Trees are often an attractive addition to any property, adding beauty and curb appeal to any landscape. However, certain types of trees cause significant plumbing and foundation problems in homes.
Popular trees planted around homes may have roots that penetrate the cracks in the home's structure and plumbing over time, leading to significant damage.
It is crucial to understand why certain types of trees may cause plumbing and foundation issues. Trees require water, nutrients, and space to grow, and some types require large amounts of water to survive.
When trees do not receive the necessary amounts of water, they will send their roots to search for it, and the nearest source is often the pipes in your home.
Unfortunately, most pipes are not strong enough to withstand the foundation penetration of a thirsty tree. The spread of a tree's height is often constant due to the space left around the tree for the foundation system to spread and grow, and they need plenty of space to grow upward and outward.
As a result, it is essential to avoid certain trees or remove them (if possible) from your home landscape unless you have a large property with ample space for them to grow unobstructed.
Willow trees
For instance, they are known to be massive and grand, requiring a lot of land space to flourish and grow properly. However, the natural habitat of willow is damp and nutrient-rich, and most home yards don't have soil capable of providing enough nutrients for this type of tree to survive, causing them to actively search for nutrients at all costs, leading to significant damage.
Citrus fruit trees,
Lemon, mango, orange, and grapefruit trees require many elements, moisture, sunshine, and nutrients, which are often unavailable near homes or buildings. As a result, their roots venture into pipes, causing significant damage and issues to the surrounding pipes and home structure. Homeowner associations often veto the planting of citrus fruit trees for this reason. Birch, poplar, magnolia, and oak trees are other examples of trees that can cause significant plumbing and foundation issues.
Birch trees
Poplar trees can grow anywhere from forty to fifty feet into the air, and they provide shade and beauty that are attractive to homeowners. Still, all thirty-five varieties have incredibly invasive root systems that grow near the surface, making them unfavorable choices for planting near homes.
Magnolia trees
They are beautiful and almost enchanting in appearance. Still, their roots tend to expand on the land's surface rather than deep into the ground, causing severe damage to a home's structure and plumbing.
On the other hand, oak trees have a taproot that grows straight down into the ground to provide nutrients and moisture, but as the tree matures, additional roots can grow laterally, causing problems for sewer and plumbing systems.
In conclusion, if you plan to plant trees near your home, you must know the types of trees that can cause plumbing and foundation problems. By avoiding or removing these trees, you can prevent significant damage to your home over time.
It is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional plumbing service provider, such as St Charles Plumbing Company, located in St Charles, Missouri. This company has been in the service business since 2017 and provides quality plumbing services.