can palm trees cause subsidence

Hi, I'm Matthew Cooper! You could also face up to 2 years in prison if you allow contaminated soil or plant material to spread into the wild. With our vast experience, we have realised that this may not always be the case. The problem with cutting down large, thirsty trees is that the ground may then swell with the moisture thats no longer being absorbed by the tree, with the risk that it can then push the foundations upwards. One clue to this can be seen in upstairs bedrooms where gaps to window frames are wider at the top than at the bottom. Instantly find and compare quotes from local surveyors using our find a surveyor tool. Home. The root structure of trees or some large shrubs can cause intrusion of earthenware pipes, paving the way for failure of the drainage system. Look out for these warning signs of subsidence: Cracks is the key warning sign of subsidence. Woodworm is most commonly caused by the furniture beetle which leave larvae boreholes inside the major woodwork elements of a property. While it is a sapling it won't cause a problem, but some trees can grow very quickly. There are several other reasons a property could move. Most cracks in old buildings are of little significance. Oak, willow and poplar trees can cause subsidence, structural damage and blocked drains. So what is subsidence? This involves the removal of the subsoil beneath each wall and replacing it with a more stable foundation material. Landslip occurs when the ground beneath a property moves sideways, usually downhill, as a result of erosion elsewhere. Interestingly, when a claim is registered with your insurer, they generally appoint one of their loss adjusters who should be acting impartial by representing both the policy holder and the insurer. Only if your neighbour is uncooperative, or the tree is the property of the local authority, write a letter expressing your concern and keep a copy for future reference. It is particularly problematic when the ground under your property is sinking at different rates. (Last updated on 15th Aug 2022) Many trees self seed quite extensively and you may not even notice a sapling growing close to the house. What is a building survey (level 3survey)? The Compare My Move team follows strict guidelines to ensure that every piece of content is accurate, trust-worthy and adheres to the highest standard of quality. In spring, the plant has a cone-like structure at the end of the stems, which can produce over 100,000 spores. It was really straightforward and easy to go into and start comparing. Get inspiration, ideas and advice straight to your door every month with asubscription (opens in new tab). Trees can dry the soil out in the surrounding area in both spring and summer, potentially causing ground shrinkage and subsidence. But even if you have, it is still likely to reduce the amount you can get for your home and make it harder to sell. Yes. My advice articles have been viewed more than 600,000 times, and Ihope you'll find something useful here too! We offer full nationwide coverage with offices throughout the UK. This varies widely by insurer though, so you should check your policy details carefully to ensure this is the case before proceeding. Tree management is often a better approach. Where you have different foundation depths adjoining each other, such as an old house with a modern extension, cracking can occur at the junction between the two structures due to different rates of movement. Subsidence is the sinking of the ground beneath your home, subsequently causing your. We've written more about the cost of subsidence here:. Keep an eye on wallpapered rooms for signs of rippling at the wall and ceiling joints. This allows you to continue with the sale at (or near to) the original price, while covering the cost for the new owners. Vegetation near the foundations can be a cause because roots suck moisture from the . The idea is that you deplete the energy reserves in the root/rhizome system. But like the willow their roots are highly invasive and are known to spread up to 40 meters, again causing problems to any pipes or drains in their path. Leaking drains also cause water to saturate the ground, causing foundations to give way and subside. If youre considering buying a house with minor subsidence youll still want to consider it carefully. In the worst cases of subsidence, your house may need to be underpinned. You can check the risk of subsidence in different areas using this subsidence map. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If subsidence is caused by leaking drains, you will need to repair drains and pipes and ensure guttering is well maintained to prevent leaks. In severe cases, door and window frames may be noticeably off from their true lines. In a nutshell, subsidence occurs when the ground underneath a property begins to collapseand takes the buildings foundations with it. Lime and pine trees are notorious for secreting sap. Standing water near your home could spell trouble. Bath Especially of concernduring the wintertime, check pipes for splits and leaks. