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Foundation Repair Articles

Can tree roots hurt my foundation?

Tree Roots and Foundation Problems… Could You Be Growing A Problem?

Tree roots and foundation problems can go hand in hand as shown here.

While moisture under house tends to cause soil to expand, tree roots on one side can reduce moisture and cause foundation failure.

 

The impact of tree roots on concrete slab foundations is a controversial subject.  In our experience tree roots cause substantial foundation damage in North Texas.

Tree roots can extend as much as 5 times the canopy height of a tree.  In periods of drought, tree roots seek out water.

According to Dr. Tom Witherspoon, if the soil under your foundation is more moist than the soil outside, the  tree roots will seek out the water from under your house.  As the moisture content drops, clay soil shrinks, and the foundation support in that area is reduced.  The net result is foundation failure and the need for foundation repair.

How much should I water my foundation to avoid foundation repair or problems?

Over-watering foundation and soil can lead to serious foundation repairs.

The goal is to maintain uniformly moist soil to maintain a properly supported foundation.

Each side of your house may require a different amount of water. The southwest side of a Dallas Fort Worth house in the summer may require 50% more water than the northeast side.

Trees and bushes absorb water, but also shade the soil from drying hot summer sun.

In areas where there is less than 20 feet between houses, you also have to take into account how much your neighbor waters. If you neighbor won’t turn down the sprinkler system and is creating a marsh around your house, a french drain or surface drainage system may be needed.

To avoid foundation problems from over or under watering, always keep the soil moist, and never allow it to dry or become muddy. This requires year around maintenance to avoid foundation problems.

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