Installing Root Barriers to Protect House Foundations and Sidewalks

We are installing Root Barrier in the backyard of a house in West Seattle. The roots of this Western Red Cedar have started to lift the cement slab off the ground which has started to interfere with the back door of this home. The concern is that the roots of this tree were starting to have negative effects on the foundation of the home. We were asked to expose the roots using an air knife and install a root barrier. Root Barriers are made from interlocking plastic pieces that help guide new roots in a direction away from the surfaces. Many times we encounter immovable obstacles like water lines under a home. We use materials produced by Deep Root out of San Francisco.

[@OverdraftRanch]

Thank you! Love how you explain. We are in the process of installing 30’ of root barrier 3’ from our patio. From So Cal.

[@sfldmu9060]

Great video. Thank you for uploading (from UK)

[@coyote8777]

Well done video. Your instructions were easy to understand.

[@chefbambu9382]

Thanks. Best explanation yet and I like your recommendation on "Root Barrier" to prevent roots from traveling. My black-top driveway is wavey due to pine tree roots. Saludos.

[@RootCauseSeattle]

thank you very much chef!

[@clintrasmussen9066]

ive used several different contruction materials over the years . and this material in particular, underground would last 5 lifetimes. however the roots will just slowly push that stuff out of the way and i dont see it serving its purpose. smart idea, just not sure the material is going to be deflective enough especially with how short it is submerged

[@RootCauseSeattle]

you're right, this is not a forever solution unfortunately.

[@Steven-rp8zo]

Thank you for this video. Imma go out and remove any trees within 20 feet of my house now. Does this owner realize that their monster tree may come crashing into their bedroom one day during a big storm?

[@erickawabata2182]

Great video. Do you have any recommendations for contractors installing Deep Root barriers in the Southern California (Orange County) area? Roots from two Jacaranda trees are uplifting by pool decking. Thanks.

[@subhashishdutta]

Very helpful video. Thanks for posting. Do you know if there are any devices available to "see" where the roots of a tree area and which directions are they growing in ?

[@again5162]

Yeah its an old invention called a spade, it detects anything it hits

[@gizmobently]

just saw your great informative video a day late, as I am putting in a new sidewalk in front of my house. I have root intrusion from a white pine and also a few maples. I had to cut the roots in the path of the sidewalk, and not sure if I killed the tree or not. Regardless, this tree was planted too close to house. If I dig down and put in the barrier along the 25ft area of most tree root intrusions, I will have to cut into the maple tree roots. The tree is too beautiful to cut or to harm by pruning the roots. Is there any way I can cut these roots by using some type of measured distance from tree, or should I just use pavers over these roots and leave them alone? I really have no idea of what to do, but do not want to kill the tree. If I sent you some photos of what this looks like, can you possibly advise me on what my best solution would be? I sure would appreciate it as I do not have anyone in my area that does this sort of thing. thanks

[@JavierBonillaC]

You can always attach a cable or two fixed to the ground to prevent it from falling on the house or, if 3 cables, from falling at all.

[@larrymullins4198]

from an LSU alum- GEAUX Tigers! Thanks for posting the video. Homebuilders dropped 2 live oak trees in every front yard in our subdivision. Now 20 to 30 years later, those once puny little trees are now towering, and have been creating foundation, driveway, and sidewalk issues for virtually everyone. Question for Brian/Root Cause Seattle - Are there any companies you'd recommend or I could check out that provide these root barrier services in the greater Houston area? Thanks in advance for the reply.

[@RootCauseSeattle]

Hey Larry, best if you email Brian directly and he should be able to help you out with a referral. Here's his email, just mention you got it from the YT video > [e-mail]

[@p.rlilly4662]

Hi Larry..I just ran across your comment on this YT video. I am in the Missouri City area and I also have an issue with roots in my front yard along with root suckers. Can you tell me how you handled the issue? Why would they put Oak trees in a front yard?

[@FreethemGuyz]

I see why they would want to keep that tree

[@CU96821]

Just curious, when notching the barrier, does this cause the roots to funnel down to go through the notch and then expand out again once on the other side?

[@RootCauseSeattle]

We are following up with Brian to make sure we get you the right answer

[@FreethemGuyz]

If one or two small root do go through I'm pretty sure the main ones are going to follow the bigger ones

[@alexvega8026]

can you tell us how much the cost of the service provided in the video was?

[@roiad876]

Can I pour concrete on the sides and would that help? How do these work in very rocky hard soils?

[@Reub3]

I need to block roots from a southern magnolia. How deep should I go to block roots?

[@RootCauseSeattle]

that can be a real big tree, meaning real big roots. You may need to get a professional out there to review and see what prune options are available with the barrier, but the barrier is going to have to be deeper than the roots have already grown

[@saqibkhurshid3118]

Hi I have pine trees and the walls are getting cracked what should I do .. I don't want to cut the tree any alternative option..

[@user-cl9ew4ie4g]

What about cement sheet metal barriers

[@imadedenidityaputra1522]

I need advice, I have already planted the Ketapang Kencana tree at a distance of 50 cm from the wall. By installing this material, will it be able to support the roots of the tree?

[@lavoz6816]

Never, no tree should ever be planted 30-50 ft from house depends on house, soil, water / rain

[@mohamedelbasha829]

I was thinking of using the concrete because I need Root Barriers for 1.5 meters below the ground and all around the tree the protect the infrastructure What do you think of this suggestion?

[@RootCauseSeattle]

we'd recommend looking into a barrier, its a lot more flexible, easier to install and remove compared to concrete. Also, it has these grooves in them the guide roots down away from your foundation

[@priceandpride]

doesnt the plastic degrade?

[@RootCauseSeattle]

it's not a permanent solution, eventually it will need to be updated/repaired

[@ckellyarnold845]

I enjoyed your video - I’m in Florida I want to install root barrier on an Oak Tree I will have to cut 5 roots less than 2 inches 15 feet away from tree Will roots beyond barrier continue to grow Will roots inside barrier grow along barrier or over top of it Any concerns Any advice Can I treat roots outside barrier to die if that is needed Thanks great explanation

[@RootCauseSeattle]

all the roots will continue to grow and always grow. But usually they will try to find the easiest route and hopefully that means not through your barrier

[@ryan9891]

Geaux Tigers.

[@rogerwillcocks8106]

If you cut the tree down theres a chance that the dry shrinkable clay will expand as it regains moisture. This needs to be carefully investigarted

[@nicholastorres3381]

Probably be easier to take out the tree entirely.

[@RootCauseSeattle]

easier yes, but the tree is more than just something to look at. Animals live there, it helps absorb nearby water, it provides shade to the non-AC house

[@morganjr1978jr]

By that logic. “Probably easier to take out the house entirely.”

[@timosmand9386]

Great video until I saw your hat! Just kidding. Great video and boo to the tigers!

[@RootCauseSeattle]

Knew I might get some heat from it hahah

[@ChemEDan]

Hawaiian gal on my dashboard 5:52

[@butthole4exitonlymohamond779]

aint it cheaper to just cut the whole tree down!

[@kk-hp6ve]

Waste of money

[@darthmaul216]

How? You get to keep a tree that you love and not have it damage your house

[@Mr2talltom]

too much talk, not enough action.