Foundation and Plants

Plants and trees can add beauty to your landscape, but as our Pennsylvania homeowners learned, beauty can sometimes create a beast. The biggest mistake homeowners make is planting trees and shrubs too close to the foundation. This can cause problems when the plants and the roots mature and expand. Acid in leaves contacting wood can cause rot. And roots can cause structural damage. You can avoid planting problems with a little bit of planning:

• Check with your local nursery before you plant to make sure trees and shrubs will not grow too large for the location.
• Full sized trees should be no closer than 15 feet from the foundation, driveway or walkway.
  
• Trees and plants should be pruned regularly to reduce the chances of contact with your homes exterior. Overgrown landscaping can become a stairway for critters into your home.

Trees and plants can beautify your property. But without proper planting and care, they can also be a pain in the pocketbook.

Guests
Russell Allen
Inspector, A.A. Home Inspection Service, Inc.
Eldersburg, MD
Phone: 410-781-7177
E-mail: aahome@erols.com
Also in this Episode

House Detective : Episode HDT-511
•	Foundation and Plants
•	Tips on Insulating Your Home