Trees are valued in the environment for their beauty, shade, wind protection and water filtration. They also provide habitats for wildlife, help reduce air pollution and protect soil from erosion. But they can also be problematic, if not properly managed.

How Trees Affect Home Structural Integrity

One of the most common ways trees affect homes How Trees Affect Home Structural Integrity is by causing damage to foundations. This is particularly true when the roots of a tree are able to penetrate or enter the soil around the foundation of a home.

As the roots of a tree grow, they will seek out any source of water and nutrients that can sustain them. This can include drainage systems, sewage pipes and water mains.

Some tree species have invasive root systems that can damage these important structures, and in some cases even destroy them completely. These invasive roots can expand to any location, especially in rainy seasons and in areas where there is plenty of water available.

If you have a tree with a invasive root system, it is best to cut it down and have it removed. You can do this by contacting a professional tree service in your area to take care of the issue for you.

The most effective way to prevent the occurrence of this type of damage is to select only trees that have a non-invasive root system and plant them at a distance from your house’s foundation. If you have a large tree that is close to your house, it is also a good idea to trim it and remove dead branches from it, as these can cause structural damage to your home.

How Trees Affect Your Home’s Foundation

Many homeowners underestimate the impact that a tree can have on their home’s foundation. In fact, this is why it is essential to be able to spot potential issues with your foundation and have them corrected as soon as possible.

This is because the roots of a tree can affect the stability of your home’s foundation in multiple ways.

First, if a tree’s roots penetrate the ground near your foundation and find cracks, they can cause these to become larger. This can cause your foundation to sag or sink, and it can lead to other damage, like rot and mold growth.

Another way that tree roots affect your home’s foundation is by shifting the soil in and around the foundation. This can make the structure less stable and create gaps in the soil that allow water to seep into your basement.

Older houses built on shallow foundations, for example, are more vulnerable to this kind of damage than newer homes with full basements. Those older buildings are more susceptible to dry-out of the soil and shifts in the surrounding soil, which can result in settling of concrete and a foundation that may be unstable or uneven.

When it comes to determining whether a tree is a problem for your home’s foundation, it is a good idea to consider the NHBC ‘water demand’ classification of the tree and its vitality. This will determine how strong the tree is and whether it can handle any damage that it might cause to your property.