You think about concrete. And you think about landscaping. But how often do you think about where those two concepts intersect, and indeed, can potentially cause you a pretty good-sized headache? Because if you’re a homeowner that has trees close to your home, there are some things you should know.
To help you analyze your particular situation, here are some ways to educate yourself about the crossroads of concrete and landscaping – understand the basics of tree root growth in soil, learn about the physics in general of concrete, have professionals do an assessment of your home, think in the long-term when it comes to landscaping decisions, and remember that prevention is better than repair.
Understand the Basics of Root Growth
To begin your learning process, learn the basics of tree root growth. This will include information about how deep and how wide roots grow, what kind of soil they move through, and how they interact with potential obstacles underground. And yes, these obstacles underground could very well be your basement walls or the very foundation of your house. When nature meets construction, there are many different possibilities for damage.
Learn About the Physics of Concrete
Now, as far as concrete goes, what do you really know about it as a homeowner? Do you know what parts of your foundation are made of concrete? What parts of your driveway, or the structure of your garage? Do you know the type of concrete, or how old it is? Do you even really know what concrete is? Once you start becoming familiar with the answers to those questions, you’ll begin to understand how natural forces like nearby trees, or even weather conditions, can begin to affect your home life.
Have Professionals Do an Assessment
Because it’s very unlikely that you have the equipment or the experience to know how to test either the concrete near your home or the way it’s interacting with the trees nearby, it’s best to call a professional landscaper at some point to do a full analysis. From there, you’ll at least understand your options.
Think In the Long-Term About Landscaping
You may think that a gigantic tree will eventually look amazing near your house. The shade will be great, or it will improve a particular view. But if the roots get involved in the concrete foundation of your house over time, there will be trouble.
Prevention Is Better Than Repair
Remember that with something as serious as concrete slab repair, prevention is better than repair. If there’s any way that you can make sure that the future is not going to give you an enormous headache trying to fight off tree roots, it’s far better to nip that situation in the bud.