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The Little Tree That Could

By
Home Inspector with StepByStep Home Services LC

Garage Floor Crack

Walking towards the garage during a recent inspection I caught a surprised look on the Realtors face. Turning to me she said "big crack here." Hearing her say that and seeing the look on her face I knew there was something big going on in there.

Before I even walked into the garage I could see one wall was tilted and water was ponding in the area. Inspecting the parameter of the garage there was a significant amount of WDI damage due to the wet conditions. From the look of things this has been going on for years.

 

The crack extended right down the middle and was obviously caused by heaving. I'd seen similar cracks in the past and they were typically caused by large root systems. Walking around the back there was a HUGE group of two or three trees growing into each other. They were practically growing out of the side of the garage. Looks like those cute little saplings grew up to be big bully's.

 

Tree Close To Structure

 

Comments (7)

Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Sounds like many of our own children :D

Feb 28, 2010 01:57 AM
Andy Chaudoir
Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas - Georgetown, TX
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas

Hello Vince - Those trees will do it.  People love their trees but hate to hear that they can do major damage to their home.

Feb 28, 2010 03:02 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

When they plant trees (usually too close to the house or driveway) they are cutsie wootsie.  People don't realize how much the root systems grow.  Sometimes trees root naturally beside the garage, like in your photo, and without realizing what happens over time people let them go!

Feb 28, 2010 09:02 PM
Mike Gillingham
Eastern Iowa Inspection Services LLC - Walker, IA

Yup, those trees will sure do some damage. Don't be afraid to tell someone they'd be better off without it. ;)

Mar 02, 2010 08:20 AM
Vince Santos
StepByStep Home Services LC - Canton, MI
Southeast Michigan Home Inspector

Laura - Some kids grow up to be big kids with bigger attitudes.

Jay - They should have pulled it right out of the ground years ago.

Mike - This was a tricky situation. The tree/s were right in the middle of the property line. The trunks were half on their yard and ALL the branches were over the neighbors back yard. It was a fantastic tree really and I bet their neighbors enjoyed the shade. I don't know how they would handle that situation.

Mar 05, 2010 11:17 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

Amazing that people couldn't see that coming or just didn't care.

Mar 15, 2010 02:01 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Those darn trees. Why, oh why, do people plant them so close to the structure?

Apr 06, 2010 04:21 AM