Trees: A Great Garden Feature Or A Home Maintenance Nightmare?
A lot of people cut down the trees in their garden because they have different ideas about what to do with the space. That’s such a shame because, not only is it bad for the environment, but a tree also makes an amazing feature. Instead of removing them, we should be building our outdoor spaces around them.
However, some people remove trees because they are concerned about the potential damage to their home and this is something that you need to think about if you have a tree in your garden. These are some of the ways that a tree could be damaging your home.
Foundation Problems
Foundation problems are the biggest potential issue caused by trees close to the house. If the foundations of your home get damaged, it can be so expensive to fix and it may even make your house unlivable. The good news is, most modern buildings are not in danger of having their foundations damaged by trees. The bad news is, if you live in an older property, it is something that you need to watch out for. Older buildings, especially those built before the 1950s, have much shallower foundations. The roots of a large tree can grow into the foundations and do some serious damage.
There are a few key signs to watch out for if you are worried about your foundations. Cracks in the walls are a common one, but they are not always caused by foundation issues, so it’s best to get them checked by a professional. Doors or windows may stick as well if the building has shifted but, again, there are other potential causes for this. If you are unsure, have a survey carried out to make sure that the foundations are in good condition.
Damage To The Pipes
This is one that can affect any homes. The roots of a tree may spread towards pipes and do a lot of damage. This leads to leaks in the home and possibly a loss of water pressure, as well as blocked drains. The good news is, you can solve this issue if you get a company like Service Heroes plumbers to reline the pipes for you. This is much cheaper than replacing them all and it will still repair any damage caused by tree roots.
Roof Damage
Branches that come very close to the house can damage your guttering and roof. The good news is, this is easily solved without having to remove the tree. You just need to get somebody in to trim those branches back so they don’t get too close to the house. If you have a tree growing close to the house, it’s a good idea to get up on the roof and check for any damage. Roof repair is one of those home maintenance jobs you should never do yourself, so if you spot anything that concerns you, call in a professional roofing company.
Trees are a great garden feature and it’s important that we preserve them for environmental reasons. However, you do need to be aware of these potential home maintenance issues.