Trees are integral to any home, providing shade and adding a touch of natural beauty to your property. These plants can, however, be dangerous if they grow too close to your building. Therefore, you should carry out regular tree maintenance to reduce your risk of property damage and personal injury.
Property damage from fallen trees can be hard to deal with. Fortunately, our Revive Restoration experts can help restore your property to its original condition. It may be caused by a storm or natural disaster. So, whether you need help fixing your roof or clearing debris from your property, you can reach out to us for support.
Here are some dangers that growing trees can cause to your home and what you can do to prevent them.
The Dangers of Trees Growing Too Close to Your Home
When a tree grows too close to your home, it can have several negative consequences, including the following.
Foundation Damage
As trees grow older, their roots spread underground for water and nutrients. Over time, they find their way into the foundation of your house. Tree roots are powerful and can exert tremendous pressure on your home’s foundation.
This can lead to cracks in your foundation, which can cause structural damage to your property. Foundation damage can be expensive to repair. Ensure you address root problems by scheduling frequent tree maintenance with a professional arborist.
Roof Damage
Heavy winds and severe storms are common in many parts of the country, including Wisconsin and Minnesota. These winds can break branches and send them flying onto your roof.
In some extreme cases, the falling branches can create holes in your roofing shingles, leading to leaks in your home. A leaky roof can cause damage to other parts of the house, such as walls, ceilings, and furniture.
Personal Injury
Sometimes, storms and winds can be so severe that they knock trees over onto your property. If these trees fall on your house when you are inside, you may suffer serious injuries or fatalities.
Falling trees are one of the most prevalent causes of injuries among homeowners, accounting for about 51 fatalities in the US in 2019 alone. You can keep your family safe by regularly inspecting and maintaining your trees to ensure their structural integrity.
Sewer Damage
Trees need water and nutrients to grow. When a tree near your home doesn’t have enough access to adequate water or nutrients, its roots may develop in any directions they shouldn’t, such as into your sewer lines.
If you don’t take quick action to trim the roots, they will enlarge, clogging your pipes and causing significant damage to your plumbing system. Sewer damage can not only pose serious health issues for you and your family but also be very costly to repair.
Tree Maintenance Tips
Consider implementing appropriate tree maintenance measures to minimize the risk of damage to your property. Here are some steps you should take if a tree grows too close to your home.
Prune the Branches
Always check the condition of your tree branches regularly to ensure they don’t pose a risk to your property. If one of the branches becomes damaged or diseased, prune it off promptly.
Note tree pruning is an art that requires special skills and experience.
When you attempt to remove a branch by yourself, you can bring about further damage to the tree or even injury to yourself. You should hire a qualified tree maintenance professional to do the job for you.
Remove the Tree
Sometimes, you may not have any other option but to eradicate the tree from your property. This may be necessary if the tree decays or grows too close to the building structure.
If you opt for tree removal, ensure you follow proper safety procedures to prevent any injury to yourself or others. Otherwise, you may be liable for damages and compensation claims should anything go wrong.
Trim the Roots
Carefully trim the roots around your home’s foundation to help stop further damage to your property. But before you rush out to buy the equipment for this job, remember that root trimming is a delicate process that requires skill and expertise. Additionally, you risk damaging the foundation of the house if you remove the roots incorrectly.
Call on a tree service to examine the issue and recommend a suitable solution. An experienced arborist has the right equipment to enable you to do the job without causing any damage to your home.
Install Root Barriers
A root barrier is a thin layer of plastic or galvanized iron sheet placed at the tree trunk’s base to prevent its roots from spreading into the foundation. The barrier must be strong enough to withstand the pressure exerted by the tree’s root system. A professionally installed root barrier can last for several years with little maintenance.
Get Reliable Tree Damage Restoration Services from Experts
Trees growing near your home can threaten your safety and damage your property. When you establish damage mitigation measures, such as regular tree pruning, you minimize the chances of accidents.
At Revive Restoration, we are committed to providing high-quality home damage restoration services in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Whether you need to fix minor cracks in your walls or extensive repairs after storm damage, we have the right resources and experience. Contact us today to get your free home restoration quote.
