While trees can be a great addition to your property and landscape, when planted too closely to a home, their roots can quickly cause serious structural damage. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, our family-owned business has decades of experience helping homeowners address common foundation concerns, including tree root intrusion. We’ll take a closer look at tree root foundation damage, including how you can prevent it and how we can help you repair it.
Why Tree Roots Naturally Grow Towards Foundations
Tree roots naturally grow towards sources of water, oxygen, and nutrients. Often, the soil around a foundation is naturally rich in water, oxygenated air, and nutrients, which can attract tree roots as they grow. This pattern of growth can be increased if:
- Your foundation has loose soil around its base
- Downspouts direct rainwater towards a foundation
- You have a plumbing leak near your foundation
- Your home or additional plants provide shade for the soil
While tree roots may not be able to penetrate and damage sturdy foundations, foundations that have cracks or other weakened areas are much more susceptible to tree root damage. We’ll take a closer look at how tree root damage to foundations progresses and the warning signs to watch for.
How Tree Roots Can Cause Damage to Your Foundation
Tree root damage to foundations occurs in several ways. Large tree roots can absorb large amounts of water from the soil, causing soil to shift and uneven settlement of a foundation. This is particularly common with foundations that are built on clay-rich soils. Roots can also exert large amounts of pressure on a foundation wall, which can cause:
- Bowing of walls
- Formation of cracks
- Water intrusion
Finally, roots can interfere with drainage around your foundation, increasing hydrostatic pressure and worsening structural damage. We recommend homeowners keep an eye out for signs of tree root damage that include:
- Basement wall cracks
- Uneven floors
- Sticking windows and doors
- Gaps around trim or drywall
- Water seepage in the basement
At the first sign of tree root damage to your foundation, scheduling an inspection can protect your foundation from further damage and give you access to less expensive repair options.
What Types of Trees Are Most Likely to Cause Damage to a Foundation, and Safe Tree Planting Practices
While all trees can cause foundation damage, certain species are more likely to cause damage than others. Some of the more common culprits of foundation damage include:
- Silver maple
- Willow
- Poplar
- Oak
To avoid tree root damage when planting trees on your property, we recommend planting trees at least 200 feet from your foundation. If you already have trees close to your foundation, root barriers and tree root pruning can be used to prevent future foundation damage. In cases of large trees causing extensive damage to a foundation, tree removal may be the only and safest option to keep your foundation’s structural integrity intact. If you have concerns about tree root damage on your property, Tom’s Basement Waterproofing is here to help! Give our team a call today to schedule an inspection of your foundation and explore your repair options.
Schedule a Tree Root Foundation Inspection Today With Tom’s Basement Waterproofing
If you’ve noticed signs of tree root damage along your foundation or have concerns about trees growing close to your home’s foundation, our team is here to help. To schedule an inspection of your home’s foundation, call our team today at (586) 949-7826.
