6. Growing Shrubs and Trees Too Close to Your House’s Foundation

If your house has a garden, chances are you’ve grown some plants to jazz it up. Be careful, though, as even those lovely shrubs can ruin your home’s foundation in the long run and lead to serious structural damage.

All landscape designers know that, and every homeowner must learn it too. Therefore, here’s a rule to remember: You should plant all the shrubs and trees at least half the distance of their maximum spread. For instance, a shrub that can reach 10 feet wide at maturity must grow at least 5 feet away from your house’s foundation.

When it comes to trees, however, things are a bit different. Since they have wider root systems, they must grow at least 15 feet away from your home’s foundation.

The reason why shrubs and trees growing too close to your house may pose a threat is that they draw water, which can put pressure on the foundation and eventually cause shifting or cracks. Large roots can also penetrate pipes and push up the foundation of your home.