Carrollton Foundation Experts connects homeowners who need root barrier installation in Carrollton, TX with an independent local company that can keep tree roots from drying out the soil under the slab.
Carrollton's established neighborhoods have had decades for their trees to grow, and many shade trees now stand close to houses. Their roots spread wide and pull a great deal of water from the clay, especially in summer.
How Trees Move Foundations
Clay shrinks as it loses water. A large tree near a house dries the soil around and beneath the nearest part of the slab. That section settles while the rest of the house stays put, and the difference shows up as cracks and sticking doors on the tree side of the house.
What a Root Barrier Does
A root barrier is a vertical panel set in a trench between the tree and the house. It guides roots downward and away from the soil under the foundation. It does not stop the tree from growing.
Installation
- Utilities are marked before digging.
- A narrow trench is cut between the tree and the house.
- Roots crossing the trench are cut cleanly.
- The barrier is placed and the trench is backfilled and compacted.
When It Makes Sense
- A mature tree within reach of the slab, with movement on that side
- A repair plan where roots were part of the cause
- Before planting new trees near the house
Keep the Tree or Remove It?
Many homeowners want to keep a mature tree, and a barrier plus steady watering often lets them. Sometimes a tree is simply too close to the house. An arborist can advise on the tree's health, and the foundation inspector can explain its effect on the slab.
Repairs and Barriers Together
If the slab has already dropped near a tree, a barrier alone will not lift it. Piers and leveling fix the structure, and the barrier helps keep it from moving again.
Mature Neighborhood Trees
Carrollton neighborhoods built decades ago now have trees that have reached full size. Live oaks, cedar elms and pecans can spread roots far beyond their canopies, sometimes under the slab of a house next door. If a neighbor's tree is near your foundation, a barrier on your side of the property line can still help. Talk with your neighbor before cutting roots of a tree that is not yours.
Ask About Material and Depth
Most barriers are heavy plastic panels set in a trench between the tree and the slab. The right depth depends on the tree and the soil. Ask what the company plans to install, and how deep.
Common questions
Will cutting roots kill my tree?
It stresses the tree, and how much depends on how close to the trunk the cuts are. Ask about placement and consult an arborist for valuable trees.
How deep is a root barrier?
It varies with the tree and soil, often several feet. Ask what the contractor plans.
Do I need a barrier if I water my foundation?
Watering helps keep moisture even but does not keep roots from spreading under the slab.
Can a barrier fix existing cracks?
No. It helps prevent further movement. Existing movement may need piers.
Do you serve all Carrollton neighborhoods?
Yes. Include your ZIP code with your request.
Can I put a root barrier in for a neighbor's tree?
On your side of the property line, often yes, but talk with your neighbor first since roots of their tree will be cut.