Tree Removal and Foundation Damage: What Are Your Options?

Jan 13, 2025 | Uncategorized

Trees around a house

We all know that healthy trees are essential to a home’s beautiful landscaping. Big healthy trees can make us feel close to nature at home, even though many of us in greater DFW reside in the city.  While big, beautiful trees look excellent in front of almost any DFW home, they’re not always the best for your home’s foundation. Depending on the type of tree & its proximity to your home, problems could be sprouting underground without you even knowing it.

How Do I Know If My Tree Is Damaging My Foundation?

It isn’t always easy to know if your foundation is damaged. However, telltale signs of foundation damage may begin to appear over time. Recognizing some of these signs and contacting your foundation specialist can help remedy the situation before it gets out of control.

Foundation damage signs can include:

  • Sinking Ground. If there’s a sudden dip in a section of flooring, it can be a sign that the foundation beneath has been compromised — especially if there is a tree near the exterior of this part of your home.
  • Visible Cracking on Your Foundation. For many homes, the edges of the foundation slab can be seen from the outside. Visible cracks, especially large ones, can mean big trouble. There may be hidden damage beneath the surface as well. As nearby tree roots expand in search of water, they can infiltrate and worsen cracks in your home’s foundation.
  • Drainage Issues. This can occur for a handful of reasons, and it can harm your foundation if not handled properly. As tree roots grow and spread over time, they can cause additional drainage problems by compacting the ground or blocking previous drainage pathways.
  • Other Landscaping Issues. Your foundation, the soil, and the trees can have substantial effects on the ground. When one thing goes wrong, it can impact others. For this reason, it’s always best to take control of the situation and resolve existing issues before they get worse.

Unless you can see the roots, you may not know if your tree is causing these issues. Its helpful to inquire about the type of tree you have first, and then potentially contact a tree removal service to prevent further foundation damage.

Should I Get My Tree Removed?

We’ve discussed some of the ways trees can harm a foundation but did you know that in some cases trees can actually be helpful?  For example, if you experience heavy rainfall, tree roots can remove excess moisture. Additionally, trees can help with soil stabilization by preventing erosion.

If you choose to remove your tree, realize that these benefits will be removed along with it. Depending on the size of your property, it may be a good alternative to invest in a root barrier for trees 20 to 30 feet from your home.

Will Tree Removal Cause Cause Foundation Damage?

Sometimes, removing a tree can actually cause foundation problems instead of preventing them. Trees with extensive root systems can branch out and form roots beneath your home’s foundation. If the tree is taken down, these roots will eventually decay, and ultimately impact your foundation. As noted earlier, the removal of tree roots can also contribute to increased stagnant water and soil erosion, worsening drainage issues.

In some extreme cases, tree removal might be your only choice. If you are unsure if tree removal could prevent foundation damage or lead to it, our team is here to help. Give our professionals a call and see which option is best for your home.

Need Tree Removal Advice? Let AlphaLift Foundation Repair Help

Would you like to know more about the tree removal process or get a second opinion about whether or not you need your tree removed? Get in touch with AlphaLift Foundation Repair. We can direct you to a tree specialist or structural engineer for advice. A structural engineer can elaborate on which trees should be removed or whether you may need a root barrier around your foundation and why. Have a question for us? Give us a call at 214-868-4774 today. We’re happy to help in whatever way we can. Don’t forget to request your free foundation estimate today!

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