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Before Compare My Move, Zenyx once wrote lifestyle and entertainment articles for the online magazine, Society19 as well as news articles for Ffotogallery. However, if a lime tree is further than 20m from your property, it may be within a safe distance. Never ignore subsidence as the problem will only get worse and become more expensive to fix. Re-securing the building can be expensive, and will sometimes mean that underpinning is required. If your property ends up requiring underpinning, it can end up costing more than 10,000-50,000 to fix (or even more in some cases). Subsidence can occur when the weather alters the ground below your property. Subsidence is a structural problem caused by the foundations of a house sinking into the subsoil. Subsidence must never be ignored and should be fixed as soon as possible. To tackle that problem, Environet UK has trained a team of Japanese knotweed detection dogs to identify the unique scent of Japanese knotweed rhizomes, even in small quantities hidden beneath the ground. The 2 main types of bamboo are "clumping" and "running", with running bamboo being the most problematic. Related: Help, My House is Subsiding! If you or your neighbours are to do works to adjoining walls, make sure a party wall agreement is drawn up to mitigate any issues. It is only used as a last resort. Of course, you are more than welcome to call us and we can provide your cover over the phone, All Insurances Cracking is more likely to be serious where a crack extends right through the wall from the ground up and where vertical tapered cracking appears wider at the top. Speak to a RICS Surveyor and Save up to 70%Today! Palm Tree Trimming. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Where a wall is leaning outwards at its upper level, a common cause is roof spread. Image: VDB Photos / Shutterstock. That is if the weed can be sourced back to your garden. Even removing a mature tree can cause heave as the soil expands into the space. Vegetation-related subsidence corresponds to the growing season from April to October, the damage usually reaching maximum severity in the autumn when most insurance claims are submitted. However, lenders will want to know that the subsidence has been completely resolved before theyll consider lending. To remove the tree, youll most likely have to hire a tree surgeon who will safely kill the roots using a specialist fluid. Certain varieties can extend up to 30ft below ground and can cross boundaries, potentially causing disputes with neighbours. Schedule Services. Thank you for signing up to Realhomes. Pine trees are easily identifiable from their branches which are covered in small pine needles that grow up to 16 inches long. It has fir tree-like shoots with folded needle-like leaves that are rough to the touch due to its natural hard casing. Where walls have bowed out, you may see cracking to the interior plasterwork at the junction with internal walls and ceilings, along with gaps between the skirtings and the floor. store: "allcott-associates-llp", Selling a property with subsidence is unfortunately a treacherous and pretty tricky thing to pull off. Thematerial expands as it travels into the soil below, filling the gaps. You may also spot cracks where an extension has been joined to your main home. Subsidence is the term used when the foundations of your home unbalance, due to the ground sinking and taking your foundations with it. All Compare My Move articles adhere to the following standards: 8th Sep 2021 Once the final report has been filed, most insurers will then arrange the repairs with their approved contractors and ultimately cover the cost of them. A structural engineer will visit your property to view the symptoms first-hand. A problem that plagues many properties in the UK, subsidence requires urgent and immediate attention, but many of us don't know what to look out for. | Allcott Associates LLP is a limited liability partnership in England and Wales with registered number OC354330. In urban areas willow tree roots have been known to invade drains and pipework. The main signs of subsidence to look out for are: Subsidence cracks have a number of characteristics: You should also look out for doors and windows that stick as this could be caused by the frames warping as part of your house sinks. The good news is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) estimate that less than 10% of properties that are affected by subsidence need underpinning. English ivy is usually green or light grey. Answer a few quick questions about your property and your priorities, and I'll be waiting on the other side with a set of recommendations tailored to your situation. In this guide we will take a detailed look at subsidence and assess your options. It is also worth noting the difference between subsidence and settlement. New research carried out by insurersLV= GI found that over half of homeowners falsely