Tree Roots Causing Wall Cracking
Tree Roots Causing Wall Cracking is a high-severity soil & foundation defect SURE inspectors have documented across 5 inspection reports.
Causes
- Tree root intrusion
- Tree root growth
- Root growth causing pressure on foundation
- Proximity of large trees
Symptoms to look for
- Visible wall cracking in the vicinity of trees
- Crack to wall
- External cracks on northern wall
- Visible tree roots in subfloor
Remedies
- Engage an arborist to remove root sections causing cracking to walls
- Contact a qualified landscaper for advice
Get an inspector through this property.
Findings in this category skew high severity. If you are under contract, we can usually book inside the cooling-off window. Every inspection includes 12 months of free advice.
Curated entries in Soil & foundation
- Curated 1–4/5Trees in Close Proximity to Dwelling
Large trees within the foraging radius of the dwelling - typically any tree within 3 m for small species, or within 10 m for large eucalypts - introduce two distinct risks: root-driven soil moisture fluctuation that causes differential footing movement on reactive clay, and a direct termite foraging corridor between a timber food source in the crown or root system and the building structure. Neither defect is always present, but the proximity constitutes a conducive condition that warrants ongoing monitoring.
- Curated 2–5/5Reactive Clay Soil Movement Affecting Foundation
Seasonal expansion and contraction of reactive clay soils causing cyclical foundation movement, wall cracking, and floor level changes. Prevalent in Sydney Western Suburbs and some Perth clay zones. Severity depends on soil class (H, H1, H2, E) and footing design adequacy.