• Frequently Asked Questions
• Consumer Survey Info
• Homeowner's Tips

• General Home Maintenance
• Basements and Crawlspaces
• Home Safety
• Roofs
• Yard Maintenance

Yard Maintenance Affects the Home

Trees

Yes, we all love them dearly, but they need to be maintained. Trim back branches that are overhanging your home. Overhanging branches trap in moisture, restrict sunlight to enter your home, and make for easy entry for rodents like squirrels. The same consideration should be applied to trees growing too close to your foundation. Root systems can damage a foundation by pushing into the basement.

Cutting back vs. pulling out shrubs - Which is better?

If they are too close it is better to pull them out completely.  You can transplant them in the backyard, use them as a privacy barrier,  or give them to a neighbor.  If you don't pull them out the stump can remain alive and continue to grow and push against your foundation.

Overgrown shrubs / trees

"Just say no" to shrubs and trees touching your house. There should be about two feet of space between your shrubs and the sides of your house - this allows for air movement and helps protect your paint job, your siding and your windows.

Animal Holes

An animal hole can direct water right towards the foundation.  Let the animals live- but not against your foundation.