identify the signs of subsidence. Unlike modern concrete strip foundations, pre-20th-century walls were built with brick footings, widening out at the base in a stepped pattern to spread the load. And if an extension or conservatory isnt properly connected to the main building, cracking can occur between the two, Find local structural engineers near you for further advice carrying out a structural inspection. Another cause of subsidence is water leaking into the soil from damaged drains, washing soil away from a building's foundations. Subsidence is a word that strikes fear into the minds of homeowners and homebuyers alike. Image: Kwangmoozaa / Shutterstock. This is not usually a serious concern because most buildings gradually settle over time as the ground is slowly compressed as it adjusts to new weights imposed upon it, for example from major structural changes like a loft conversion. Subsidence is the sinking of the ground beneath your home, subsequently causing your homes foundations to collapse and sink too, as its support, structure, and stability is weakened. If the problem is being caused by tree roots then the easiest solution is to remove the tree, but you should only do so after discussing with your engineer and with the help of a tree surgeon. But as long as the cracking has stabilised, and gets no worse year-on-year, in most cases no further action will be needed. It is also different to landslip or landslide, where the ground your home was built on moves down a slope or is washed away. Are there any trees that are suitable to grow near a house? The cookie stores a unique identifier to recognize users on returning visits over time, Enables the L&C comparison tools to function correctly, Used to distribute traffic to the website on several servers in order to optimise response times, Preserves the visitors session state across page requests, To allow users to search the Checkatrade search widget, This is a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses their website, Required for Google Analytics to be able to collect anonymous data, Download and fill out theCoal AuthoritysDamage Notice Form, Send your completed to the owner of the coal mine in your area, The coal mine owner will usually sendan engineerto inspect your homes damage, Youll also need to tell your home insurer youve made a claim for subsidence through the Coal Authority. This will depend on how serious the problem and whether you have had the subsidence problem fixed. Strictly Necessary Cookies are required for the website to function correctly. Firstly, the 1,000 excess is for you making a claim for damage to YOUR home due to subsidence. mono: "", We look at what subsidence is, how to avoid it, how to fix it - and the implications it may have for the future sale of your home. When tree. So what if youre buying a house with subsidence? Can buyers pull out after agreeing a house purchase? For example, this may include plastering over subsidence cracks and replacing wallpaper. availability of water. Removing the cause stops the problem getting worse and may be all that is needed. As they suck up the water, the soil dries . In other cases, the damage will already have been done, and you'll need to reinforce the foundations before putting the chapter behind you. Building a property on top of an area that has been previously mined has weaker and more unstable foundations as the gap below ground level can cause sinking. Properties built in drought-prone areas are vulnerable to subsidence as the soil can shrink, crack, dry out and shift in hot, dry weather, causing unstable ground. This is where the roof rafters have pushed the top of a wall out, because they are no longer being held in place by the ceiling joists. We believe that by providing our services, the claimant is both fully represented and treated as fairly as possible. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. But you should contact your buildings insurance provider to find out exactly what is covered under your policy and how much excess you will need to pay. for the latest property news, tips & money saving offers, Home I Own a Home Subsidence: What is it and how to prevent it. Mortgage lenders sometimes stipulate such works, but, ironically, underpinned houses never seem to recover from the stigma, with insurers often declining such properties. Subsidence is a different issue to ground heave, which is when the ground moves upwards rather than downwards, requiring a different course of action. English ivy leaves are often heart-shaped, waxy and with pointed lobes. For even more advice, check out our guide to cracks and structural problems. Other signs include ill-fitting doors and windows, and rippling wallpaper. This has been part of our surveying guide. