Warning for anyone doing a garden makeover – the eight mistakes that could end up costing you £9k

HOMEOWNERS are being warned of eight gardening mistakes that could end up costing them thousands of pounds if overlooked.

As the sun comes out many people will be keen to get started on a summer garden makeover – but insurers Aviva are advising people to think twice before planting trees and shrubs.

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The UK heatwave that was seen last summer in the UK has fuelled concerns about the risks of subsidence.

This is when the ground under your property starts to sink causing the foundations of your home to be unbalanced, moving the walls and floors, leading to the destabilisation of your property.

And research conducted by insurance experts indicate more than a third of homeowners are concerned about subsidence, while a quarter are specifically worried that trees near their buildings may lead to this issue.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported the average subsidence claim in 2022 was £9,600.

Waseem Malik, Aviva’s chief claims officer, said: “The vast majority of homes and gardens can co-exist quite happily without plants causing problems to properties.

“However, nature can be incredibly powerful, and trees and shrubs will go to extreme lengths to find the water they need to survive during hot spells.

“In turn, the surrounding ground can become incredibly dry and unstable if plants have removed excessive moisture.

“In extreme cases, this can lead to subsidence for nearby buildings.

“We’d urge people to do a bit of research before they start making changes to their outdoor spaces, to avoid any issues further down the line.”

Here are the top tips for green-fingered gardeners to help minimise the risk of subsidence.

Planting the wrong tree

Gardeners are being advised to choose wisely when it comes to selecting what tree type to plant.

Some varieties of trees including poplar, willow, elm and oak, could be more likely to cause problems than others due to their long, fine root structures.

Aviva advises that people may wish to consult an expert for advice if they are unsure of what to plant.

Planting trees or large shrubs close to buildings

People are being urged not only to think about their home when planting large trees and shrubs but also garages and outbuildings.

A cluster of smaller, individual hedge plants can also have a larger impact when grouped together, the insurer warns.

A suitable distance will depend on the type of subsoil, variety of tree and depth of foundations.

It is recommended that if you are in doubt to check with a gardening expert.

Not moving shrubs that have already been planted

If you think that a shrub is too close to your home or outbuilding you could consider moving it.

If a shrub was planted after the home was built and is still relatively small, it may be possible to reposition them elsewhere.

Not maintaining trees

Not trimming back trees could cause problems, the bigger the size of the tree or shrub, the more water it will need to take from the ground.

Maintaining trees properly by pollarding or thinning will reduce the amount of water they require and will therefore allow moisture to remain in the soil.

Not keeping a close eye on trees close to your property or garden

If a tree is in the street or on a neighbouring property, it is still possible to affect your home or outbuildings if positioned close to your structures, so be mindful of any signs of shifting or cracking.

Not getting appropriate consent before removing or modifying a tree

A tree preservation order is an order made by the local planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands.

An order prohibits the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage and wilful destruction of trees without the local planning authority’s written consent.

Cutting down a tree with a preservation order can carry high penalties and fines.

You can find out if a tree has a preservation order on it by speaking to your local authority.

Not maintaining gutters and drainpipes.

Leaks from drains or water mains can also lead to issues as they can soften soil or even wash it away, causing the land to sink downwards. Sandy, gritty soils are more susceptible to this issue.

Also, check your gutters and drainpipes too and make sure they are well maintained.

Be vigilant in areas where clay soils are common

Subsidence may be more likely to occur in areas where clay soils are prevalent because they are more prone to shrinking during hot weather.

Clay soils are often more common in southern England.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk