Can tree roots penetrate foundations?

[Rob London]

Hi all,

I'm working on an article that will detail the ways that trees can damage houses, and it seems that foundations can be damaged by a tree's roots. I've seen different descriptions of how this happens, however. Almost everything I read on Google says that roots cannot penetrate foundations and that roots merely sap water away from around foundations, causing them to sink (still bad). Some of these websites are kind of unreliable, though. On the other hand, a few inspectors have told me that roots can and do penetrate foundations, and this is mainly how they cause damage (not by sapping water).

Cheers

[Michael R. Boyett]

Uplift can be an issue as shown in Gerry's post.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

If they find a crack, they can penetrate. Also they can put excessive pressure against the foundation.

[James H. Bushart]

Is a bear Catholic?

[Wayne B. Wilson]

Only if it craps in the woods

[Brian C. Hoagland]

I remember seeing a TV show about a guy in California with a home with all kinds of problems structurally due to the growth of some particularly invasive root system from a tree. They quite literally could not kill it. So yeah.

[Gerry Beaumont]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Uplift can be an issue as shown in Gerry's post.

Thanks Mike, you took the post right out of my mouth

That is without doubt the largest displacement by a tree I have ever seen.

BTW Rob, if you want high res of the images let me know

Regards

Gerry

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by rlondon

Hi all,

I'm working on an article that will detail the ways that trees can damage houses, and it seems that foundations can be damaged by a tree's roots. I've seen different descriptions of how this happens, however. Almost everything I read on Google says that roots cannot penetrate foundations and that roots merely sap water away from around foundations, causing them to sink (still bad). Some of these websites are kind of unreliable, though. On the other hand, a few inspectors have told me that roots can and do penetrate foundations, and this is mainly how they cause damage (not by sapping water).

Cheers

A large tree root system would have no problem wreaking havoc on a foundation wall...

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

I remember seeing a TV show about a guy in California with a home with all kinds of problems structurally due to the growth of some particularly invasive root system from a tree. They quite literally could not kill it. So yeah.

I seem to remember seeing that show also, probably on HGTV. Liquid Amber Tree...


http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/fo...ad.php?t=15516

[Richard A. Hetzel]

"John Bubber" can probably supply many photographs of cracks caused by tree roots. I've seen some posted by him under another nickname on another forum. They sure can crack a foundation wall, and they don't need a head start crack to do so.

[Paul Pendley]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

I remember seeing a TV show about a guy in California with a home with all kinds of problems structurally due to the growth of some particularly invasive root system from a tree. They quite literally could not kill it. So yeah.

I know exactly what your talking about and seen the same root invasion on a home in Sacramento. The couple in that show may have dumped or demolished the house if I remember right. As for the home in Sacramento I referred them to an arborist and structural engineer.

[Russel Ray]

There are many trees here in San Diego that can, and do, wreak havoc on foundations, concrete or otherwise. The main culprit is Liquidamber (not liquid amber)styraciflua, common name "sweetgum." The reason why it is the major culprit here is because in the fall its leaves turn beautiful shads of purple, yellow, red, etc. So everyone wants them in their yards without understand that the sweetgum should never be planted anywhere other than the river lowlands.

The other two problematic species here are the ficus and eucalyptus trees.

[Paul Pendley]

Originally Posted by rray

There are many trees here in San Diego that can, and do, wreak havoc on foundations, concrete or otherwise. The main culprit is Liquidamber (not liquid amber)styraciflua, common name "sweetgum." The reason why it is the major culprit here is because in the fall its leaves turn beautiful shads of purple, yellow, red, etc. So everyone wants them in their yards without understand that the sweetgum should never be planted anywhere other than the river lowlands.

The other two problematic species here are the ficus and eucalyptus trees.

Liquid Amber for sure....Ficus and Eucalyptus come in at a close 2nd

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Is a bear Catholic?

Only if he drinks a beer while playing Bingo.

[Erol Kartal]

Originally Posted by rray

There are many trees here in San Diego that can, and do, wreak havoc on foundations, concrete or otherwise. The main culprit is Liquidamber (not liquid amber)styraciflua, common name "sweetgum." The reason why it is the major culprit here is because in the fall its leaves turn beautiful shads of purple, yellow, red, etc. So everyone wants them in their yards without understand that the sweetgum should never be planted anywhere other than the river lowlands.

The other two problematic species here are the ficus and eucalyptus trees.

Hello, Russel.

We had an old brick two flat in Chicago and root damage repairs were about $10,000 - back in the late 70's. Old maple or oak, I forget. I wouldn't be surprised to hear they can grow through bank vault doors.