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Many house foundations stand strong for decades with no problems at all. But foundation contractors see many issues in their line of work, and trees are either causing or preventing them from happening. Here are the ways that trees affect your home’s foundation.

The Ways Trees Affect a Home’s Foundation

Negatives

Foundation ExpertsCracked foundations are sometimes due to roots digging into poured concrete or rubble stones. Most homeowners imagine that trees far away from the home can’t cause problems, but trees spread their roots about three times farther than their branches. It’s likely that roots are in contact with the foundation even if there aren’t trees close to the house. Plus, even small roots cause foundation cracks. Sometimes these are harmless, but they widen over time, allowing water into basements and beneath the home.

Trees also shift the soil that supports and surrounds the home’s foundation. Because trees absorb large amounts of water, they cause massive moisture absorption that makes soil move and change in density. As roots grow, they displace, compact, or loosen the soil and destabilize a home’s framework, causing homes to shift and settle in ways that require repairs from foundation contractors.

Positives

Having trees on your property isn’t all bad news, though. Trees also improve the longevity of the foundation by preventing soil erosion and draining excess water. Roots are excellent tools for preventing soil from washing out. If your property floods, trees absorb water before it floods the basement or causes soil to shift dramatically.

Your foundation could be harmed or supported by the trees on your property. The only way to know for sure is to have your home regularly inspected by foundation contractors.

 

If you’re looking for foundation contractors to give you an opinion about your home, Hillside Landscaping in Anchorage, AK, specializes in the highest quality home foundation repairs. The team has been serving the area for over 25 years. Visit their website to learn more about their services and call (907) 522-4457 to speak to a representative. 

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