Neglecting the removal of knotweed from your property is a big problem that can lead to serious short-term and long-term consequences. First, it provides a safe sanctuary for wild animals and insects to hide, and damage the vegetation around it. Secondly, it harms the structural foundations of your property.
Due to this reason, it should be taken care of right away. Knowing the risks it can pose to your property can enable you to take timely measures for its removal. In this blog, we are going to mention the top 5 dangers of neglecting knotweed removal and how it can damage your property. Keep reading to find useful insights.
Table of Contents
1. Rapid Spread and Aggressive Growth
Knotweed is known for its rapid spread and relentless growth that causes multiple problems for you. When you neglect its removal, it can quickly get transformed from a small, manageable problem into a full-blown infestation that will be difficult to remove.
You will be astonished to know that it can expand its coverage area by several feet in just a matter of weeks and then damage the vegetation around it. This aggressive growth is caused by its underground rhizome system. These rhizomes not only spread horizontally but can also penetrate deeply into the soil.
This makes it incredibly resilient. When you neglect its removal for a longer period, it allows this plant the freedom to go deeper and deeper into the soil and further entrench itself in your property. The longer you leave it unattended, the more difficult it will be to eradicate, which will increase the risk of damage.
2. Structural Damage and Weakening of Foundations
Perhaps one of the most alarming dangers of knotweed neglect is the potential for structural damage to buildings and foundations. That is the main reason home and commercial property owners look for knotweed removal services.
Its strong rhizomes can infiltrate even the smallest cracks and joints in foundations, walls, and concrete structures. And as these rhizomes grow, they exert extreme pressure on these surfaces. Over time, this pressure can lead to the formation of cracks, which then compromises the structural integrity of your property.
When left unattended for a long time, this damage can result in structure failure and pose a significant safety risk to your property. That is why we recommend you get rid of it as soon as you can with the help of this Japanese knotweed removal company in London.
They will make sure that knotweed on your property is properly taken care of, and that the chances of regrowth are as minimal as possible.
3. Decreased Property Value
If potential buyers see knotweed growing on your property, they will be reluctant to invest in that property. This can have a negative impact on your property value because of the mere presence of knotweed. Fewer people interested in your property will lead to price reductions when trying to sell your property.
This is because many lenders are hesitant to provide mortgages for properties affected by knotweed, further complicating the sale process and depreciating the value of your property. So, if you keep on neglecting the removal of knotweed, it will limit your options when it comes time to sell.
The longer it will be on your property, the more challenging it will become to find a buyer to sell your property.
4. Increased Maintenance Costs and Efforts
As knotweed starts to spread on your property, it leads to more and more costs related to its removal. What could have been a relatively straightforward process, if addressed early on, becomes a complex and costly endeavour when neglected.
Established knotweed requires more extensive excavation, larger disposal efforts, and potentially even more aggressive chemical treatments to eradicate. Neglecting removal effectively allows knotweed to establish deeper and more extensive root systems, making it much more challenging to eliminate.
This means that procrastination not only increases the financial burden but also prolongs the disruption to your property and makes it difficult to declutter your space.
5. Allergies and Respiratory Issues
While often overlooked, knotweed can pose health risks to individuals, particularly those with allergies or respiratory conditions. The plant produces pollen and airborne particles that can cause allergies and respiratory problems in allergic people.
Neglecting knotweed removal allows these health risks to persist, potentially affecting the well-being of residents, visitors, or workers on the property.
