Investing in landscaping is a great way to enhance the appearance and value of your commercial property. However, poor landscaping can significantly impact the property’s foundation.
For instance, inadequate drainage, overwatering, or planting large trees too close to the property can lead to soil erosion, excess moisture, or root intrusion, causing foundation shifts and cracks.
If you’re thinking about landscaping around a commercial property, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, the experts at Granite Foundation Repair Inc will go over the potential dangers of landscaping near a commercial foundation and provide essential tips on how to avoid them.
The Risks of Landscaping Around Commercial Foundation.
Landscaping around the foundation of a commercial property requires ample consideration and planning. Wrong landscaping decisions can cause serious damage to the property’s foundation and, ultimately, its overall value.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning to landscape around a commercial foundation:
Planting Trees and Shrubs Near Commercial Foundation:
If you’re planning to plant trees around your commercial property, you should think very carefully about their placement and the type of climate they will survive in before you begin landscaping. Trees’ roots can severely affect the property’s foundation in many ways, including the following:
- Root Intrusion: Tree and shrub roots can grow into foundation cracks or gaps, expanding over time and causing serious structural issues. This intrusion can weaken the foundation and lead to costly repairs.
- Soil Movement: Tree roots can absorb moisture from the soil, making it shrink and dry out. This shrinkage can lead to soil settlement, resulting in foundation movement and cracks.
- Increased Moisture Levels: Overwatering trees and shrubs near the foundation can cause excess moisture in the soil. This can generate excessive hydrostatic pressure against the foundation walls, causing them to crack or bow.
- Blockage of Drainage Systems: Tree roots can infiltrate and clog drainage systems, preventing water from properly flowing away from the foundation. This can cause water accumulation around the foundation, leading to water damage and erosion.
- Physical Damage from Growth: As trees and shrubs grow, their trunks and branches can come into direct contact with the foundation, applying pressure and causing physical damage.
- Leaf and Debris Accumulation: Leaves and debris from nearby trees and shrubs can clog gutters and downspouts, leading to improper drainage and water pooling near the foundation.
- Pest Infestations: Trees and shrubs can attract pests like termites and ants, which can then access and damage the foundation and structure of the property.
Removing Trees and Shrubs Near Commercial Foundation
Planting trees isn’t the only landscaping project that poses a risk to your property’s foundation. Removing trees or shrubs that are close to your property’s foundation can cause the following damage if not planned and executed carefully:
- Soil Instability: Removing trees and shrubs can disturb the soil, leading to erosion or settling, which can destabilize the foundation and cause cracks or shifts.
- Sudden Moisture Changes: Trees and shrubs help regulate soil moisture levels. Their removal can result in sudden changes in moisture, causing the soil to contract or expand, impacting the foundation’s stability.
- Loss of Soil Support: Roots can provide structural support to the soil. Without them, the soil may become loose and unable to adequately support the foundation, leading to potential movement or sinking.
- Exposure to the Elements: Trees and shrubs offer protection from wind and water. Their removal can increase the exposure of the foundation to these elements, potentially causing damage over time.
- Potential Damage During Removal: The process of removing trees and shrubs, especially large ones, can cause direct physical damage to the foundation if not done carefully.
Tips for Landscaping Around a Commercial Property Without Damaging the Foundation
Landscaping your commercial property can give it a boost, making it more attractive to potential renters and enhancing its overall value. To avoid any problems you should carefully plan the landscaping process.
Here are some tips to help you:
Grade Your Soil
Some types of soil and mulch are more vulnerable to constant movement or water accumulation. So, it’s important to understand what type of soil is near your property and take care of it.
Before you start landscaping, take the time to grade your soil away from your building’s foundation to ensure water can run off the soil and water accumulation from damaging your property.
Plant Trees Within a Safe Distance From the Foundation
Planting trees or shrubs too close to a property can negatively affect its foundation. Tree roots can affect the foundation by tending to grow wider than the width of the canopy, so it’s important to plant any trees within a safe distance of your property.
Here are some guidelines you can follow to prevent foundation issues:
- Small trees (up to 30 feet tall) should be planted 8 to 10 feet from the property
- Medium trees (around 30 and 70 feet tall) should be planted at least 15 feet from the building.
- Large trees (over 70 feet): at least 20 feet away from the property
The rules for shrubs and small bushes are different, as their root systems aren’t as far-reaching as trees. You can plant medium-height shrubs at least 3 feet from the property without running the risk of damaging your foundation.
As for plants, you can safely place them as close as 6 inches from your foundation, as their small root systems are unlikely to cause any damage.
Establish a Good Drainage System
When planting trees around a commercial property, you should also install drainage systems and grates. Some types of drains you should consider are:
- Surface drains: These drains are typically installed just below ground level and are used to prevent rainwater from sloping down into a foundation.
- Channel drains: Also installed below ground level, these types of drains are specifically used to collect water from hardscapes and concrete surfaces.
- French drains: These drains are designed to collect subsurface water, that is any water that would flow right past a typical surface drain.
- Retaining walls: These strong, sturdy drains are a great option for preventing run-off water from eroding the soil near your property.
It is important to properly research the common drainage issues, before choosing one to install.
Choose Trees and Plants Carefully
There are hundreds of options available for landscaping. However, not all types of trees or plants will be a good choice. Before you begin landscaping, you should research what plants and trees are native to the location and terrain of your building, as these plants will require less maintenance and will have higher chances of growing strong.
Then, you should research how tall or big the trees will grow and how extensive their root systems tend to be to give you an idea of how far away from the property you should place them!
Bottom Line
Careful consideration is necessary when landscaping around a commercial property. Planting or removing trees near the property can critically damage its foundation.
That’s why it’s important to grade your soil, research the best types of foliage for your area, establish good drainage systems, and plant any trees, shrubs, bushes, and plants from a safe distance from your property.
By following these tips, you will maintain foundation stability and prevent damage.
If you need further help determining the best way to landscape your commercial property, contact Granite Foundation Repair Inc! As the leading foundation repair company in the Dallas Fort-Worth area, we can provide guidance and ensure the safety of your investment throughout the landscaping process.