Shrubbery

[Darren W. Jones]

New inspector here. I always recommend trimming the shrubbery away from the home but is there a specific distance it has to be trimmed? The only recommendation I could find was 2" and I think thats still to close. What are your thoughts?

[Mike D. Hazelwood]

I always recommend at least 6 inches but a I prefer 12.

[gbrasseur]

Darren,

I always recommend at leased 12 inches of clearance.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

If it ain't touching the house, I don't care. Could be classified as "nit picky" in my view.

[Darren W. Jones]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

If it ain't touching the house, I don't care. Could be classified as "nit picky" in my view.

I agree but if it is touching the house what is your reccomendation?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

"Vegetation is in contact with the house siding and/or windows. We recommend trimming the vegetation to prevent damage to the siding or window screens."

They should be smart enough to figure out how to do it properly without detailed instructions.

[Darren W. Jones]

Good point. That's why I am asking for advice.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Hey, I just realized you're my competition! Forget everything I said earlier. You should tell them to cut all shubbery off at the root with a chain saw.

[Russel Ray]

If you're going to have shrubbery around the house, like in the foundation planters, then two inches is the standard that provides for good air circulation and helps prevent microclimates that increase the relative humidity between the vegetation and the exterior walls.

Most safety experts recommend not planting bushes and shrubbery in the foundation planters because they help hide any unauthorized people on your property. Use the foundation planters for small bedding/blooming plants, i.e., snapdragons, succulents, pansies, daisies, etc.

If you find that you must have bushes and shrubbery in the foundation planters, don't trim it further away from the wall than two inches. If you trim it to twelve inches, you provide a great walking path between the exterior walls and the vegetation, great for peeping toms and others who shouldn't be on your property.

Also encourage your Clients to install motion detector lights at the corners of their house.

Safety, safety, safety.

[William E. Siegel]

Here in Floirda, if it is not 12 inches from the home, it will be coverd, and lost, if the home needs to be fumingated for termites.

[Patrick J. Cloninger]

Unless it is touching the house or any lines, power, phone, etc. I don't report it. If it is a big tree or anything else that could possibly damage the foundation then you better report that.

[gbrasseur]

Originally Posted by pcloninger

Unless it is touching the house or any lines, power, phone, etc. I don't report it. If it is a big tree or anything else that could possibly damage the foundation then you better report that.

Patrick,
Just a word of caution, power lines need at leased 5 feet of clearance from any trees.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by gbrasseur

power lines need at leased 6 feet of clearance from any trees.

You could get a job with San Diego Gas & Electric.

[W. Michael Chris]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Hey, I just realized you're my competition! Forget everything I said earlier. You should tell them to cut all shubbery off at the root with a chain saw.

Joe play nice, Darren is new here.

[gbrasseur]

Originally Posted by rray

You could get a job with San Diego Gas & Electric.

Excerpt from NACHI Electrical course--
Another common clearance problem is caused by trees and shrubs interfering with the overhead supply. The inspector should take the time to "eyeball" the length of the supply from the pole to the attachment point on the structure, and report any tree limbs touching the conductors.
Also remember that the branches are heavier during the summer and weigh down further on the conductors. What may be marginal during the winter months may well cause a problem later in the growing season.
The inspector should recommend that any limbs within 5-6 feet of the cable assembly be cut back.