Tree roots can damage nearby sidewalks

Danny and Joe welcome callers’ questions each week on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.

Here’s a question from our Oct. 26 broadcast:

Linda from South Carolina says, “It appears that my walkway in the front yard is sinking, causing the bricks to push up out of the ground.

Also, the ground at my carport is lower, too, and the edge of the parking area has a crack in the concrete between the two parking spots. It looks like one parking spot is lower than the other.

I’m 76 and unable to do any repairs myself … nor can I afford to spend a lot of money for repair. Do I call a contractor or a landscaper? How can this be fixed?”

We tell Linda to cut roots from the tree near the walkway. A safe way to handle this is to stay at least 10 feet away from the trunk of the tree. 

She could have someone take a saw and go back and forth on the roots, then add paver base from Pavestone. Next, she needs to replace the bricks that are impacted by the roots.

Listen to the embedded audio clip above for the answer!
Read the blog from the Oct. 26 show and listen to the full broadcast here.

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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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