Nothing adds more natural beauty and shade to a home than the lush green trees that sit around it. However, even though you may not be able to imagine a world where your trees cause you more harm than good, when tree roots start spreading into places they shouldn’t, that’s exactly what can happen.
Damage caused by tree roots is one of the leading causes of structural damage to Pennsylvania homes, and if you want to avoid costly repairs, you’ll need a partner that you can trust.
That’s where we come in. We specialize in everything tree care, including helping homeowners all over the West Chester area, including Exton, Thorndale, Downington, and West Goshen, to protect their homes from the ravages of unruly tree roots.
If you’re worried about the trees around your home, here is everything you need to know.
What Is Tree Root Damage?
The term tree root damage can be a little misleading. You might think that it refers to damage to the tree roots themselves, in this context, we’re talking about damage that tree roots can cause to property.
Tree roots perform vital functions for a tree, including anchoring the tree in place and absorbing water and nutrients that the tree needs to survive. As the tree grows, its roots will naturally grow outward in order to meet the increasing demand for nutrients and stability, but this can cause problems if they grow too close to a home.
Everything from sidewalks and patios to pipes, underground wiring, and even houses can be damaged if tree roots start creeping in, all of which can lead to the need for extensive and costly repairs that most homeowners simply can’t afford to risk dealing with.
Can Tree Roots Damage a Foundation?
Tree roots generally follow the path of least resistance. However, even though you don’t have to worry about tree roots suddenly bursting through solid concrete, tree roots can still cause extensive damage to a home’s foundation in a variety of different ways.
The first has to do with the soil these roots grow in. As tree roots suck up moisture from the surrounding soil, they can trigger a repeated cycle of drying and resaturation that causes the soil to swell, shrink, and eventually settle.
This may not seem like too big of a deal, but the resulting gaps or changes in pressure around your home’s foundation can create stress that it simply can’t handle. Along the same lines, roots can also physically lift and shift the soil as they grow, creating uneven pressure beneath the foundation that may lead to cracking or structural damage.
This only creates more problems as the resulting cracks often become the path of least resistance for expanding roots, allowing them to infiltrate the foundation and gradually widen these cracks and create new ones over time.
These problems can become even more severe in regions with clay-based soil, putting older homes at even higher risk.
Which Tree Roots Damage Foundations the Most?
Though any tree root system has the potential to cause foundation damage, there are particular trees that tend to have more aggressive root systems that are more likely to cause damage. These trees include Silver Maple, Willow, Poplar, Oak, and Elm.
The important thing to remember is that these trees aren’t inherently dangerous. Tree roots only have the potential to cause damage if they are too close to your house. That being said, if you do have any of these types of trees close to your home, you should be on the lookout for the first signs of damage.
What Are the Signs of Tree Root Damage?
When it comes to tree root damage, early detection can make all the difference, so if you’re worried about tree root damage, here are some early warning signs to look out for.
Around the Yard
Uneven or sunken soil, buckling sidewalks or driveway slabs, exposed or fast-growing surface roots, and soil mounding near the base of the tree are all early warning signs that you should be able to easily identify around your yard.
Around the House or Foundation
You may also notice some early warning signs of tree root damage around your home and foundation, including cracks in exterior walls or foundation blocks, gaps forming around windows and door frames, doors suddenly sticking or not latching properly, and uneven floors or sudden excess basement moisture.
Plumbing and Utilities
Tree damage can also affect your plumbing and other utilities, so if you start to notice slow drains, frequent sewer backups, or damp patches in the yard without a clear source, tree damage could be to blame.
If you notice any of the early warning signs, you should call an expert immediately to prevent any further damage.
How AC Tree Experts Can Help
We know just how much damage tree roots can cause to a home and the property around it, which is why our team is always here to help.
Our team of professional certified arborists is experts in everything tree care and can help you make sure that your home stays safe and secure from any tree root-related damage.
As soon as you call, we’ll send our team to your home to perform an inspection, where we’ll assess any current damage as well as identify any other problem areas that could potentially cause problems in the future.
Then, we’ll craft a plan to address them that may include anything from root pruning and barrier installation to complete tree removal, depending on the specific needs of your situation.
Contact AC Tree Experts Today
Are you worried about tree root damage on your property? Give us a call today.
Our friendly team of local arborists is always here to answer your questions and will happily tell you more about how we can help you with your tree root damage problems. We even offer quick response emergency tree removal services if your tree root damage problem can’t wait, so don’t let some unruly roots damage your home when you don’t have to. Contact AC Tree Experts today.