How To Stop Tree Roots From Ruining Your Patio

Trees are majestic plants that during their decades of life can grow large, strong and intricate networks of roots to absorb moisture and nutrients from the ground.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, tree roots can grow up to three times the height of a tree, and this can cause a problem if a tree’s mighty roots grow under your drive or patio.

Whilst in most cases trees will not cause damage to your property, there are rare cases where overgrown roots can be a major nuisance, but there are ways to minimise the damage and stop unruly roots from getting too close to your patio.

Keep Watering

Roots spread to where they can find sources of water, and so if a tree is regularly watered the roots will grow deeper rather than wider and shallower. If the roots are low enough they are unlikely to cause any damage to your patio.

Trees grow to reach nutrients, water and sunlight, so ensuring they have enough of all of these will stop your tree roots and branches from growing in an unruly way.

Pare Back The Roots

Try to avoid planting a tree too close to a driveway, or building a drive too close to a tree, but if you have roots growing close or already lifting parts of your drive or patio, the best way to fix the issue is to cut away the roots.

Dig a trench near where the lifting is taking place and cut the root doing any damage.

Create A Barrier

You can create a barrier of sorts to slow down the rate at which the roots grow under the cement.

Creating a barrier made of hardibacker or cement board will force the root to go deeper underground, avoiding the risk of subsidence.

For more information on beautiful patios in Shrewsbury, get in touch today.