Can Trees Damage Your Foundation?

cracking foundation wall affected by tree roots

The trees around your home are an essential part of your local ecosystem. If you’re not careful, though, those trees can cause more harm than good. Some trees and plants have aggressively growing root systems that mean trouble. If left unchecked or planted without careful forethought, those roots can damage your foundation.

Luckily, you have options for protecting and repairing your home. This article discusses the impact of tree roots on your foundation, along with several solutions.

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The Impact of Tree Roots: What’s Going On Below the Surface

Many homeowners will ignore the tree root systems under their yards unless those roots begin to cause problems. One problem includes foundation damage—though probably not in the way you’d think.

Tree root systems can grow as large as a tree’s overarching canopy. With that in mind, a tree planted too close to the perimeter of your home may develop a root system that contends with your foundation. These root systems won’t physically dig away at your foundation; instead, they’ll cause the soil beneath your home to shift.

When the dirt beneath your home starts to give and take, your home will begin to settle more than it already does. A settling home is a home that’s more likely to experience foundation damage courtesy of increasingly present hydrostatic pressure.

Signs of Foundation Damage

You might notice several signs of damage from tree roots, soil movement, and foundation settlement around your property, such as:

Foundation issues on the side of the house nearest to the tree
Water accumulation in or near your home following rainfall
Doors or windows that are difficult to open or close

Uneven floors
Drywall cracks or drywall nail pops
Cracking and bowing basement walls
Cracking and uneven concrete slabs

If you’re uncertain about the source of these problems, we recommend seeking expert evaluation and addressing these issues promptly. As trees and their root systems grow larger over time, they can disrupt your property’s landscape, potentially causing problems with concrete surfaces like driveways or entrance steps.

Which Trees Should You Avoid Planting Near Your Home?

Imagining how your yard could look is always exciting. However, when shopping for landscaping options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the many choices available. If you want to protect your foundation, however, avoid plants and trees with aggressive root systems.

There are some trees with more active roots than others. Some of the ones that you may want to avoid include:

American Elms
Willow Trees

Hybrid Poplars
Silver Maples

These trees are not biologically similar. On one hand, this makes it a little more challenging to understand why their root systems are so aggressive. On the other hand, you can also swap these species out in exchange for some of their cousins without worrying about the state of your foundation.

5 Ways to Prevent Foundation Damage from Tree Roots

The good news is that there are several steps you can take to keep tree roots from uprooting your home, including:

1. Foundation Restoration and Preservation

wall braces installed on a bowing basement wall

Whether you’ve observed cracks, bowing walls, or simply wish to take preventative measures, there are several foundation repair methods available to provide lasting stability to your foundation. These durable systems include carbon fiber reinforcement straps, wall bracing systems (pictured here), wall anchors, foundation pier solutions (including helical, push, or slab piers), and crawl space supports. These techniques address various issues, including wall damage and foundation settlement.

2. Careful Landscaping

When in doubt, try to keep all trees and larger hedges at least 10 to 20 feet away from the perimeter of your home. When you give these plants the room they need to grow, they’ll flourish, and your house won’t fall victim to unanticipated damage.

3. Root Trimming

You can trim problematic roots with tools like pickaxes, shovels, shears, or chemical root killers. This can be difficult to tackle on your own, so don’t hesitate to work with a landscaping or tree removal professional for assistance.

4. Checking Your Foundation’s Depth

A shallow foundation is more prone to root damage than an appropriately set foundation. You’ll want to discuss your foundation’s depth with a professional. This way, you can determine whether your foundation’s been appropriately set or if local contractors need to regrade your home. That regrading can often spare your home the stress of working alongside invasive root systems.

5. Waterproofing Your Foundation

waterproofing a basement with interior drains, a sump pump, and a wall vapor barrier

It’s always a good idea to waterproof your foundation and basement. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to a new home or building a house from the ground up. When you waterproof your home—using solutions including interior drains, sump pumps, wall vapor barriers, and dehumidifiers—you create a hydrophobic barrier between your structural supports and Mother Nature. This ensures those supports last a long time and keep the rest of your belongings safe.

You don’t have to protect your home on your own. Reach out to professionals, and you’ll find it infinitely easier both to consider your waterproofing options and discuss potential fixes for invasive tree root systems.

Ohio Basement Authority Helps You Protect Your Foundation!

While often unseen, tree roots can cause significant damage. If you’re uncertain whether tree roots are responsible for issues in your home, or if you’re looking to prevent potential problems, consider consulting foundation specialists such as Ohio Basement Authority.

We offer a thorough, free inspection of your property by one of our seasoned inspectors. Following the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed, no-obligation quote for any necessary repairs or waterproofing installations.

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Tree Root FAQs

Can tree roots actually penetrate a foundation?

While tree roots typically can’t penetrate through an intact foundation, they can exploit existing cracks and make them worse.

Can removing a tree solve existing foundation problems?

Removing a tree may prevent further damage, but it won’t fix existing foundation issues. These will need separate repairs.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover tree root damage to foundations?

Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by tree roots, as it’s considered preventable with proper maintenance. Check with your carrier regarding your home’s coverage.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.

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