Fun Facts: Tree roots extend out from the trunk of a tree 1.5 to 2.5 times the height of the tree. The roots on a 50-foot oak tree will extend out 75 to 100 feet!
Trees can badly damage foundations. Trees rarely lift foundations. Trees almost always cause foundations to sink. When expansive clay soils dry out, they shrink. When the soil under your foundation shrinks, the foundation sinks.
Trees use lots of water. A large tree can use 100’s of gallons of water every day. The larger a tree, the more water it uses. As trees suck water out of the soil, they dry the soil. As the soils dry, they shrink.
Water moves from wetter soil to drier soil. When a tree dries out the soil in your yard, water moves from the moist soil under your house into the front yard. To affect your foundation, a tree does not need to have roots under the foundation.
Tree roots go a long way from the trunk, well beyond the ends of the branches, to 1.5 to 2.5 times the height of the tree. On urban lots, most trees can not be planted far enough from a house to prevent the trees from affecting the foundation.
If you have trees that are affecting your foundation, the best solution is a tree root barrier. To be effective, a foundation root barrier should be at least 3 feet deep. The tree root barrier should be made of a material that will also act as a moisture barrier. If you leave 2 to 3 feet between the tree root barrier, which also acts as a moisture barrier, and your foundation, you can put a soaker hose along the foundation. The soaker hose will allow you water as needed and to keep the soil under the foundation damp. The space also allows you to landscape around your foundation.
If you have large trees on your lot and think you might need a foundation root barrier, call Advanced Foundation Repair before the hot dry summer comes. Request a Quote today!