Tree root damage can take any asphalt surface and slowly destroy it over time without some due diligence. Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial property owner, if there are beautiful, grand trees on the grounds near an asphalt surface, you may have a problem on your hands.
410 Asphalt can help provide solutions and recommendations to prevent damage or take care of the problem for you to rest easy.
Assessing Tree Root Damage
Our driveways or parking areas aren’t usually at the top of our minds until there’s an obvious issue. If you’ve tripped over the buckled asphalt too many times while getting your mail at the curb, it’s time to do something about it. Each time you remind yourself, you’ve got to get that taken care of before it becomes a much bigger problem. Well, now is the time to take some action.
Look for Visual Signs
The first thing you need to do is take a hard look at all the areas of the paved asphalt. Has the freeze-thaw of winter caused some buckling? A careful, thorough inspection can save you headaches and costly repairs later. Assessing the perimeter where damage often starts is critical. Look carefully to see if there are small, seemingly inconsequential cracks. The earlier you address the minor damage, the longer your asphalt driveway will last.
Inventory Your Trees
Often people plant trees too close together or close to the driveway or house. We’ve all seen the buckled sidewalk. Sidewalk-0. Tree-1. The tree will always win if it’s too close to your driveway or your home’s foundation.
Take a look at the trees on your property. How old are they? Are they already encroaching on the driveway? Don’t discount the tree that is still small. The placement when it was planted is what is essential. Do any of your trees have sentimental value? The trees with a surface root system do the most damage. So the variety is important too.
How to Fix Tree Root Damage
If the damage is minimal to the naked eye, you may have a relatively inexpensive fix on your hands. If the buckling is quite prominent due to the roots of a huge tree, you will need professional help. Now would be a good time to call 410 Asphalt. Regardless of the extent of the damage, we can give you professional recommendations and an estimate.
If a massive tree is encroaching on the asphalt parking area, the roots will have to be cut and dug out before repairing the asphalt. If you cut 20% of the roots, the tree may go into shock but is likely to survive. Cut 40% of the roots, and you may as well get the tree professionally removed because it’s going to die anyway.
Ways to Avoid Tree Root Damage
If you haven’t installed your driveway or parking lot, you’re in luck. If it’s an option, pave around large trees. Even the small trees shouldn’t be ignored. They are faster growing and can pose just as much threat as the bigger trees.
New asphalt should have a slight incline to ensure water doesn’t puddle. Draining toward the larger trees keeps the tree from seeking water elsewhere, like the ground under your pavement.
DIY Tree Root Damage Ideas
Are you a serious DIY person? Do you want to take a swing at removing the encroaching tree roots of that massive Elm tree? For starters, my hat goes off to you. Removing large roots isn’t a minor job. It may require a shovel, an ax, a chainsaw, or even a small excavator. You can rent most of this equipment. Be sure and use safety goggles and gloves.
When to Call a Professional
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re 20 minutes into your new DIY project to tackle tree root damage and are already questioning your sanity. Most asphalt repairs due to tree root damage are best left to the professionals. Go ahead and put your shovel away and call 410 Asphalt now. We’ll send out a professionally trained technician to assess the damage and give you an estimate so you can sit back and relax.
