, you can help prevent foundation damage to your home. Despite the fact that tree roots grow very slowly, they exert tremendous amounts of pressure on whatever they are growing through or near. Maintaining your home’s foundation is the key to having a structurally sound house that is safe and comfortable. Unfortunately, they were planted right near the wall of the house, and I have worries that if their roots run deep enough and large enough, they could possibly damage the foundation of the house. This is a cost-effective way to avoid damage by trees. Do not underestimate the risk of roots near your foundations. Root barriers help avoid foundation settlement since they control the growth of roots near the foundation. Since tree removal can be dangerous and might cause damage to your property, it’s advisable to have professionals do it. These are photos of oak tree vs. sidewalks in my neighborhood. When tree roots start to move towards your foundation, they can put your home’s structural integrity at risk. Avoid planting shrubs or trees near the foundation. Pine trees, for instance, have almost no impact on your foundation. Understanding the factors involved in tree damage to buildings, including soil type and depth of foundations, will help both tree and house owners determine what action to take and when to get professional help. You can also pick breeds of a tree that send roots straight down into the soil, instead of out. When there is physical contact between a tree and a foundation, the damage, if any, may vary greatly according to the species of tree, the site conditions, proximity to the foundation, the type of foundation, t… Other trees have roots that grow thicker as they mature, which can lead to a crack in a sidewalk or concrete surface. It’s highly unlikely that a palm tree’s roots will damage concrete. Contrary to popular belief, the direct cause of foundation damages is not tree roots themselves, but changes in soil conditions. Poplars, or trees in the Populus genus, can cause foundation damage. Reports of building foundation subsidence have been increasing since the drought in 2005. Further complications will be avoided and a variety of repair options will be presented to you. This means that a massive root system can easily form under your foundation. But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be linked to tree roots. These shrinkages and expansions can damage land structure by creating gaps below the surface. This is because their roots extend straight down into the soil. I've read generally that king palm tree roots don't typically damage concrete very much, due to their thin diameter and tendency to grow in the path of least resistance. Plant the right trees in your yard (those with non-invasive root system). This leaves the soil beneath your foundation without moisture leading to its collapse. Clay soil is easily compacted and becomes more dense with the presence of tree roots. Water drainage. There are ways to remedy this. In other stretches of the sidewalks you can see slumping as the soil underneath erodes or settles. 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