Trees might not seem like obvious culprits when protecting your crawl space from unexpected water damage. However, trees with invasive root systems can shift soil around the crawl space, compromising structural integrity. Learn more about this damage and the crack space repair methods that address it below.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 crawl space repair professional in the Richmond, VA, area like JES. We’ll complete a thorough, free crawl space inspection and provide you with a no-obligation repair quote.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Groundworks Editorial Team
