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Vegetation Growing On Or Near A House Should Be Removed

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Chances are good that a buyer and home inspector will be concerned about hidden damage behind ivy growing on a home.  Knowing this, it makes sense for a home owner to remove the ivy and make any needed repairs prior to putting their home on the market.  As Jay says, this may not be easy. 

If you're thinking of selling your ivy-covered Crofton home any time in the next few years, I recommend beginning the process sooner rather than later.

Thanks, Jay, for another helpful tip for homeowners.

P.S.  Be sure to comment on the original post by Jay.

Original content by Jay Markanich 3380-000723

Vegetation growing on or near a house should be removed.

I see this all the time.  Overgrown vegatation clinging to a house.  Or a big tree 6' from the front corner! 

This is never a good idea!

But doesn't it look stately and add interest to the house?

It might, but it adds other things too. 

  • Vegetation growing on the house attracts insects to the house and they will make a home if they can, and get inside.
  • Ivy and such growing on the walls will attach itself to the siding material and, if given opportunity, will actually get in and grow inside the walls.  I have been in basements where English Ivy is growing 40' from its source, and very happily!
  • Most ivy has very strong tendrils with sticky roots that attach themselves to the surface.  Not only is this all hard to remove, but even when removed their residue is evident and very difficult to eradicate.
  • Their roots hold moisture against the house, and/or foundation wall.
  • Trees can be especially damaging, holding moisture against houses, creating erosion underground creating holes near the house and species with aggressive roots can push on and even crack foundation walls.

The ivy on this house is growing under the vinyl siding, between the vinyl siding and the synthetic stucco on the chimney, and is holding moisture against that synthetic stucco. 

Removing it might even damage that stucco's skin.

Despite this little cutie's presence, watching over they ivy and patio, I think this is going to be a big job making this all look right.

And end up right!

There is a lot we can't see.  What gaps and holes have been opened up?

This ivy was planted intentionally and has been there for a long time.

It is happy and healthy!

AND A PROBLEM.

My recommendation:  confine your plantings around the house to beds and pots away from the house.  Keep vegetation away from any siding and the foundation wall.  Ivy on the walls should be avoided completely.  Look up planting recommendations for trees and shrubs, and recommended planting distances from the house.  Those recommendations are for a reason!  And if you need a guardian to watch over it all, make sure she is as cute as the Ivy Nymph up there!

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


Posted by

This infoMargaret Wodarmation was provided to you by Margaret Woda, an Associate Broker with Long & Foster Real Estate in Crofton Maryland. Contact Margaret today for general real estate information or to learn how she can help you buy or sell a home in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, Davidsonville, Gambrills, and Odenton. 

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Comments (9)

Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Any soil that comes in contact with wood is a bad sign too. Allows for wood eating insects to enter home.

Jun 22, 2012 01:31 AM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Thanks for sharing good information with us. Trees and ivy are so pretty but they can cause a lot of problems. I am sure it is much better to remove before having inspections.

Betty

Jun 22, 2012 01:32 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Margaret. Both you and Jay are right, and in my view living like you are going to sell is prudent always.

Jun 22, 2012 01:32 AM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Very good fpoint, Not many homes around here with that kind of ivy growth so it is not something we think about much in this area... thanks for the sharing.

Jun 22, 2012 01:38 AM
Mike Hill & Rita Norman
Norman- Hill Properties /Crown Key Realty - Concord, CA

Margret: I am so glad, you wrote about this. Mike and I just shake our heads every time we see homes with all that growth. We try and explain the problems, but no one takes us seriously.

Great article. Thank you!

~ Rita and MIke

Jun 22, 2012 01:54 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Thanks for the reblog Margaret!  And yes, this is a problem which should be handled sooner than later.  Like, um, now!

Jun 22, 2012 02:27 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Since the look of ivy on brick is "charming" to many people, I don't believe it will necessary deter a contract coming in, but a home inspector will probably say something similar to what Jay wrote in his post.  This is one of those things that could result in complications, unexpected costs, or even a fall-through between contract and closing.

Be sure to comment on Jay's original post.

Jun 22, 2012 05:20 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good selection for a re-blog.  The vines might add a lot of greenery but that can also do much damage.

Have an outstanding week.

Jun 24, 2012 01:21 AM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains

Margaret: Thanks for re-blogging.  This is good information.  My next door neighbor's house was totally covered with ivy plus the front yard.  It's all gone now and oh, how much better it looks.  I was always so afraid of snakes that might be lurking in all of that mess.

Jun 25, 2012 09:29 PM