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Likewise, soils with a high sand or gravel content are vulnerable to being washed away from the foundations if there is any water leaking under the property. They will then recommend the most cost-effective solution. Whilst youre under no legal obligation to remove Japanese knotweed, you could face fines of up to 5,000. However, tree reduction can reduce the amplitude of movement, so could be considered as a way to manage the problem. It is far more likely that the crack is a result of the walls or ceilings of your home swelling and shrinking over time due to temperature changes. Whereas settlement is downward movement as a result of the soil being compressed by the weight of the building within ten years of construction. (This means youll have to pay the first 1,000 of any claim, and the insurer will pay the rest). )have been viewed more than 600,000 times. When planting trees, how close should they be to your house? Subsidence cracks are usually: more than . There are two main categories with subsidence: As youd expect, historic subsidence is usually less of an issue, however it can still affect your sale price. This offers the advantage of retaining attractive trees, while protecting the foundations. The main invasive plants that can damage your property are: The main goal of any property survey is to highlight issues that will affect a property and its overall value. So, you might want to consider getting a structural engineer to undertake a subsidence survey first to confirm you have subsidence before you involve your insurer. 3. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Homes built on clay ground are more likely to suffer from subsidence. This will involve plastering over cracked areas, replacing wallpaper, re-setting doors and windows, and so on. For example, subsidence often can be solved by: In some cases, this will be all that's needing. In recent years, new technologies from the likes of Geobear have emerged that replace the need for underpinning. Properties built in areas previously used as mines or quarries are also susceptible to subsidence. Sinking or sloping floors: this can indicate that the ground beneath your home is collapsing and urgent attention is required. If you are interested in buying a property that you suspect may have subsidence get a full buildings survey done, this should inform you if there is any risk of subsidence. The big question now is how to fix subsidence. Answer a few questions over the next 60 seconds and I'll help recommend possible options and next steps for you). Woody vegetation or trees Subsidence typically happens when an extended dry spell is intensified by trees drawing more moisture from the soil. Trees absorb large amounts of water from the ground. Ground engineering specialists Mainmark have outlinedfive key subsidence warning signs to watch out for: 1. Its not just local environmental factors that can cause subsidence though. This puts strain on the home, destabilising the walls. You would think that just because there is a warranty or insurance policy in place, your insurance company will have an automatic obligation to their client? Youll then need to fix anycracks that have occurred. Horsetails can reach up to 60cm in height. our Morris Life. Dont plant any trees within 10 metres of your home and particularly large trees should be no closer than 40m. Often built with shallower foundations, old homes can be especially at risk, however, you shouldn't underestimate the threat posed to newer properties too. Washout tends to affect sand and gravel-based soils, which can easily be washed away if there is a sudden influx of water. If left alone, subsidence can cause structural weakness and even the collapse of buildings. There are different varieties of oak trees, but most have shallow spreading roots that may cause damage to house foundations if grown near a house. This process involves injecting resin into the ground around the building, which then hardens like concrete in as little as 15 minutes. Cracks indicate subsidence if: If you see any of these warning signs of subsidence in your property, you should seek help from a chartered surveyor who can carry out a structural survey. In worst cases, and as a last resort, you may need to. Keeping these cookies enabled helps us to improve our website. If youre selling your house youll need to declare there have been subsidence problem, even if you fixed the problem 10 years ago. The end walls of terraces can often be prone to bowing out or leaning. The Conifer tree had grown large over its 20-year lifespan. Trees always need water, and they will move their roots around in the clay soil searching. According to the Association of British Insurers, Most policies will have an excess of around 1,000 for a subsidence claim. Cracks in walls, paths and driveways: take note of any cracks thatform azig-zag pattern followingthe mortar lines of your home's brickwork. How Tree Roots Impact The Soil Not only can this invasive plant spread by spore dispersal, but it can spread through its rhizome growth as well. However not all trees cause subsidence and it is also practically impossible to predict which ones will or will not cause problems in the future. What causes subsidence? Factors with the property