Ivy Removal Etobicoke
You always see that historic buildings covered in ivy. The way the plant creeps up the side of the wall seems so stoic and beautiful. Many homeowners in Etobicoke have opted for that look to be applied to their home! While many of us can agree this look is interesting and sometimes even classy, it may not be for the best.
Overtime this look has been applied to many homes. Without the full knowledge base of just how ivy grows and sits on a space you may be in for a world of hurt. Certain walls can be damaged irreversibly by ivy. Given the type of material your home is made of and the amount if ivy accumulated, we can decide just how worth it the look can be.
Weakened Brick
These fixtures can be riddled with cracks and holes. The damage that already exists can add character to a home. Once ivy is added to this however we have a whole new issue. The crumbling wall can cause a structural danger over time. Ivy increases that time drastically by growing into the cracks and expanding them.
Dry-Stacked Walls
Walls without mortar have a unique, broken texture to them. Ivy will not only increase the damage done to the wall or the time for decay, but can also destroy the wall completely when torn from it.
Brick
Brick walls can vary in danger for ivy. The brick is not the issue here. The mortar that holds a brick wall together has evolved in the last 10 years. Mortar has become particularly strong and can hold its own against ivy and the forces of nature. The issue arises when you have a brick wall in your home that was built around or before 1930. These old walls look fantastic covered in natural ivy. The look that seems to capture time can destroy your home. The mortar that is the glue to your old home can be eroded and broken by the ivy, especially when removed. Do not risk the structural integrity of your home.
Wooden Walls
Ivy is a horrific and strong enemy to wood. Ivy can work its way in-between the boards of your walls and break open joints and structure founding connections. The ancient plant can also infect the small splits in the edges of your wood. This will promote rot and eat your home from the inside out. A final nail in the coffin for this idea is the fact that ivy is the perfect bed for wood destroying insects to run rampant.
Siding
Siding is quite penetrable for ivy. Allowing ivy to grow around your siding can promote rot and quick degradation of the wall. This is only made worse by removing the ivy to disastrous results.
Painted Walls
Painted walls are protected from structural damage, but can be made quite ugly by ivy. The paint itself will erode away and fully remove when taking the ivy separate from the wall. Make sure you know the consequences.