Root Barriers, Revisted

What's a root barrier and why is it important? Root barriers are physical barriers that redirect tree root growth downward, thus eliminating surface rooting that can damage foundations, sidewalks, driveways, and other hardscapes.

Remember, roots travel away from the tree trunk as the tree searches for water. Often times, tree roots gravitate towards the building foundation. Once roots reach the foundation, they may press into the foundation and break it, lift it, lower it, or otherwise shift it. Each of these movements can cause significant damage to your foundation.

Also, note that the roots can suck the moisture from the soil, thereby leaving it dry. Dry soil contracts, which can cause the foundation to shift. This is another unpleasant and damaging side effect of tree roots interacting with your foundation.

A root barrier can prevent roots from causing this damage to your foundation.

Root barriers surround the structure and prevent tree roots from getting under the foundation. While you may consider a root barrier a "nice to have" rather than a necessity, keep in mind that root barriers are usually much, much less expensive than foundation repair.

Ace Foundation installs a tough, flexible material designed to resist cracking due to soil movement or new root pressure. (Other foundation repair companies may use concrete or plastic (corrugated vinyl, for instance), but we've found these to be less reliable than the material we use. If another foundation repair company recommends concrete, think back to any number of sidewalks you've seen, cracked and pushed up by tree roots!

Learn More with Our Root Barrier Video

We've prepared a great video which shows exactly what root barriers are and how they protect your home or business' foundation.

Watch the Video

Get more information by visiting www.AceFoundation.com.

See What Tree Roots Can Do to Your Foundation

Have you ever walked down thge sidewalk or the street and seen a flower poking its head out of a crack? How about something larger? In older neighborhoods it's not uncommon to see concrete slabs of sidewalk pushed up and cattywampus by tree roots.

Now, picture all that happening under your house. You may think that because your house is bigger and heavier than a section of sidewalk, it's immune to heaving and other movement caused by tree roots. However, your slab foundation is just as susceptible to damage by tree roots as the sidewalk in front of your house.

What can you do to prevent foundation problems due to tree roots? Well, when you're planning on new landscaping, make sure trees and other plants (even shrubs can damage your foundation) are planted sufficiently far away from the foundation.

To prevent roots from encroaching under your foundation, you should install root barriers. Root barriers stop tree roots from getting under your concrete slab foundation and pulling moisture from the soil, which can cause the foundation to settle. Root barriers can be made of concrete or plastic (corrugated vinyl, for instance). Ace Foundation, however, installs a tough, flexible material designed to resist cracking due to soil movement or new root pressure.

Visit our website to get more information about root barriers and view a great video.

Get more information by visiting www.AceFoundation.com.

Photo by Flickr user Wouter Verhelst.