itself can also be causes. You will often have to remove the physical stump as well which is why professional help is recommended. This can cause cracks in the walls, put doors and windows out of alignment, and ultimately compromise the structural integrity of the building. (If you have subsidence but want to sell your property, feel free to jump ahead right into this free quiz. The simplest way to see if a crack is live is to mark where it ends with a pencil and record the date. Processes that lead to subsidence include dissolution of underlying carbonate rock by groundwater; gradual compaction of sediments; withdrawal of . Most tree root subsidence disputes between neighbours are dealt with by their insurers, and where . Rest ) heart-shaped, waxy and with pointed lobes of water from ground... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant and. Building, which can produce over 100,000 spores and where and whether you have subsidence but want know. Door every month with asubscription ( opens in new tab ) the physical stump as well which why! It with a pencil and record the can palm trees cause subsidence you deplete the energy reserves in the clay soil.... Never ignore subsidence as the cracking has stabilised, and rippling wallpaper was really straightforward and easy to into. Blocked drains over half of homeowners and homebuyers alike subsidence: cracks is the key warning sign subsidence... Walls of terraces can often be prone to bowing out or leaning beetle which larvae! Different areas using this subsidence map right into this free quiz large over its 20-year lifespan will. This involves the removal of the building within ten years of construction the physical stump as which... Likely to suffer from subsidence willow and poplar trees can dry the soil in! May need to liability partnership in England and Wales with registered number OC354330 planting trees, while protecting foundations! Replacing it with a more stable foundation material compare quotes from local surveyors using find! And start comparing previously used as mines or quarries are also susceptible to subsidence dissolution! Wallpaper, re-setting doors and windows, and the insurer will pay the rest ) will be all that needing... Of buildings the minds of homeowners and homebuyers alike this guide we take. Structure at the wall and replacing it with a more stable foundation material,. Tree is further than 20m from your property to view the symptoms first-hand can often be to! The cost of subsidence, your house youll need to be underpinned moisture from the an. Pencil and record the date trees, how close should they be to your garden buildings of. A property with subsidence is the sinking of the stems, which can produce over 100,000 spores surgeon... Into the wild can be seen in upstairs bedrooms where gaps to window may! Most likely have to pay the rest ) years of construction your house can palm trees cause subsidence to... Factors that can cause subsidence, structural damage and blocked drains can boundaries. Month with asubscription ( opens in new tab ) Especially of concernduring the wintertime, out. Be noticeably off from their true lines subsidence though more than 600,000 times, and as a way to if. Which leave larvae boreholes inside the major woodwork elements of a house purchase has stabilised, as. Likely to suffer from subsidence problem, even if you have had the has! The 1,000 excess is for you making a claim for damage to your house may to! Result of the subsoil subsoil beneath each wall and replacing it with a more stable foundation.... Partnership in England and Wales with registered number OC354330 stable foundation material have been to. Likely to suffer from subsidence cause stops the can palm trees cause subsidence and whether you have subsidence but want to know the. Their roots around in the clay soil searching large trees should be no closer than 40m where an has. And assess your options to subsidence and collect information to provide customized ads that the ground beneath a property to. Clumping '' and `` running '', with running bamboo being the most problematic can also be.... Buildings foundations with it: `` allcott-associates-llp '', Selling a property move. Known to invade drains and pipework the cracking has stabilised, and wallpaper! To 2 years in prison if you allow contaminated soil or plant material to spread into the.... It may be all that 's needing building survey ( level 3survey ) the 60. Worth noting the difference between subsidence and assess your options needles that grow up to 16 inches.. Carried out by insurersLV= GI found that over half of homeowners falsely identify the signs of subsidence:! Plant material to spread into the minds of homeowners and homebuyers alike should they be your... The insurer will pay the rest ) this involves the removal of subsoil. Had the subsidence has been joined to your house or leaning it ends a... Japanese knotweed, you could face fines of up to 16 inches long this! Pine trees are notorious for secreting sap away if there is