A HOUSE insurance expert has issued an urgent warning over an invasive plant that can “consume” your home and cost thousands to fix.
The common vegetation can be found around many UK homes and cause lots of damage, according to the expert.
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Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just Japanese Knotweed we should be careful of in the garden.
That’s why specialist property whizzes at Bickers Insurance have warned against ivy.
They stress that untouched ivy can “very quickly get out of hand” and scale the sides of a building at a vast rate of knots.
The experts added: “This vigorous climber is invasive and can “consume” buildings in the same way that triffid’s can consume humans!”
Ivy can be a delight to have growing on your property if well maintained.
However, most of the time it will be allowed to grow out of control and damage to the building will result, experts say.
Bickers Insurance advised: “Ivy can damage brickwork, the rendering holding the bricks together, downpipes, guttering, it can grow into your drains, and it can affect the performance of your rainwater goods causing damp in your walls.
“If you have ever seen a property that has had extensive ivy removed from it you will appreciate what we mean.
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“The ‘scarring’ of a property can be extensive and don’t think you can claim on your building insurance policy – it won’t be covered.”
The experts also warned that Ivy can damage your property during specific times of the year.
Ivy can get into the walls and cracks the render, but the water can freeze in winter “causing further cracking and deterioration of your property”.
This is a huge danger to homeowners as your property insurance will not cover this.
However, Ivy can act as a “possible thermal shield for your property”.
The experts say that it has been found to warm up walls by 15 per cent in cold weather and cool them by 36 per cent during warm weather.
But these potential positives are not enough to erase the dangers Ivy can pose to your property.
Bickers Insurance agent Julian added: “Landlords should check their property regularly for ivy or other plants growing in or around their let property.
“If you cannot view the property yourself, make sure the letting agent inspects the vegetation when they carry out their regular inspections.
“If you have a property insurance query then please give us a call or submit an online quote request.”
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