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Things to Do with Exposed Tree Roots
Whenever roots expose themselves, a lot of homeowners get frustrated. Most of them will ask “how do I deal with them?” Well, the truth is that trees would normally grow roots on top of your lawn. These exposed roots can be very dangerous to kids playing, mowers, and pets.
There are a lot of reasons why trees expose their roots above the ground. Several species of trees are more vulnerable to surface roots than others. However, almost every old and big tree can expose their roots above ground. So, what can you do about these exposed tree roots? Here are some of them:
Add Grass
You can add grass. However, you might run into several issues in the future. This is because the shady cover of the tree will block the grass from getting enough sunlight. In addition to that, the roots of the tree will certainly take most of the water in the soil.
So, you can instead plant groundcover that’s drought-tolerant. This will also save you the issue of having to mow in that location. Of course, one of the ideal types of groundcover is moss.
Add Topsoil
If you add topsoil over tree roots, you might run into several issues as well. The tree will not get enough water to live if you cover the tree with an excessive amount of soil or add the wrong soil. In addition to that, the roots will potentially grow through the soil that was introduced before.
To make things simple, adding topsoil is only a temporary solution. It does not solve the issue for a long period. But, you can combine equal parts of compost and topsoil if you want to do this to help deal with exposed roots. After mixing them, you can add 2 up to 3 inches of soil through the tree base. Do not add more than that. This will avoid suffocating your tree.
Do Not Cut Roots
No matter how tempting it is, you should not cut the exposed tree roots. You are only giving easy access points for harmful insects and diseases if you cut them. In addition to that, cutting the roots will affect negatively the balance of the tree. This will make your tree to potentially fall over during a heavy storm. Lastly, you will kill a lot of small “feeder roots” if you cut the roots. These small “feeder roots” enables the tree to soak up vitamins and water. If you cut them, it could result in the whole tree decaying.
Add Mulch
Mulch is the ideal way to deal with surface tree roots. You will also get another benefit if you add 2 up to 3 inches of organic mulch. Mulch will help keep the roots wet and cool. This enables them to breathe. You should not pile mulch against the trunk and do not put down more than 4 inches. Aside from protecting and moisturizing the roots, it will provide your landscape a clean look. You can always purchase mulch at a professional Tree Service Bedford TX company.
Ways to Look For Foundation Issues When Purchasing a House
Buying a house can be extremely stressful. There are a lot of things that you have to think about. You also have to ensure that your money will be spent well. Of course, it isn’t great if you spent a lot of money on a house and then knowing that there are a lot of issues that would need expensive repairs. The state of the home’s foundation is one of the most vital things to consider before you buy a house.
Here are several ways to spot foundation issues that need a Foundation Repair Beaumont TX service.
Drainage Problems
When doing your walkthrough, drainage problems are something that you have to look out for. The house might require foundation repair if you see any water in the crawl spaces/basement, overflowing gutters, or any standing water around the exterior of the house. Oftentimes, water damage leaves homeowners to think of a roof problem. But, a lot of water issues are caused by damaged foundations.
Gaps around Doors and Window Frames
When checking the house for foundation issues, you should also look out for gaps around doors and window frames. In almost all cases, there will be a shift in the house if it has a poor foundation. This shift will create gaps. Aside from causing poor insulation, gaps can also allow bugs inside the house. You should address the foundation to know the cause of the door or window gaps, instead of installing a new window frame.
Doors Out of Alignment
It is an excellent sign that there might be some underlying foundation problems if you notice that some of the doors in the house you are checking seem crooked, or are sticking.
Uneven Floors
Another type of foundation issue that you may notice is uneven flooring. A lot of older houses have uneven floors that move from one room to another. Carrying a marble with you is one of the best ways to test the floor. Does the marble roll to a particular corner or point in the room if you place it on the floor? It might appear funny. However, this simple test can save you a lot of cash in the future from costly foundation repair. This will also save you from purchasing a house that requires a lot of repairs.
Cracks
The most obvious sign of foundation problems is cracks. You should search for cracks in the ceilings, exterior walls, or sheetrock. Homes with these forms of cracks usually are experiencing anything from a sinking foundation to a settling foundation. If you don’t want to purchase a house with this kind of issue, you should avoid a prospective home if you spot any cracks during your visit.
As a buyer, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to ask a lot of questions to the seller. You should ask about any history of water damage, issues that the house might have had, when it was built, and much more. In addition to that, it is best to hire a professional to inspect the home for you.
Issues That Will Occur When You Ignore Your Foundation
Oftentimes, homeowners do not know anything about their foundation. They’ve got no idea what would happen if they do not fix it. Foundation repair is typically something that’s needed, but most homeowners avoid it because of the associated costs. Typically, most homeowners simply pick which projects are of high priority. Of course, if you are given the option to go on a vacation or fix your foundation, the vacation option sounds a lot more exciting. But, if you neglect foundation repair even for just 1 year, do you have any idea what could be at stake?
Here are several things that could happen if you don’t hire Foundation Repair Austin TX for your foundation repair:
Mold and Mildew Problems
You will have mold and mildew issues if you do not repair your foundation. This issue will cause the wooden elements under your beam and pier to decline. Water could make its way into the crawl space when there are poor sealing or cracks around a beam and pier foundation. This water could produce a harmful environment that provides a health risk for everyone living in that house. This is especially true if you’ve got older adults or kids who have asthma or other respiratory issues. Over time, wood rots will get worse.
Plumbing Issues
Your home’s plumbing system is extremely vulnerable to foundation problems. Plumbing pipes could become entangled in your home’s foundation whenever beam and pier homes are concerned. They could make their way through your home. On the other hand, plumbing problems can happen under the slab and could go undetected for years if you have slab foundations. The shifts in the house can cause plumbing pipes to break if a house is suffering from foundation problems. Water damage in the house could be disastrous if plumbing bursts or cracks.
