Terrible Trees

When planting trees near your home, consider how much the roots may spread. Trees with large roots may spread and damage water pipes or bust up your foundation.

More from House Detective
Filed under: Trees, Home Buying, Maintenance, Plants

Homeowners Jessica Bunker and Adam Malisch are concerned that a tree is forcing its way into their California home. House inspector Rick Yerger is called in to assess the situation.

Inspector's Notebook—Root of a Foundation Problem
The homeowners in Riverside, Calif., thought the root of their foundation problem was a tree growing too close to their house. If a tree isn’t the proper distance away from a house, those roots can get out of control and clog sewer and water lines or cause cracks and damage to the foundation.

If a tree causes damage to the foundation of your home, you’ll need to call in a professional. The tree may have to be removed before the foundation is repaired. That’s why it’s important to do your homework. Determine how big a tree can grow, and how far the root structure can spread to avoid problems spouting up down the road. Here are some general tips to help prevent a potential root problem.

Plant trees at least 10 feet away from the house, depending on how big the tree and roots will grow.
Don’t plant trees above or near sewer or water lines.
Consult with a structural engineer if you believe tree roots have damaged your foundation.
If tree roots are inching closer to your foundation, consider installing a root barricade made of thick Plexiglas. It’s buried deep in the ground and can stem the roots from attacking your house.