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Tree Roots Damaging Your Foundation
in Livonia, MI
Roots do not punch through concrete on purpose. They follow water, and in Livonia the clay soil directs water straight along foundation walls. Once a root finds a crack, it widens it every year as the root grows thicker. Left alone, a large root can heave a section of your foundation wall or floor slab.
Quick Answer
Tree roots grow toward moisture and can crack concrete foundations, especially on Livonia lots where clay soil traps water right against the house. The fix usually involves removing the tree and cutting out the root mass near the foundation. A foundation contractor may also need to repair the concrete after the roots are gone. The sooner the tree comes out, the less foundation work you will need.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Cracks in the foundation wall that were not there a few years ago
- A section of sidewalk or driveway has heaved up near a large tree
- Doors or windows on one side of the house are suddenly hard to open
- You can see exposed roots pressing against the outside of your foundation
- Water is getting into the basement along a crack that follows a root path
Root Causes
What Causes Tree Roots Damaging Your Foundation?
Roots Following Foundation Moisture
In Livonia, clay soil holds water against foundation walls for weeks after rain. Tree roots sense that moisture and grow directly toward it, eventually wedging into small cracks and expanding them as the root thickens each year.
The Fix
Tree Removal With Root Excavation
The tree is removed first, then the crew digs out the major roots near the foundation by hand or with a small excavator. Cutting the roots without removing the tree first just causes the roots to branch out and grow back harder.
Shallow Roots in Clay Soil
Heavy clay soil in Livonia does not let roots go deep. They spread out sideways near the surface instead, often running directly under driveways, sidewalks, and foundations within 10 to 15 feet of the trunk. Trees planted in the 1970s and 1980s in many Livonia subdivisions are now at the size where this becomes a real problem.
The Fix
Stump Grinding and Root Barrier
After the tree is removed, the stump is ground down and the surface roots near the house are cut back. A physical root barrier can be installed in the soil to stop regrowth from reaching the foundation.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Roots Following Foundation Moisture | Shallow Roots in Clay Soil |
|---|---|---|
| Visible root pressing against or under the foundation wall | ||
| Heaved driveway or sidewalk slabs near the tree base | ||
| New cracks in foundation that follow a horizontal path | ||
| Basement water entry along a thin crack near the tree side | ||
| Doors sticking on the side of the house closest to the tree |
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