Most often, trees that grow near a building cause little to no damage. However, in specific circumstances, subsidence and damage to foundations can be traced back to the roots of a tree coming into conflict. There are a few ways to detect and identify these structural damages emanating from the tree roots. As one of the leading tree surgeons in Hampshire, here we have highlighted some of these telltale signs to detect structural damage caused by tree roots.
Three of These Surefire Signs Are:
- A drain that starts to leak or overflow.
- A paving slab pops up.
- The top of a root that comes above the soil surface by the building.
Why do Trees Tend to Cause Damage to yhe Buildings?
Trees can do structural damage to the buildings because of a plethora of circumstances:
- Damage caused by subsidence mostly tends to happen on shrinkable clay soils. Older buildings are more exposed to such damage and risks as they tend to have shallower foundations.
- Drain damage tends to happen when the roots break into the pipework and cause blockages. Further damage could as well be occasioned as the soil around the pipe is eroded away leaving cavities.
- Often, the braches themselves can fall and damage the roofs and the guttering. The expanding roots can also lift paving slabs or uproot it.
How does the Damage Take Place?
However, the unfolding of the damage is not so simple. Here is how the damage takes place:
- In case of prolonged drought, trees can dry out the shrinkable clay soil. This, in turn, causes movement in the footings. Typically, damage like this happens in late summer. In some cases, tree removal can also cause heave, whereby the soil lifts up by being wet and expanded.
- Tree roots that generally move around footings are usually not a direct problem responsible for structural damage.
- Tree roots proliferate the most where the ground is most moist. This is why these roots seem to mount excessive pressures near the drains.
How Can We Prevent or Minimise the Structural Damage From the Trees?
However, the structural damage from the trees could be prevented and minimised. Here are a few ways to do so:
- If you are unsure where to plant, you can always hire a professional tree surgeon to conduct an extensive survey.
- Quite a lot of trees grow quite happily and never end up inflicting damage.
- Long periods of dry weather can cause this problem to arise.
Hence, to solve the probability of the structural damage caused by trees, you only have to plant at the proper time and place. Sycamore Tree Surgeons can help you with a thorough survey and a meticulous planting so that the trees do not cause any structural damage whatsoever.