Can Trees Damage Your Crawl Space?

Can Tree Roots Damage Your Crawl Space?

While you can’t always see your trees’ roots, they’re fairly active beneath your lawn. Tree roots give your trees all the nutrients they need to survive. As your tree’s needs grow, so will its roots. Unfortunately, those roots can occasionally grow too close to your home.

While tree roots won’t physically start to rip apart the concrete holding up your home, they can still damage your existing crawl space. When tree roots shift around your crawl space, they cause the soil to move with them. As the soil moves, groundwater and rainwater will be able to make their way toward your crawl space. As that hydrostatic pressure builds up around your home, the supports forming your crawl space will start to expand and contract to the point where it may crack while trying to accommodate that moisture. While cracks don’t always spawn moisture, you’ll rapidly find yourself dealing with unwanted seepage if you don’t work to protect your crawl space.

To summarize, tree roots will not physically enter your crawl space and disrupt its structure. Most of the time, your foundation will actively deter them. However, you may deal with related damage as tree roots grow around your crawl space.

How Can You Protect Your Crawl Space From Invasive Roots?

Protecting your crawl space from invasive root systems requires a lot of forethought and some sacrifice, on occasion. The work, however, is worth it when you no longer have to worry about unnecessary moisture making its way into your home.

If you’re looking to protect your crawl space, consider the following:

Choose your trees wisely

Some trees, hedges, and plants have more invasive root systems than others. While planning how you want to landscape your front walk, you’ll want to research the plants you wish to close to your home. Keep the aggressive species farther out in your yard to preserve your crawl space.

Transplant too-large trees

If you’ve moved to a new lot and trees are planted close to your home’s perimeter, you may need to consider transplanting those trees. When you transplant trees, you avoid the cost of overall removal while also retaining your yard’s appeal.

Have your crawl space inspected

When in doubt, it’s best to call a professional to inspect your crawl space. Crawl space professionals can identify potential leak points and advise you on how best to protect your belongings and home.

Waterproof your crawl space

It’s always a good idea to waterproof your crawl space, whether building a new home or moving into an existing one. While your waterproofing options may vary, you can protect your home from the worst of root damage without necessarily removing any trees or altering your landscaping ambitions.

What Trees Should You Avoid Planting Around Your Home?

For homeowners worried about invasive root systems, there is hope! Some trees are known for their fast-growing roots that you can actively avoid while planning out your landscaping. These include:

• American Elms
• Willow Trees
• Hybrid Poplars
• Silver Maples

These tree species have little in common besides their invasive root systems. On one hand, this makes it difficult to say whether or not specific species will negatively impact your crawl space’s structural integrity. On the other hand, it also means you can talk to the representatives at your local nursery to determine whether or not the other trees you may be interested in are safe to plant closer to your home.

When trying to protect your crawl space, don’t forget to consider the trees in your yard. If you think your crawl space leak results from root damage, talk to a professional crawl space repair professional in the Richmond, VA, area. Contractors can inspect your crawl space and provide you with a free service quote.

Crawl Space Repair FAQs

Are There Any DIY Crawl Space Repairs I Can Implement in the Meantime?

Some crawl space repairs might seem simple to implement yourself. Indeed, home improvement stores will offer many enticing solutions to brace your walls or foundation against water damage. 

• Which Options Do Home Improvement Stores Offer? 

Home improvement stores will offer homeowners plenty of smaller solutions to fix their bowed crawl space walls or combat water damage in their homes. Items like smaller dehumidifiers, mold cleaner, or caulking might seem like easy fixes. However, it is good to keep in mind that these work as temporary solutions at best. 

For example, dehumidifiers that you purchase at a store are mainly used in regular bedrooms and the like. You cannot place a store-bought dehumidifier inside your crawl space and expect it to function as well as an industry-grade machine you can get with JES Foundation Repair. 

This is why our encapsulation process is so important. By implementing powerful machines and moisture control techniques together, we can ensure your crawl space will never suffer from water damage, flooding, mold, or any other issues ever again. 

• Here’s Why DIY Solutions Are Not Enough 

You should not rely on these DIY measures for a permanent fix. They are liable to fall apart or deteriorate over time, which means you will have to keep buying the same solutions over and over again. This will only cost you more money in the long run. It may help if your crawl space issues are especially bad and you do not have the time to schedule a crawl space inspection with us right now. 

Still, if your problem lies with your foundation or within the crawl space, you must leave the repairs to the experts. We can install permanent solutions that will save your crawl space, your time, and your money.

Can I handle crawl space moisture myself? 

DIY approaches to crawl space moisture are risky and often ineffective. Professional services from JES Foundation Repair provide thorough, long-lasting solutions. Contact us for a comprehensive assessment and safe resolution.

Is addressing crawl space moisture a sound investment?  

Absolutely. Addressing crawl space moisture protects your home’s structural integrity and ensures a healthier living environment, providing long-term benefits. Delaying action can lead to more severe issues like structural damage and health hazards. Reach out to JES Foundation Repair for a detailed, free inspection and quote. 

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.