5 ways Japanese Knotweed causes costly property damage
Many will claim Japanese knotweed is the new 'Day of the Triffids', uprooting your house as though on stilts! Others believe Japanese knotweed is nothing but an everyday garden weed. Well, here’s the truth about the power of this invasive plant from our removal experts here at TCM. Read on to find out 5 major causes of costly damage to your home, business premises, other buildings and property.
Damage to drains
Japanese knotweed lurks two or three metres below ground in a complicated root network. In fact, the roots can spread up to seven metres in any direction from the rhizome, meaning knotweed can pierce underground drains, enlarging and splitting them until they’re made useless.
Japanese knotweed rhizome growing through drain pipe
Large Japanese knotweed rhizome at development site
Damage to cavity walls
Japanese knotweed loves to run wild through air vents in cavity walls. Sadly, the plant’s thickets put pressure on both the inside and outside walls, splitting them and pulling them apart. That's a costly price to pay for ignoring Japanese knotweed on your land.
Damage to concrete
Whether Japanese knotweed damages concrete by growing through it, or simply takes advantage of present cracks, is still a bone of contention in the industry. But simply said, if a drop of water can drip through a crack in your concrete, so Japanese knotweed can find a way through there too.
Damage to tarmac and asphalt
In a similar way, Japanese knotweed can pierce tarmac and asphalt, growing through and raising most materials used on driveways and paths.
Damage to garden fences, sheds and greenhouses
It is common for Japanese knotweed to wreak havoc in your garden, before attacking your house. Clearly, the invasive plant can damage garden fences, sheds and greenhouses. And when the infestation starts uprooting your neighbours fence, and invading their land, then you know things are going to get messy! And yes, we've seen this invasive plant growing through a greenhouse, exiting via the roof... it will stop at nothing to keep spreading.
As you can see, Japanese knotweed can cause minor to major property damage. It’s unlikely to take your home from under you; however, you shouldn't ignore even the smallest infestation in your garden. Don’t let Japanese knotweed take over your property, contact us today for advice and treatment.
