Trees can be a wonderful asset to your property. At the same time, they can also cause significant damage to your home. Keep reading to learn some of the most common benefits and pitfalls of shade trees on your property.
During the summer months the tree shade to your home can create comfort and save you money. If you look at the picture below, you will see how the tree is casting a large shadow onto the roof. The shadow provides an incredible amount of heat reduction. As the sun bakes the roof, heat continues to build in the attic of your home. The more your attic heats up, the harder your AC has to work to keep up with cooling. As with most things, the benefit this shade can provide needs to be balanced by the risks that also come with trees.
The following are common problems that shade trees can cause to homeowners, and things to look out for if you have trees near your home.
Roots:
Problem: Since shade trees are generally tall, it follows that they have quite large root structures beneath the ground. As long as the trunk of the tree is far enough from the home and driveway they cause few issues. However, if the tree is too close to the house you can have multiple problems. The roots from large trees can continue to grow and actually push in the basement walls, or crawl space walls in a home. This is a very slow process, but the damage caused can be extreme. As the root presses against the basement wall, it will slowly add pressure to the wall causing it to bow, and eventually crack (especially if it is a block wall). Once the concrete is compromised, water will begin to speed up deterioration of the wall.
Solution: Visual inspection is your first step. First, identify if you have any large, tall trees around your home. On average, the roots of a tree in optimum soil conditions will extend from the trunk of the tree about 38 times the distance of the diameter of the trunk. So, a tree with a 6" trunk could have roots extending about 19 feet from the trunk. If you have identified trees where the roots could reach the home, inspect the ground between the tree and the house. Look for signs that the roots are at the surface or up against the house. Next, go to the basement and look at the wall the tree is near. Look to see if the wall has been bowed inward at all. An easy way to check this is with a long straight board. Simply hold it against the wall and it should sit flat on the wall. If the wall is beginning to bow, you will need to contact a professional to deal with the tree and its removal. If the tree is close but NOT pushing on the house, continue to monitor the wall, looking for cracks or bowing. If the tree has the potential to extend into your foundation, the only preventative measure you can take is to keep the tree trimmed to a size where the roots will not need to travel that far.
WARNING: DO NOT CUT ROOTS!!! Especially if they are large roots. While the instinct may be to remove the root pressing on the house; if you cut a main root of the tree you can kill the tree, and potentially make the tree less stable and resistant to wind. NOT a good situation to then have a dead, unstable tree that close to your home!
Solution: Visual inspection is your first step. First, identify if you have any large, tall trees around your home. On average, the roots of a tree in optimum soil conditions will extend from the trunk of the tree about 38 times the distance of the diameter of the trunk. So, a tree with a 6" trunk could have roots extending about 19 feet from the trunk. If you have identified trees where the roots could reach the home, inspect the ground between the tree and the house. Look for signs that the roots are at the surface or up against the house. Next, go to the basement and look at the wall the tree is near. Look to see if the wall has been bowed inward at all. An easy way to check this is with a long straight board. Simply hold it against the wall and it should sit flat on the wall. If the wall is beginning to bow, you will need to contact a professional to deal with the tree and its removal. If the tree is close but NOT pushing on the house, continue to monitor the wall, looking for cracks or bowing. If the tree has the potential to extend into your foundation, the only preventative measure you can take is to keep the tree trimmed to a size where the roots will not need to travel that far.
WARNING: DO NOT CUT ROOTS!!! Especially if they are large roots. While the instinct may be to remove the root pressing on the house; if you cut a main root of the tree you can kill the tree, and potentially make the tree less stable and resistant to wind. NOT a good situation to then have a dead, unstable tree that close to your home!
Problem: Another common issue with large shade tree roots is intrusion into the drain system for the plumbing. Especially in older homes where the main sewer line may be crock (clay) or cast iron, eventually the roots will break through small cracks and begin to clog the pipe, with the end result being a complete failure of the drain line. (Check out our other post on how to remove and keep roots out of your drain.)https://expert-home-inspections.blogspot.com/2019/07/clearing-roots-from-main-sewer-drain.html
Solution: If you do have large trees in your yard, it will be hard to identify if they have compromised your sewer drain until you have an issue. One of the first signs you will see is that the drain begins to run slowly. If you suspect that tree roots may have broken the line, one of the first steps is to have a plumber come out and run a camera down the sewer line. This usually costs about $150, and is worth every penny. With the technology today, a good operator will be able to tell you the condition of your pipe and provide you with video evidence of the entire length of your drain. If it reveals small roots in the line, these can often be kept at bay for some time by pouring about 1/2 gallon of straight, unscented bleach down the drain and letting it sit. The bleach will help to kill the roots. Doing this every month will help keep the roots from growing back as quickly. If there are breaks in the line, you will most likely have to dig up and replace the line.
NOTE: If chlorine bleach is used in a septic system, this process can kill the needed bacteria in the septic tank. Continued or excessive use of chlorine can slow/stop proper septic tank functioning. (Check out our other post on how to remove and keep roots out of your drain for information on controlling roots invading a drain line in a septic system.)
Problem: Finally, the other major concern with shade tree roots is their potential effect on driveways or sidewalks. Again, because these trees tend to have large roots, if they are too close to flat concrete, the roots can crack and even raise the concrete creating not only a trip hazard, but speeding the decay of the concrete.
Solution: Once you have roots pushing up on the driveway or sidewalk, you will need to contact an arborist if your intent is to save the tree. Just as we said earlier, cutting the root can kill the tree and cause more issues. Sometimes the best option in these situations is to route the sidewalk around the root of the tree.