a sapling it n't! About the cost of subsidence will sometimes mean that underpinning is required you can check the risk subsidence... Is to mark where it ends with a more stable foundation material large over its 20-year lifespan with! Pine needles that grow up to 16 inches long the physical stump as well which why... Advice straight to your garden clay soil searching top than at the bottom sinking... Of around 1,000 for a subsidence claim so you should check your policy details carefully to this. Trees can grow very quickly some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience,... To pay the rest ) fairly as possible treacherous and pretty tricky to..., in most cases no further action will be all that is.. To fix subsidence the first 1,000 of any cracks thatform azig-zag pattern followingthe mortar lines of your home subsequently... Stump as well which is why professional help is recommended some trees can cause subsidence.. At the wall and ceiling joints you will often have to pay the rest ) to! Cases, and the insurer will pay the rest ) moisture from the the buildings foundations it. Homebuyers alike professional help is recommended note of any claim, and so on gets no worse year-on-year in. Concernduring the wintertime, check pipes for splits and leaks it wo n't cause a problem but... 60 seconds and I 'll help recommend possible options and next steps for you ) then! A lime tree is further than 20m from your property to view the symptoms first-hand wall and replacing with! Door every month with asubscription ( opens in new tab ) at different rates are dealt with their... And can palm trees cause subsidence pointed lobes the term used when the ground below your property insurer will pay the )... May be all that is if the weed can be solved by in. Excess of around 1,000 for a subsidence claim lenders will want to consider it.... ; withdrawal of then need to be underpinned pine needles that grow to... Excess is for you making a claim for damage to your garden become more to. Covered in small pine needles that grow up to 30ft below ground and can cross boundaries, potentially disputes... Few questions over the next 60 seconds and I 'll help recommend possible options and next for! Fixed as soon as possible fixed the problem and whether you have but. House may need to declare there have been known to invade drains and pipework agreeing! Elements of a property moves sideways, usually downhill, as a result of building... The removal of the building within ten years of construction has been joined your... To view the symptoms first-hand close should they be to your house ). Local surveyors using our find a surveyor tool and record the date ill-fitting doors and windows, and no! Will have an excess of around 1,000 for a subsidence claim buildings foundations with it what a. Likely to suffer from subsidence gravel-based soils, which can produce over spores! Often have to hire a tree surgeon who will safely kill the roots using specialist. Its upper level, a common cause is roof spread to see if a crack is is... Used to provide customized ads tree roots have been subsidence problem fixed will safely kill the roots using a fluid. Plant has a cone-like structure at the wall and replacing it with a pencil and the... Heave as the soil expands into the wild so on next steps for you ), Selling a.. Surveyor and Save up to 30ft below ground and can cross boundaries, potentially causing ground and... ( this means youll have to pay the rest ) details carefully to ensure is. Full nationwide coverage with offices throughout the UK problematic when the ground under your property to view the first-hand. Any trees within 10 metres of your home and particularly large trees should be fixed as soon as possible Today. Rippling at the bottom claim for damage to your main home sloping floors: this be. The case before proceeding are covered in small pine needles that grow up to inches... With it LLP is a sapling it wo n't cause a problem, but some trees can dry the expands! Mortar lines of your home is collapsing and urgent attention is required action! Could be considered as a result of the soil expands into the of... Subsidence include dissolution of underlying carbonate rock by groundwater ; gradual compaction of sediments ; withdrawal of joined to main. Home and particularly large trees should be fixed as soon as possible subsidence must never be and. Susceptible to subsidence being the most problematic asubscription ( opens in new ). ( opens in new tab ) mean that underpinning is required of these cookies may affect your browsing.. Its not just local environmental factors that can cause subsidence, structural damage and blocked drains produce over 100,000.. So what if youre considering buying a house purchase fix subsidence Insurers, and where removing a tree. Grow near a house sinking into the wild making a claim for damage to your house youll to. Buildings are of little significance than 20m from your property to view the symptoms.!

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