Are Tree Roots Really Damaging Foundations? - Foundation Repair Tip of the Day

It's HUMP Day!🐫which means Brian's back with another episode of our #FoundationRepair #TipOfTheDay series!
After our recent posts in regards to tree roots, we've had a bunch of questions come in... Mainly asking, are tree roots really able to damage a home's foundation?
Well, in most cases... YES!
In fact, we recently had a project where we found 4" diameter roots breaking through the slab in the master bedroom in Santa Ana, CA!
Tree roots are searching for moisture, so if there's a water leak somewhere the roots will find it!
Do you have big trees located close to your home?
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Dalinghaus Construction proudly services customers in San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, Imperial County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, and all of Central Arizona. If you think your home may be suffering from foundation settlement, visit our website www.dalinghausconstruction.com, call us today at 877-360-9227 and schedule your free, no-obligation foundation inspection with one of our knowledgeable Project Design Specialists.
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For more information regarding foundation repair in Southern California or Central Arizona please visit our website:
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www.dalinghaus...
Or Call Our Office
877-360-9227
877-260-9227
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Dalinghaus Construction, Inc
445 Birch St
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
*Your premier Southern California & Central Arizona Foundation Repair Specialists*
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Lic. #983851
ROC 330307
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[@MrJayforce22]

Here’s the real answer. Yes, roots can destroy your foundation and your plumbing. Especially if your house is built over expansive soils. When a tree is planted too close to the house, the roots will eventually deplete the surrounding soil of moisture and start seeking it in other places. Under your house is a great place to find it. Once that expansive soil is depleted of moisture, it will shrink down to a 1/10th of its fully saturated density and everything above it will drop. This is why you hear about cracks opening and closing, doors working and then being stuck, and various other issues throughout the year. In rainy seasons the trees and soils are happy. In dry seasons, not so much. This is why summer is such a busy season for foundation companies. Homes with trees planted too close will experience differential settlement, which will lead to cracks. If the entire house moved up and down at the same rate, no cracks would form. Since trees increase the settlement locally by drying out the soils containing their roots, certain areas will drop faster, and stress the slab leading to interior and exterior cracks. In north Texas, trees are responsible for almost all foundation and plumbing problems. If you see cracks in your house, look out the window… is there a tree in your view? You now have your culprit. 😃

[@upenderrangu8239]

Hello Sir, thanks for the vedio. I have planted 3 christmas palm trees on top of driange pipeline with the gap of 4 feet and close to my house wall. Please suggest is this creates issues?

[@princemathew1514]

Does mango tree roots damage foundation which is 6 ft away from my house.

[@sandygovender8606]

Hi I'm from south Africa. I have two pine trees situated very close to the house and I am worried about the foundation of the house is becoming a problem .how can I fix this and whom should I contact as this is an urgent matter. Thank you

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

Where about in South Africa? You'll want to find a foundation repair contractor that can come look to see if the roots are impacting the home's foundation. You can either then install root barriers or remove the tree altogether

[@sandygovender8606]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc I'm situated near the Durban area. Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated

[@sandygovender8606]

Hi yes the pine trees are about a metre from the house and about 4 metres high

[@5710fpilot]

I'm curious how some places have trees or plants growing in thier home (atrium style) how do they construct it so they don't become a huge issue?

[@mikeschulik8822]

Hello. Have you ever seen a situation where an entire slab had to be replaced? I just started a remodel and after pulling up the flooring, I have cracks everywhere. I also have heaved sidewalk and a heaved and split back patio. I dug out 2 toilet drains and found roots in both. I cut down two trees in my front yard. The pine tree and the eucalyptus tree both seem to have extensive root systems. I’m wondering if I should call my insurance company? Thank you for any help you can provide.

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

Definitely sounds like you should give your insurance company a call!

[@jwagner1993]

I hate trees close to the house

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

So do we!!

[@cabezitadealgodon]

Excellent video. Will you all provide consulting for home owners outside of California?

[@jameswalker590]

What if you have a large tree near your house and you just water it? Instead of digging up the floor and spending $10-15k to replace it, could I just water the trees with a soaker hose? I have ceramic tile over my slab floor and it seems to crack/concrete raises up in the fall.

