In summer, plants - in particular climbing plants - can be a beautiful addition to your property, but if left unchecked, they can cause damage to your home's structure. In some cases, foundation repair costs in the UK can costs thousands, depending on your property size and the extent of damage.
To avoid paying damage costs like this, Chris Ross, director of Direct Building Products, has highlighted the main plants in spring and summer that can cause the most damage to a property's structure, before explaining how to manage or destroy them on a budget effectively, as well as highlighting the best management tips of plants to help you avoid any potential damage.
Japanese Knotweed is a big problem for UK properties. Beginning to grow in April and May, the massive root system of Japanese Knotweed utilises weaknesses in building foundations and connecting drainage systems and causes gradual damage, resulting in a faulty structure over an extended period of time. For the average UK property size, it could cost you up to £40,000 for professional Japanese knotweed removal and a further £9,500 for structural damage repairs depending on the impact it has had over time.
How to destroy this yourself: Spraying the stems with chemicals is the most effective treatment to stop knotweeds spreading, as organic methods of removing Japanese knotweed such as digging and uprooting the weed can cause more problems in the long run, due to its ability to regenerate from small pieces of root and the issues around its disposal. When using chemical sprays, please make sure you only use approved herbicides and complete this process in a safe way. Remember, you'll have to respray and to complete the entire process can often take up to three years.
Ivy can be a feature on your home all year round and could be creating cracks in your structure, allowing damp to leak through. Due to its strong attachment to walls, Ivy can be a worry to some homeowners, as it may damage wall surfaces or block drains and gutters. With a survey and report, alongside the physical removal of Ivy, the price can cost around £600. In the worst case scenario of property damage on top, this whole process could potentially cost you £10,000.
How to destroy this yourself: If you notice Ivy growth in advance, try hand-pulling and uprooting an area. Although this can be time-consuming, this method will result in the least amount of regrowth. In areas more thicker than others, try raking the Ivy to uproot them, or, if you have Ivy on your walls, cut the ivy at the stems to cause the plant to dry out. White vinegar is also a safe, nontoxic method to kill the plant. Spray with vinegar, salt and soap directly onto the leaves and allow the acid content to kill the plant within a few days.
Campsis, also called trumpet vine , is an invasive plant like Ivy and can be extremely fast spreading, due to the extensive vine root system. These usually bloom throughout summer and into autumn, so be aware of them around this period of the year.
Trumpet vine removal is typically the same price as Ivy, however for general garden clearance jobs, it can cost on average £210 per load or £52 per hour. Again, added to any possible damage to your properties structure, your total price could be around £9,710, if not properly maintained.
How to destroy this yourself: Boiling water can be used as a herbicide to treat trumpet vine in a low-cost, efficient, and natural approach. First, cut the vine at the ground level, then boil some water over the base. While boiling water can be effective, it is possible that some roots will escape and new shoots will emerge.
Horsetail is a native British weed that usually grows in spring/summer. Many have found it to be the cause of more damage to infrastructure than Japanese Knotweed as it is well known for breaking through paved areas and destroying landscaped areas.
Horsetail removal can cost UK residents up to £380.00 + VAT according to some online estimates. Added to any possible damage to your properties structure, your total price could be around £9,900, if not properly maintained.
How to destroy this yourself: Removing horsetail by hand is difficult. Although horsetail growing near the surface can be forked out, deeper roots will require a lot more work, as occasional light weeding is not effective and can make the problem worse. We suggest infestations of horsetail to be weakened with standard weedkiller.
Improper weeding can cause the plant to regrow from any small pieces left behind. However, removing shoots as soon as they appear can reduce infestation. If horsetail appears in lawns, it can also be kept in check by mowing regularly.
Chris also suggests the following management tips for invasive climbing plants to prevent property damage.
Provide support: When planting climbing plants, make sure to provide them with adequate support, such as trellises or wires. This will help to control their growth and prevent them from attaching themselves to your home's exterior.
Regular maintenance: Regularly trim back your climbing plants to prevent them from growing too large and becoming too heavy. This will help to reduce the strain on your home's structure.
Monitor their growth: Keep an eye on the growth of your climbing plants and make adjustments as necessary. If they start to grow too close to your home's exterior, consider moving them further away.
Avoid spreading invasive plants: Be careful not to spread invasive plants to other areas of your property or to neighbouring properties. Clean your equipment, clothing, and footwear after working in areas where invasive plants are present.
Seek professional help: If you are unsure about how to manage your climbing plants, seek advice from a professional landscaper or arborist. They can help you choose the right plants and provide guidance on how to manage their growth to avoid property damage.
