Prevent Costly Damage to Your Home’s Foundation With Tree Removal

According to HomeAdvisor, the national average for foundation repair is $4,714. Reduce the risk of expensive foundation damage with professional tree removal when it’s necessary. Below, we explain how this step can be beneficial and what to keep in mind.

Reducing Pressure on Your Foundation

Tree roots can place pressure on your foundation to the point where cracks develop over time. If the roots go through your foundation, the cracks could become significant enough to affect the stability of your home or business.

Minimizing Water Damage

Tree roots create holes where water can get into your basement or other areas around your foundation. Removing a tree may also be necessary if it is older with a significant root system that’s endangering your foundation.

Reducing the Risk of Worsening Existing Damage

If you have existing damage to your foundation, removing trees could keep it from getting worse. Tree roots naturally tend to gravitate towards weak spots, especially if there are existing leaks in your foundation or places where water gathers.

How to Tell If You Have Foundation Damage

Unless you can see the roots, you may not know a tree is the source of your foundation damage or that it needs to be removed to prevent damage. Signs of existing foundation damage include:

• Sinking ground
• Foundation cracks
• Drainage issues
• Plants growing

Is Tree Removal the Best Option?

Not always. In some instances, removing a tree creates other problems. Trees absorb moisture and keep it away from your foundation. With new trees, plant them 20-30 ft from your home to prevent foundation issues in the future.

Also, tree removal leaves your foundation susceptible to erosion damage. Before removing any trees from your property, consult a licensed foundation expert.

Consider a Root Barrier

An underground root barrier prevents tree roots from spreading and damaging your foundation. Root barriers preserve soil moisture as well. The barriers are often made of fabric or metal mesh to allow water to pass through while preventing larger roots from causing damage. Some barriers use a chemical that inhibits root growth. According to a study conducted on more than a dozen root barriers, all of them effectively kept roots out.

Consider Root Pruning

With mature trees, root pruning is an option. The downside is partial root removal increases the risk of tree instability. You could also experience slow growth, or the tree may eventually die if the roots are cut too close to it.

Contact ArborTech Inc today to benefit from our tree removal services in Hayward, CA.