Bushes against masonry

[Leon Slack]

In Chicago, I see a lot of bushes against masonry walls. Since bushes against siding causes the wood rotting concern, should I report bushes against masonry as a problem?

[Nick Gromicko]

Oh, I thought you meant President Bush's daughters, Jenna and Barbara, falling down:

[Linas Dapkus]

I prefer my bushes trimmed....and clean.

[Nick Gromicko]

I'll get Kenton to post a narrative for you tomorrow.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by lslack

In Chicago, I see a lot of bushes against masonry walls. Since bushes against siding causes the wood rotting concern, should I report bushes against masonry as a problem?

No..

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Vegetation against exterior walls
Vegetation growing against the exterior walls may introduce pests and/or accelerate deterioration of the exterior wall covering by retaining moisture. Watering this vegetation will introduce moisture to the soil which may eventually reach the foundation. Moisture in soil supporting the foundation can affect the ability of the foundation to support the weight of the structure above and can cause damage from soil heaving or settling, depending on soil composition and other conditions.
The Inspector recommends trimming or removal of the vegetation from contact with exterior walls. Consider replacement with vegetation having low water requirements.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

No..

Why not?

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by jjonas

Why not?

With Leon's question concerning brick/masonry alone, I see no problem.

Kenton's narrative is more elaborate concerning the house/building in general.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

With Leon's question concerning brick/masonry alone, I see no problem.

Kenton's narrative is more elaborate concerning the house/building in general.

Leon's question, and Kenton's narrative are exactly why I always report on vegetation if it is within 12 inches of masonry. At a minimum, I comment on the need for regular maintenance.

You have never seen damage to masonry such as spalling due to the moisture in the wall freezing? Perhaps you need to move those shrubs out of the way more often!

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by jjonas

Leon's question, and Kenton's narrative are exactly why I always report on vegetation if it is within 12 inches of masonry. At a minimum, I comment on the need for regular maintenance.

You have never seen damage to masonry such as spalling due to the moisture in the wall freezing? Perhaps you need to move those shrubs out of the way more often!

I look behind shrubs, The "bushes" in OP pic. do not require watering, unless during a severe drought. They have a shallow root system and actually remove moisture from soil, not retain it.

[Nick Gromicko]

Or you could write this....

[Nick Gromicko]

.... write a check for $99 and buy 8,000 of Kenton's well-written narratives: www.nachi.org/narratives.htm

[Robert Ernst]

It's not the roots that are the problem in relationship to moisture and siding. It is the leaves give off moisture during transpiration. The brick is porous and absorbs the water. The bushes also abrade the surface but it's not as big of an issue with brick.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Brick is a reservoir cladding, meaning it holds water, but in addition to transpiration, leaves against the brick may slow drying.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by rernst

It's not the roots that are the problem in relationship to moisture and siding. It is the leaves give off moisture during transpiration. The brick is porous and absorbs the water. The bushes also abrade the surface but it's not as big of an issue with brick.

Originally Posted by kshepard

Brick is a reservoir cladding, meaning it holds water, but in addition to transpiration, leaves against the brick may slow drying.

Exactly, thank you... and when it freezes in a few more weeks here... spalling to the bricks, damage to the mortar, etc... happens!