How vulnerable your foundation is to trees and tree roots are relative to two things: that which is relative to the tree and that which is relative to the house’s structure. If you’re planning on keeping the tree in your yard, you need to be adaptive because tree roots behave differently depending on the species and the season, so how vulnerable your foundation is sometimes depends on temporary or seasonal factors.
Not all of these signs will mean that tree roots will be the most destructive problem on your property, and not all of them will appear at once. This makes it a bit hard to determine foundation issues due to tree roots, so keep yourself informed, but don’t forget to get a professional opinion as well.
Relative to the Tree
Certain kinds of trees are very destructive because the roots either grow too quickly, absorb too much moisture, or are too aggressive and compact the soil too much. Trees like American elms and silver maples fit these descriptions, so if you have one in your yard, your foundation is most likely in trouble. Even if you have a tree that’s a little safer, if you have it less than 20 feet from your home, it will also ruin your foundation, even if a bit slower.
How the weather changes with the seasons should also be taken into account. During dry seasons, if your tree is looking a bit dry and in desperate need of water, it’s a good indication that the soil lacks moisture, which spells trouble due to soil shrinkage.
Relative to the Home
If your basement or yard already suffers from drainage issues, tree roots will only make the situation worse. You can remove the tree but the foundation will still suffer as long as those issues exist. Your foundation is also in danger if the house is very old since foundation walls are usually a lot shallower in older homes.
Expansive soils are another big problem. Expansive soils are the soils most likely to get pushed around and compacted by tree roots, so they put some serious pressure on your foundation. The best you can do against this type of soil is prevent expansion and shrinking as much as possible.