Trees are an integral part of life in Augusta. Think about all the old Darlington Oaks in the Hill area, a fiery maple tree in the fall or the scent of magnolia. Well planned landscaping, especially with native plants, utilizes the existing garden space for maximum beauty. As you add layers of landscaping to the yard, watch out for potential water damage and restoration issues to your home.
Tree roots are attracted to water, so if your pipes are leaking even the smallest amounts of fluid into the soil, tree roots will grow toward it. Roots are often blamed for plugging and breaking pipes, but they cannot exert enough pressure to break into a sewer line. Instead, natural settling, age and wear cause lines to crack, which encourages roots to grow and further penetrate through the crack. As roots increase in size, so do cracks. The length of tree roots varies by species, but in many cases the reach of the roots is greater than the height of the tree. Most tree roots extend out between two and five canopy diameters from the main stem, so that is most of your yard.
Some species carry greater risks than others, consider potential problems no matter which species you’re thinking about planting in Augusta. Some tree and plant species known to cause sewer line damage are:
If trees are located next to the house, leaves, twigs and acorns can fall into the roof, where they clog up the gutters. The rain either 1) backs up onto the roof, 2) the weight pulls the gutters away from the home, or 3) or puddles store excess moisture neater the foundation.
Fallen branches can land on the roof, damaging shingles. A violent storm can send large limbs crashing into windows or wooden decks, creating a site for water damage. And don’t just worry about your property boundaries – if a limb from your tree hits your neighbors roof, you are on the hook for all of their repairs.
River Birch is a native of the Southeastern United States and occurs naturally along riverbeds and lake shores. Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, and Magnolia also fit our natural environment. But when trees are brought close to house foundations, they cause the amount of water in the soil to fluctuate. This can cause the soil to expand and contract, creating pressure that can crack the foundation or cause it to shift.
Yellow jasmine, flowering quince, and mountain laurel are fabulous examples of flowering shrubs in Georgia. Bushes and shrubs also retain moisture. If they’re located too close to the house, this humid area can cause the home to age, or attract pests. Proper planning and maintenance are essential.
If you are concerned that your trees aren’t planted where they should be, you should work with your landscape design professional in Augusta to remove any trees that are posing a threat to your house. If you are concerned that the plants are already damaging your home, call Rumsey Construction and Restoration. After identifying the problems, the staff will present you with a comprehensive restoration plan.
Augusta, GA
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