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

It really depends on the soil conditions and how close the large tree is to the home... In most cases if you continue to water the tree, especially with a soaker hose, you'll likely see the expansive clay soils expand and cause areas of the tile to heave and crack.... We'd probably recommend removing the tree.

[@josetupaz3596]

Hi.. What if the tree is already established and lets say roots are matured enough, can we still build a house beside the tree? We want to use the shade from the tree and adjust the design so we dont need to cut the roots. What do you think? Its a 50sqm lot and probably a low ceiling house minimalist style.

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

Hey Jose, if you are adamant about building next to an existing tree we would recommend that you either do a deepened footing in the area or install something known as a root barrier. You can get them in various lengths and they will help with preventing the tree roots from growing under your home's foundation.

[@jayr1987ss]

What about a lime tree 3 feet away from my house? I just planted this last weekend but if I need to i will pull it out and put it further away

[@davidgolfer]

Good stuff here... just removed two 20 year old trees from close to house foundation in the nick of time... three inch roots found growing underneath house searching for water source!

[@ShadowPitt]

If my palm tree roots is cracking my neighbors concrete will I be liable ?

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

Great question! It really depends on the state & county that you're located. Generally speaking, in California, the tree's owner would be held liable for damage caused by the tree or its roots... but we've never seen a cut & dry case, and it'll typically involve a pretty time consuming and expensive lawsuit.

[@ebutuoy5088]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc that's my situation. My neighbor planted 6 giant alder trees in his backyard and now 30 years later my driveway and garage are cracked. I'm now sending a bill due dor a contractor bid.

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

I'm in a dilemma here guys I need some structural engineering help. Could someone please help via mail?

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

Hi Kurdt, We apologize for the delayed reply. You can shoot whatever questions you have or requests to us at [e-mail]

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

*Answer, hell no! Tree roots only point to problems.* Then, yes make said problem a lot worse until repaired. Unless new seedling began growing up right against foundation line, and then inevitably increase in girth overtime. Tree roots needing oxygen primarally stay within first foot of soil line. Sinking ground or settling foundation usually results when large tree root underneath dies off and begins decomposing. Back in the ancient days, when engineers wanted to hydraulically crack a boulder. They would insert a young tree root and pinch of soil in between small crack, then patiently wait for root to inevitably increase in girth. Already existing trees before New foundation built, will continue to go straight out from where they were severed underground. And may take advantage of loosened soil redeposited around poured foundation. Since loosened soil contains more spaces in between, allowing rain water and oxygen to travel at a deeper level. And regarding other infrastructure. Trees Actually take advantage of already damaged drain pipes and cracking foundations. Both conditions attracted by moisture. Ironically when engineers intentionally compact grade directly under sidewalk slabs, tree roots that can no longer grow deeper underneath oxygenless compacted grade. Instead grow directly on top of the ground surface crossing over to find better soil elsewhere. In fact because temperature differences underneath cool sidewalk slab actually causes atmospheric moisture to condense and drip. Engineer's actually invite roots to grow underneath. So in the end, surface Root production result of roots that cannot grow deeper into compact soil. And nothing to do with its species nor because tree have been planted too high. Thus installing tree deeper will not prevent surface root growth.

[@anirudhashahide1408]

Bro I need your urgent help .Iam facing the same foundation issue as well as pipe system issue

[@anirudhashahide1408]

Plz reply fast bro

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

@@anirudhashahide1408, slow down and hurry up! Then it looks like you're situations search terms led you to this perfect video. First suggestion is to call 611, which is a free utility location service that will come out and Mark where the gas and water lines are before you dig. I'm not sure if you're asking question to the professional irrigation plumber. Or to me the professional arborist. Unless you're a good do-it-yourselfer, a good suggestion would be to call in a local professional. From my experience tree roots compound cracked foundation problems. Just make sure to cleanly sever root end on an angle where Roots won't grow back tward pipe.