Rodent or Insect Infestations
Rodents and insects can squeeze their way into your house if you allow your foundation to deteriorate, especially if you’ve got beam and pier foundations that have crawl spaces. For those who don’t know, insect or rodent infestations are huge issues. Insects typically multiply at a rapid rate. That is the most annoying part of this issue. You can be looking at a major infestation if you do not catch it early on. This will cause more damage to your house. Even if you hire a professional to get rid of the infestation, how these pests entered your house will stay.
Foundation Settling/Sinking
Foundation settling or sinking is probably one of the first things that could occur if you ignore your foundation. For those who don’t know, foundations could sink into the ground since they move over time. This will result in an uneven home. You may notice that your floors are not even anymore. One of the signs that indicate foundation settling is having a crooked door frame. You need to contact a foundation repair service right away if you notice problems such as this. It’s much better if you spot this issue early on.
Should You Maintain Your Foundation?
A newly constructed house is their dream for several people who are searching for a house to purchase. The idea of buying a house that might require a lot of fixes or upgrades, or huge renovations to suit their particular needs might not be something they really want. Owning a house is an extremely exciting venture. However, it still comes with its own challenges that you have to consider during the initial construction. Once it is done, and you have completely moved in, there are a lot of other elements that you still have to keep in mind. This includes foundation maintenance.
New homes do require foundation maintenance each year, just like any other items that require regular maintenance (an A/C unite, a car, and much more). Maintaining your foundation will ensure that stay in excellent condition. In addition to that, it also makes sure that you won’t have to call a Foundation Repair Arlington TX service for a huge issue.
Can You Maintain the Foundation on Your New House Yourself?
The answer to this question is yes. There are several things that a new homeowner can do to maintain the foundation of their new house. This includes watering their foundation periodically. But, when it comes to the assessment of the foundation, it is ideal to contact a professional to do it. They can diagnose precisely any problem they might discover. They can even uncover issues that you might think are just normal.
Foundation Settling in New Houses
Oftentimes, foundation settling is seen in newly constructed houses. That’s one of the reasons why you should always contact a professional to check the foundation of your house. As a homeowner, you probably won’t be able to diagnose this issue. You might even think of it as a normal phenomenon. On the other hand, if you contact a professional, they can confirm whether your foundation is in proper condition, or if there are issues that require immediate action. To set up regular foundation evaluations or maintenance, it is an ideal practice to work with a professional company.
Foundation Maintenance Tasks for New Houses
Here are several easy foundation maintenance responsibilities that you can do every year. However, you should still contact a professional each year to make sure if your foundation is in great shape.
- Checking to see if trees or foliage are growing extremely close to the base of your house.
If you find invading roots drying out the surrounding soil, you can possibly have a moisture problem. You might even have upheaval issues because of big roots if the situation is worse.
- Examining Your Drainage Systems
You should check if your drainage systems are clogged. You should make sure that the drainage system is directing water away from your foundation, not towards it.
- Monitoring Your House for Interior or Exterior Cracks
You should always monitor your house if there are cracks along the floor or on the walls.
- Water Your Foundation Periodically
How often you water your foundation will depend on the location. You should also know what type of soil your home is built on.
Common Signs of Foundation Issues
Your home is likely the most expensive investment you will ever make. Because of that, you really have to protect it. It’s best to learn how to recognize the common signs of foundation issues if you suspect that something is wrong with your foundation.
It is always an excellent idea to be on the lookout for signs of issues since deterioration can be caused by various things. This includes inadequate foundation drainage, poor soil compaction, plumbing leaks, climate, and soil.
To help you, here are several signs that might indicate that you need Foundation Repair Abilene TX service.
Gaps around Exterior Doors or Window Frames
Oftentimes, homeowners find gaps around their exterior doors, as well as spaces around their exterior window frames. They might even notice that their doors won’t latch anymore. This is a sign of an issue that can be affecting the foundation.
Foundation Upheaval
Your slab foundation is experiencing foundation upheaval if it has moved in an upward direction. This is one sign of foundation issue and might indicate that your structure is experiencing the contrary of foundation settling. In general, heaving impacts the perimeter area of a concrete slab foundation. However, it can affect the interior of your house. This includes doorways, hallways, and other places. In addition to that, exterior garage walls are mostly pushed upwards.
Foundation Sinking or Settling
You should have your property checked out if your home or other structure appears to be having settlement problems or is sinking. The reason for this is that it’s a common sign that you might have a foundation problem. You might notice that one side of your home is higher than the other over time. Also, you might notice that the center of your property is sinking. If this is the case, your foundation might have to be lifted and need the installation of exterior or interior piers. In order to raise your property, these things are installed around the foundation’s perimeter. It can also be installed inside your house.
Foundation Cracks
It can most certainly show that you’ve got at least one issue with your foundation if you have noticed gaps on the brick exterior of your property. A broken chimney, wall fissures, and floor cracks could also mean an issue. Your structure might experience foundation movement over time because of a lot of factors. Your foundation could shift whenever this occurs. For those who don’t know, gaps might become an extremely severe and costly issue. Oftentimes, the cause of the issue is contracting soils, expanding soils, and inclement weather.
Uneven or Sagging Floors
It can indicate an issue if you have noticed that your floors appear to be sagging, dipping, or bowing, or are out of level. Floors have a tendency to squeak and sag whenever foundation problems affect beam and pier foundations. Floors are prone to be out of level or uneven whenever concrete slabs are concerned. You should keep in mind that the signs of damage do not look the same, even though both might have flooring problems.
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