Root Damage That Threatens Structures

Trees are living, breathing parts of our landscape, and they give us shade on hot Georgia afternoons, freshen the air, and sometimes even reward us with fruit. When chosen and placed well, trees increase property value and make a yard feel complete.

But trees have another side… one that homeowners don’t always see until damage has already started: Underground, roots can become invasive, destructive, and costly if left unmanaged.

In this brief article brought to you by Driscoll Tree Service, we pull back the curtain and highlight the threats that tree roots, especially diseased and damaged ones, pose to your building and structures.

How Roots Attack Your Foundation

Tree roots don't actually punch through solid concrete foundations like battering rams. Instead, they work more sneakily and persistently. As you know, roots are constantly searching for water and nutrients, and they will squeeze into any crack or weakness they find in your foundation.

Once a root enters a tiny crack, it grows. As it expands, it widens the crack little by little. What started as a hairline fracture becomes a serious structural problem. Water follows these cracks and makes everything worse – and that’s not even considering the freeze-thaw cycles.

The bigger threat comes from what roots do to the soil around your foundation. Large trees drink hundreds of gallons of water daily from the ground. This constant water removal causes soil to shrink and sink. As the soil pulls away from your foundation, it creates gaps and causes the foundation to settle unevenly.

The Plumbing Nightmare

Your sewer and water lines run underground, and they’re made of durable materials – but nothing lasts forever. These pipes develop small cracks over time through normal wear and age, and tree roots smell the moisture and nutrients in these pipes. You can bet a tree root is going to seek them out.

Roots thread through tiny cracks in these pipes and feast on the constant water supply and nutrients flowing through your sewer lines. As they grow, they create thick masses that block pipes completely. The first sign of root invasion is often slow drains throughout your house.

Ignore the slow drainage for too long and you face complete blockages that require a professional plumbing intervention. Sadly, removing roots from pipes doesn't solve the problem permanently. Those roots will grow back unless you address the source tree.

Sometimes tree removal becomes necessary to protect your plumbing system from repeated invasions. Granted, there are mechanical and chemical solutions as well.

Driveways and Sidewalks Under Attack

You've probably seen sidewalks buckled and cracked by tree roots pushing up from below (hopefully not on your property). This same damage happens to driveways, patios, and walkways on your property.

When they encounter concrete or asphalt in their endeavor for water, they don't stop – they grow underneath and eventually push upward. The concrete lifts, cracks form, and chunks break apart.

This creates more than just ugly landscaping. Raised, cracked concrete presents serious tripping hazards. Guests can fall and injure themselves. This is especially problematic for businesses and commercial properties.

Warning Signs of Root Damage