Ficus trees, for example, have very aggressive root systems and even a small ficus tree planted close to a structure could cause foundation damage. Oaks and maples have massive root systems, but actually may cause less damage because their roots generally go around obstructions rather than through them.
Ash, Poplar, and Locusts trees also caused more damage to homes in relation to their population. Trees that grow fast above ground grow equally as fast below ground, so you should not plant these trees near sidewalks, pipes, or homes.
E.g.: Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet away from a 6-foot shrub.
The best materials to landscape around a foundation will inhibit weed growth, provide a proper water drainage system, and won't attract pests. With years of landscaping experience, we have determined that the four best landscaping materials around the foundation are gravel, rubber mulch, concrete, and brick masonry.
DO give your plants enough space to grow properly without harming your house. Trees or shrubs planted too close to a house can send down roots that harm the foundations or water and sewer pipes, or exclude breezes and cause mold and mildew on the siding. Plus, their mulch could invite termites.
Answer: Tree roots can damage a house foundation, with an invitation to do so. Tree roots are very opportunistic and will only grow and penetrate where it is easiest to grow such as friable soils and mulch.
Leave at least two feet of space between your foundation and the planting area. Watering plants directly against your foundation will cause moisture build-up, which can lead to mold, termites, and costly damage.
Gravel (and other rocks) act as barriers that shun rain and other forms of precipitation away from a building's foundation. Another benefit of using rock for drainage is that exposed rock absorbs the heat from sunlight more than other materials like mulch.
To solve patio problems like this, a landscaper will remove pavers and add new soil and pea gravel. As a result, water will run away from your foundation, and water pooling problems will disappear. In many basement water situations, a professional is the only person who can properly diagnose the problem.
Consider how big the mature plant will be when planning out the garden area. If you acquired cut offs from a friend, and do not know the variety of plant, the general rule is to plant each hostas 3 feet from other plants. Hostas are shade tolerant, so planting it near buildings or foundations will work well.
Rain gardens act like a sponge to absorb excess water that pools near the home, preventing it from seeping into the foundation. Plant a rain garden in a natural depression or dig a shallow depression at least 10 feet from the foundation.
Plant small growing shrubs at least 24 inches from the foundation wall. Smaller understory trees should be planted no less that 3 to 4 feet from the anchoring corners. Add spice along side your foundation plantings. Once you've planted your basic foundation plantings, add some color or spice to the area.
Put another way, a successful foundation planting starts with picking the right plants in the right proportion: evergreens to provide the structural bones of the beds year-round, deciduous and flowering shrubs to add texture, and perennials of varying heights that yield long-lasting color.
When water from heavy rain, flooding, melting snow, plumbing leaks, and broken water lines saturates the soils around the home, this weakens their load-bearing capacity. First, let's discuss the three main ways that water affects the soil around the home, often resulting in significant foundation and structural damage.
This encourages water to collect around your foundation and will make your problem even worse. If your foundation soil is pitched towards your home, it's recommended that you add dirt to the area until the slope moves away from the house (this is known as “grading”). This soil should be dense- preferably clay soil.
Start by digging a trench around the house, lay a drainpipe with holes in the trench, then cover it with gravel. Top it off with soil. The pipe will direct water away from the foundation. The trench should be three to four feet deep, two to three feet wide, and have a 3% to 5% downslope to direct rainwater effectively.
Through foundation cracks – No matter the size, water can use foundation cracks to enter your basement or crawl space. Through degrading concrete – If sections of your foundation slab or walls begin to deteriorate, water can use the openings to enter your foundation.
Unlike mulch, rock doesn't decay and will last for years. Fewer pests: Because mulch is made of wood, it tends to attract pets, some of which can wreak havoc on your house; termites, for example. Conversely, with rocks, there's no need to worry about pests, because it doesn't attract bugs or insects.
To fix or improve the grading, you can add soil next to the foundation and slope away from the house, however, you should have at least four inches of your foundation (concrete, block, or stone) showing above the soil. The soil and vegetation should not be in contact with the siding or any wood.
The main reason why you have to keep the soil around your home moist is that the dirt can dry out and shrink. When this occurs, the foundation can settle or tip, causing walls to crack, doors to stick, and floors to become uneven.
Keep wood mulch six inches from the foundation or perimeter of your home. Close up the space between the exterior walls and flowerbeds using gravel.
Experts recommend not laying it any thicker than 3 inches. This depth will make it easier to put out if it does catch on fire. You can also leave a space of at least 18 inches between where you lay the mulch and the foundation of your home.
We trench right up next to the home's foundation and treat your home with a termiticide. Any disruption of this application could contribute to a termite invasion. It is best to leave a 1-foot gap of bare ground in between the mulch and your home's foundation.