Trees and home foundation damage

Should They Stay or Should They Go?

   I love trees. I climbed them as a child. I am amazed at their beauty as an adult. They serve a great purpose, both as something beautiful to admire and as a natural resource. Trees in a yard can make a house look fantastic. But trees can be dangerous to home. They need to be planted a certain distance from the home, depending on the tree and its root system. If you are planting a new tree or evaluating an existing tree in your yard, call an arborist. Do it right, or you can cause a major damage to your home's foundation.
   Trees can cause foundation damage in 3 ways:
1. Physical contact with your foundation.
2. Affecting the moisture content of the soil under or near your foundation.
3. Causing air gaps and shifting soil due to decaying roots under or near a foundation.
   Larger trees are a bigger concern with physical contact. Obviously, the larger the roots, the more damage may occur. The roots can extend more than 3 times the height of the tree. So if you have a 50 foot tree, it's roots may grow out to 150 feet. The proximity of the tree makes a huge difference. A good gauge is if your tree has limbs near or over your home, its roots are probably growing under your foundation. If you have a Pier and Beam foundation (usually found in older homes), this is less of a concern. Slab foundations sit on the soil and is more easily affected by root pressure.

   Trees can affect the moisture content of the soil under and around your foundation. This is a concern if your foundation is "floating" on that soil (slab foundation). Trees transpire (draw) water through their roots. And where are their roots? In the ground. If the tree is too close to your home, it is drawing moisture from the soil supporting your foundation and it will begin to recede. If you are not watering the entire perimeter of your home's foundation, it will recede much quicker. If you are not watering around your perimeter, the tree roots will look for water elsewhere. And the closest place for them to find it is under your home. They will grow out looking for an adequate water supply. If you keep it watered and your trees are set the right distance away from your foundation, you are less likely to have foundation damage. Unless your foundation was not built correctly. But that is a whole other issue!
   If you have trees removed, make sure the entire root system is removed and the gap is filled in. If the roots are left, there will be gaps when they decay. Your soil will shift to fill those gaps, causing
your foundation to shift. If your tree has many years of life left, it is often recommended to steer the roots away from the house, rather than remove the tree. If the tree is near the end of its life, removal is recommend.
   Again- call an arborist when dealing with trees. There are lasting consequences of improper planting, maintenance and removal of trees. They are beautiful and a wonderful resource, but they must be maintained properly or they become a hazard for your home. Insurance carriers will not insure foundation repairs due to wear and tear. Letting a tree root system grow into your foundation is wear and tear. Not watering your foundation properly is wear and tear (and neglect!).  As a homeowner, this is one of your responsibilities. Take good care of your foundation. It is the entire base your home rests upon!

Do you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance? 
Call Brockman Premier Insurance:
Local: 214-592-0859
Toll Free: 877-987-8683
or email: brian@brockmanpremier.com
Visit our website for great tips! www.wekeepuinsured.com

Roof Coverage

Why Does Your Roof's Age Matter?

   One of the first questions we ask is "How old is your roof?" Often we get asked why it matters. Roofing and foundation are the start and finish of your home. If one of them is damaged, the rest of the house is in danger as well. This is why insurance carriers are interested. If your roof is in poor shape, the chances of a claim are greater. Which is exactly what carriers want to avoid. Insurance is there to make you whole again in the case of a loss. But carriers do not want to have to pay claims. They will (most of them anyway!), but it costs them more money than you have paid them. So it isn't very cost effective. And trust me, while they are providing a very needed and valuable service, profit is a priority.
   We live in Texas. And in Texas, we have storms, many, many storms. Texas has the most volatile weather of any state. We have wind, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, even a few earthquakes! Roofs are the first line of defense for a home during a storm. It is the first part damaged, which leads to damage for the rest of the home. It is a huge risk to insure.
   Most carriers will send out inspectors to look at the home they are insuring. Sound business practice if you ask me. This is NOT the same as the pre-sale inspection. I have seen the carrier inspection come back with a very different view of the home than the pre-sale inspector. The carrier inspector's results are the ones the carrier will use. The two inspections have different goals. The pre-sale inspector is there to evaluate the condition of the home for move in. The carrier's inspector is there to evaluate the RISK involved in insuring the home.  The most common issues found are fences and the roof. Thankfully, most carriers will give the insured 30-45 days to get the issue fixed or find another insurance policy. But chances are, you will run into the same issue with the next carrier.
   Sometimes, we run into customers who want to debate whether the carrier is right or not.This is the point I want to get across to the consumers out there. You can argue all you want. But in the end, it is the carrier who will have to cover the cost of replacing your roof or any other claim. They have the final decision as to whether or not they want to insure a risk. 
   It can be so frustrating to both the insured and the agent. Our goal, as agents, is to keep you insured. Your goal is to stay insured. We both need the carriers to reach our goals. Since they set the rules and guidelines, we are subject to those rules and guidelines.
   Now keep in mind, insurance is one of the most regulated industries out there. Each state has a Department of Insurance that governs what the carriers can and cannot charge, cover and pay out. The carriers are not out there just setting whatever limits and premiums they want. So again- you can debate all you want, but the rules and guidelines are set long before you buy your insurance. The gray area lies in the hands of the carrier as to whether they will insure a risk. Now, whether they will pay a claim once they have agree to insure your home is a different story (and a different post). 
   When you are shopping for home insurance, be honest with your agent. Tell him/her about your claims history and the age and condition of the home. This will help the agent place you in the correct policy from the start. Different carriers allow different levels of risk. Some carriers will not insure a home over 40 years old. Some will require a different deductible amount if your roof is over 10 years old. Give your agent all of the details so he can offer you the most suitable choices. And if you are served a cancellation notice because of conditions of your home, take it seriously. Either get it fixed or get with your agent and see if he/she can find you a different policy. 

If you have questions or need a quote, 

please contact Brockman Premier Insurance.

Local 214-592-0859

Toll Free: 877-987-8683

Visit us at www.wekeepuinsured.com