That big, beautiful tree in your yard might add charm and shade, but it could also be quietly putting your home’s foundation at risk. If you’re a homeowner in Wake Forest, NC, or a surrounding area, and you’ve spotted cracks in your walls or uneven floors, tree roots might be to blame.
Many homeowners brush off the early signs, thinking it’s just normal settling. But if those tree roots are creeping toward your foundation, it could lead to serious structural problems, and sooner than you think. That’s where foundation repair becomes not just a fix, but a necessity.
At Vanco Crawlspace & Restoration, we’ve helped homeowners across Kittrell and the greater Wake Forest area understand how tree roots can damage their foundations and what steps they can take to prevent or repair the issue. In this post, we’ll break down how the damage happens, which trees are most likely to cause it, and, most importantly, what you can do to protect your home.
How Roots Actually Harm Your Foundation
Tree root foundation damage rarely happens, as depicted in cartoons, where roots punch through solid concrete. The damage caused is a bit more subtle, but just as serious to the structural integrity of your house. It primarily happens in two ways.
First, as large roots grow and expand, they exert pressure on anything in their path. Over many years, this steady force can exploit tiny, existing foundation cracks, making them much bigger. It essentially acts as a slow-motion wrecking ball against your foundation, especially in older homes with weaker masonry.
The second, more common issue, is related to soil moisture. Large trees are incredibly thirsty, and their roots can pull gallons of water from the soil around your foundation. When clay soil dries out, it shrinks and pulls away from the concrete, creating empty spaces or voids.
Your house is heavy, and it will begin to settle or sink into these new voids. This process is how a sinking foundation can happen, causing severe structural damage throughout your home. This is often a major problem in areas with compacted soil.
Trees That Can Cause Problems Near Your Home
Not all trees are the same. Some tree species have aggressive, shallow root systems that are notorious for causing problems for foundations. If you have one of these, you’ll want to pay closer attention to your foundation.
| Tree Species | Root Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Willow Trees | Their roots are drawn to any moisture source, including leaky sewer lines and damp soil. |
| Silver Maples | These have very shallow roots that are often visible at the soil surface, cracking sidewalks, and pushing against foundations. |
| American Elms | Similar to willows, these have roots that search for water and can dehydrate the soil under your home, leading to settlement. |
| Hybrid Poplars | Bred for fast growth, their tree roots grow just as quickly and are known to be invasive. |
You should plant large trees at least 20 feet away from your home. For trees known to have invasive tree roots, a distance of 25–50 feet is a much safer bet to prevent problems.
Signs of Tree Root Foundation Damage
How do you know if you have a problem with tree root damage? The signs often appear inside your home first. You might not see the roots growing, but you’ll see the trouble they’re causing.
- Cracks in walls: New cracks appearing in your drywall or plaster, especially around door and window frames, are a classic sign of foundation movement.
- Sticking doors and windows: A foundation that has shifted will twist your home’s frame. This makes doors and windows difficult to open or close properly.
- Sloping floors: If you feel like you’re walking downhill in certain rooms, use a level to check your floors for unevenness. This is a common indicator that roots are affecting the foundation.
- Visible foundation cracks: Walk around the outside of your home. Any visible cracks in the concrete or brick exterior, or even sidewalk damage, could point to a major issue.
- Crawl space issues: If you have a crawl space, check it for moisture, musty smells, or new cracks. These can be early warnings that tree roots affect the area under your home.
How To Protect Your Foundation from Trees
What can you do if you have a beautiful, mature oak that you don’t want to subject to tree removal? You have several options to prevent or stop the damage. Taking action can prevent costly repairs down the line.
The best defense is proactive tree planting. When planting new trees, choose trees with less invasive roots. Trees such as crab apples or dogwoods are generally safer for planting closer to a home and are less likely to damage foundations.
For existing trees, you can consider installing root barriers. These are panels made of plastic or metal buried in the ground to redirect root growth downward and away from the foundation. Professional assistance is recommended for installing root barriers correctly.
Watering your tree properly during dry spells can also help mitigate damage. If the tree has enough water close to its trunk, its roots may be less likely to spread out toward your house. This can help prevent roots from causing damage in their search for moisture.
For homes with a crawl space, crawl space encapsulation can offer another layer of protection. This involves sealing the crawl space with a heavy-duty vapor barrier. This helps control moisture levels, making the area less attractive to thirsty tree roots.
Who Handles Tree Root Problems?
If you have spotted the signs and are pretty sure a tree is the culprit, fixing the root damage requires a team approach. This isn’t a simple do-it-yourself job. Attempting to kill tree roots yourself can cause more harm than good, including significant root loss that destabilizes the tree.
You’ll likely need two experts: a professional arborist and a foundation repair contractor. An arborist can assess the tree’s health and the extent of its root system. They can sometimes install root barriers or carefully trim the tree’s roots without harming the tree.
If your neighbor’s tree roots damage your property, the situation can get tricky. Many local laws allow you to trim roots that cross your property line. However, if this harms their tree, you could be liable, so always talk to your neighbor and check local codes first.
A foundation repair contractor will handle the structural side. They’ll assess the damage to your foundation, which may include checking for issues with your drain tile or sewer lines. After a thorough inspection, they’ll propose a solution to stabilize your home for the long term.
Key Takeaways
Those majestic trees add so much to your property, but being aware of the risks is smart. Paying attention to the signs of tree root foundation damage and knowing which trees are problematic can save you from a huge headache. Addressing the early signs of damage to your foundation is also far easier and less expensive than fixing a major structural failure.
If you suspect that tree roots affect your home’s foundation, don’t wait for a small crack to become a big problem. You can prevent root damage from escalating with the right strategy. Get professional help from an arborist and a foundation specialist to protect your home and your peace of mind.