[@anirudhashahide1408]

@@CONCERTMANchicago lol 611 what.iam from. India.and iam just 16 .If I told my parents to do all these they would just laugh.j want to kept it secret

[@CONCERTMANchicago]

Anirudha, I used to be a kid once too! We're so lucky that our parents teach us everything they know, then we can start teaching them about things they don't. Ciao India!

[@yuviabarajas325]

😪😪 i just got a house with huge trees close to the house i dont want to get rid of them😪😪😪

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

It's definitely something to think about!

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc Hi I live in India, My building is 20 years old. Relatively old concrete apartment. I have huge almond tree growing (30 feet tall), 5 metres away from the building. Many people in my building are wanting to cut the tree. Because they say it's roots are entering the building's foundation through the paver blocks and concrete, And can hamper it's structure? What should I do? Please help as I don't want people to cut that old almond tree. I can send you pictures also

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc please help

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

@@travellerextraordinnaire7388 You can try to transplant them or if you are able to install a root barrier those are about your only 2 choices if you are looking to keep the tree and not have potential damage to the building's foundation.

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc thank you

[@bridypow1947]

The broken foundation answer ty

[@originalrockhead]

I have a small apple tree in my back garden near the fence at the foot of the lawn. My lawn is a uneven; it slopes towards the back fence. I know a retaining wall would need to be built to help give me a flatter lawn, but am worried that it might damage/get to close to the apple tree roots and end up causing issues down the line. Any advice?

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

It's hard to say without seeing the situation, but utilizing a root barrier should prevent any future issues on a new retaining wall.

[@keenlearner9486]

please give a piece of advice. the width of street is 20 feet where there are two or three story-buildings on both sides . I wished to plant mango /Jamun along side the road. Having watched your video, I gave it up. So kindly suggest me the best plants for the narrow space which may be best for environment too ( reduce warming/heat)

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

We'd recommend: Small ornamental trees, such as dogwood, redbud, Japanese map, crepe myrtle and star magnolia. Vining plants for ground covers, such as liriope, ivy, creeping juniper, periwinkle and sweet woodruff.

[@keenlearner9486]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc thank for the suggestion .

[@linc008]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc how about fruit trees like apple trees?

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

@@linc008 Unfortunately apple trees can have a pretty large root system

[@dorothyhandfield4997]

Wow

[@avani-kq4mw]

People hating trees near to their house! People, your house is near to that tree and you are damaging the tree

[@kneebarx]

is it better to burn the roots or dig and remove them entirely

[@bdalinghaus]

Dig and remove completely will give you the best results. Along with adding root barriers while you have it excavated.

[@kneebarx]

thanks

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

Hi I live in India, My building is 20 years old. Relatively old concrete apartment. I have huge almond tree growing (30 feet tall), 5 metres away from the building. Many people in my building are wanting to cut the tree. Because they say it's roots are entering the building's foundation through the paver blocks and concrete, And can hamper it's structure? What should I do? it's urgent because I don't want these people to cut the tree please help.

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

5 meters away is relatively close... Is there any proof that the roots have made their way to the building? If so... it's only going to get worse. It's hard to say without inspecting the building, but your guys' best bet would probably be to cut the tree down and plant several more almond trees further away!

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc I don't know If the roots have entered or not, it's just a vague accusation they are making against the tree, sadly in the periphery of my building around 1sq km, there is no normal ground , everything is concretised I wanted to save this last remaining tree. But it's not just that ! These people are cutting the tree because birds which come on it shit on the concrete and sometimes on their heads too. These are Butthurt guys! But I'll fight them.

[@travellerextraordinnaire7388]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc can you share your mail ID so that I can share the photographs. I would like to make a correction it's 2mts away from my building the stem diameter is around 6inches so how much will be the size of the roots. Also will they grow laterally?

[@kotresh]

Any updates bro?

[@cavitycreep]

My neighbors tree roots keep breaking my water line

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

That's no good! It's happened several times?

[@cavitycreep]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc Advise?

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

@@cavitycreep have the tree removed!

[@cavitycreep]

@@DalinghausConstructionInc not my tree to remove

[@DalinghausConstructionInc]

@@cavitycreep If it keeps breaking your water line than there aren't really any other effective options... It's just going to continue happening.