Leaves:
Problem: The leaves of a shade tree can also cause some issues with your home. While it is the leaves that actually provide the shade, when they begin to drop in the fall, they can cause problems. If the trees are over the roof which they likely are if they are providing shade, they will quickly clog up the gutters on your home.
Solution: If you have trees that drop debris onto your roof or gutters you must keep them clean to avoid issues. If maintained regularly, this is often not too bad a project. There are a host of products to help clean gutters, many without even having to use a ladder. However, if you are not able to clean them yourself; this is a project that is definitely worth hiring out. Also, if this is not a project you want to complete a few times a year, we highly recommend installing gutter guards to keep the leaves out in the first place.
Note: While there are many types of gutter protectors available, I do not recommend any one in particular. Each have their own benefits and drawbacks, and will function differently based on your roof, gutters, and what debris is being dropped by the trees.
Problem: In the fall, the leaves can drop and begin to build up on the ground. If this buildup occurs against the house it can cause damage to the home itself. The leaves will trap moisture and can hold that against the home. This can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot. Whats more is it also makes a wonderful home for pests that can eventually invade your home.
Solution: This is the easiest problem to fix...simply walk around your home, and bag up any leaves piled near or against the home!
Branches:
Problem: The same branches that provide us with shade, are also a potential source of damage to your home and property. When branches extend over the roof, they provide more continuous shade. But, when the branches die and break, they can damage your roof. Recently, a client of mine had a branch fall on his roof over the winter; the debris was cleaned up immediately. However, the branch had punctured a pen sized hole in the roof between the shingles. Over the next few months the heavy rain we have had recently, leaked in and began to drip onto the insulation. It wasn't until 4 months later they noticed the ceiling in a bedroom begin to sag. That pen sized hole ended up costing thousands in repairs.
Solution: Keep the trees trimmed! The benefit from the shade of a branch is never worth the potential damage. Keep the branches of trees from extending over the roof of your home, and even from over your driveway where cars are parked. An added benefit -- it will reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do!
As always, thanks for reading our blog, we hope you found these tips helpful! Please check out the rest of our blog for tips or our website at www.expert-home-inspections.com
Solution: If you do have large trees in your yard, it will be hard to identify if they have compromised your sewer drain until you have an issue. One of the first signs you will see is that the drain begins to run slowly. If you suspect that tree roots may have broken the line, one of the first steps is to have a plumber come out and run a camera down the sewer line. This usually costs about $150, and is worth every penny. With the technology today, a good operator will be able to tell you the condition of your pipe and provide you with video evidence of the entire length of your drain. If it reveals small roots in the line, these can often be kept at bay for some time by pouring about 1/2 gallon of straight, unscented bleach down the drain and letting it sit. The bleach will help to kill the roots. Doing this every month will help keep the roots from growing back as quickly. If there are breaks in the line, you will most likely have to dig up and replace the line.
NOTE: If chlorine bleach is used in a septic system, this process can kill the needed bacteria in the septic tank. Continued or excessive use of chlorine can slow/stop proper septic tank functioning. (Check out our other post on how to remove and keep roots out of your drain for information on controlling roots invading a drain line in a septic system.)
Problem: Finally, the other major concern with shade tree roots is their potential effect on driveways or sidewalks. Again, because these trees tend to have large roots, if they are too close to flat concrete, the roots can crack and even raise the concrete creating not only a trip hazard, but speeding the decay of the concrete.
Solution: Once you have roots pushing up on the driveway or sidewalk, you will need to contact an arborist if your intent is to save the tree. Just as we said earlier, cutting the root can kill the tree and cause more issues. Sometimes the best option in these situations is to route the sidewalk around the root of the tree.
Leaves:
Problem: The leaves of a shade tree can also cause some issues with your home. While it is the leaves that actually provide the shade, when they begin to drop in the fall, they can cause problems. If the trees are over the roof which they likely are if they are providing shade, they will quickly clog up the gutters on your home.
Solution: If you have trees that drop debris onto your roof or gutters you must keep them clean to avoid issues. If maintained regularly, this is often not too bad a project. There are a host of products to help clean gutters, many without even having to use a ladder. However, if you are not able to clean them yourself; this is a project that is definitely worth hiring out. Also, if this is not a project you want to complete a few times a year, we highly recommend installing gutter guards to keep the leaves out in the first place.
Note: While there are many types of gutter protectors available, I do not recommend any one in particular. Each have their own benefits and drawbacks, and will function differently based on your roof, gutters, and what debris is being dropped by the trees.
Problem: In the fall, the leaves can drop and begin to build up on the ground. If this buildup occurs against the house it can cause damage to the home itself. The leaves will trap moisture and can hold that against the home. This can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot. Whats more is it also makes a wonderful home for pests that can eventually invade your home.
Solution: This is the easiest problem to fix...simply walk around your home, and bag up any leaves piled near or against the home!
Branches:
Problem: The same branches that provide us with shade, are also a potential source of damage to your home and property. When branches extend over the roof, they provide more continuous shade. But, when the branches die and break, they can damage your roof. Recently, a client of mine had a branch fall on his roof over the winter; the debris was cleaned up immediately. However, the branch had punctured a pen sized hole in the roof between the shingles. Over the next few months the heavy rain we have had recently, leaked in and began to drip onto the insulation. It wasn't until 4 months later they noticed the ceiling in a bedroom begin to sag. That pen sized hole ended up costing thousands in repairs.
Solution: Keep the trees trimmed! The benefit from the shade of a branch is never worth the potential damage. Keep the branches of trees from extending over the roof of your home, and even from over your driveway where cars are parked. An added benefit -- it will reduce the amount of gutter cleaning you have to do!
As always, thanks for reading our blog, we hope you found these tips helpful! Please check out the rest of our blog for tips or our website at www.expert-home-inspections.com
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