Can removing a tree cause foundation problems? Many experts advise tree removal if the roots are too near the home’s foundation, but can this advice prove problematic? In this post, Stevens Tree Service, your expert tree removal service in New Port Richey, explains why the answer is more complicated than you might think.
How Can Tree Removal Cause Foundation Problems?
Let’s start with a caveat: removing a tree professionally seldom causes issues with your home’s foundation. There are many benefits to stopping the tree roots before they crack the slab and cause significant structural damage. When learning how trees grow and die, you’ll learn the roots are the most dangerous part, and so you’ll want to take precautions.
However, when answering, “Can removing a tree cause foundation problems?” we must acknowledge that tree removal can cause unforeseen issues like flooding and erosion. Remember that the roots absorb a lot of water, preventing it from pooling around the slab. If you remove the roots, the water levels can rise. The water then soaks the concrete, weakening it over time.
Tree roots also hold onto the soil, preventing it from washing away in the rain. If they’re gone, there’s a good chance that a storm will erode the support around the slab, which can lead to cracking.
Another area of concern is when the roots are already beginning to work their way through the concrete. If they’re tangled up when you remove the tree, you could do more harm than good.
Finally, if you’re removing the entire tree, roots and all, you’re creating a void. Even if you fill it in, the earth won’t be packed as tightly as it was before. In some cases, this might cause the underground supports to start buckling outward.
Should You Remove a Tree Near a Structure?
Call the professionals to discuss removing any tree that may fall onto a structure when you fell it. It’s not a DIY project because of the scope of the work. If you start cutting in the wrong place, foundational damage will be the last thing you need to worry about.
Call arborists to inspect the tree and determine if it’s caused any harm. They can check things like how far away the roots are and the risks of removal. They’ll carefully check to see if the slab is still intact and look for other signs it was compromised. Next, they’ll give you a rundown of the pros and cons of removal.
They’ll look for signs of entanglement and cracking before proceeding to the next step.
How Can You Avoid Harm?
Your best approach is to work with professionals. They not only have the skills and experience but also the equipment that allows them to determine the information you need without invasive digging.
They’ll assess the chances of further harm and give you an honest opinion as to whether you can leave the tree in place. When they recommend removing it, they’ll work out the safest way to do so. They might use techniques like shoring up the walls, fixing cracks, or detaching entangled roots before proceeding. While there’s no way anyone can guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong, having an expert running the show means it’s more likely to run smoothly. Furthermore, reputable companies carry insurance to deal with such eventualities.
Call Our Team for Expert Advice Today!
Now that you know the answer to, “Can removing a tree cause foundation problems?” do you have other questions, like, “Should you plant a tree where a stump was removed?” Would you like to discuss tree removal near your home’s foundation? Call Stevens Tree Service at (727) 734-8733 for expert advice in New Port Richey, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
