Neighbours have requested I remove tree stump infornt of house as causing cracks in theirs front wall

[HB1man]

Hi, As title says.. I have no issue removing the stump but I am worried that it may cause further damage which I would be liable for?

 

They have wrote to me saying it is a subsidence issue.

 

Summary

 

It is a request of mitigation

 

Clay soils have a characteristic where when they dry, they shrink. This shrinkage can result in the soil beneath a foundation to drop which in turn can cause damage to the structure. Dry of the clay soil has occurred and this has been brought about by moisture extraction through the roots of the nearby vegetation. Roots from the Oak tree under your ownership has been implicated as a source of the current subsistence damage, and in order to prevent further subsidence movent of the house and to safeguard future stability it will be necessary for you to complete the following measures - Remove(fell) to near ground level and treat the roots to prevent further regrowth.

 

I have been provided with a Geotechnical Survey Report which I can provide details of if it helps, which I think they have taken samples of soil. Results show Soil Suction and Liquid Limit %

 

I think the main result from the findings is

 

Calculated heave potential for the borehole using the control borehole is

 

BH	Depth (m)	Heave Potential (mm)	Layer Heave (mm)
BH1	1	50	28
BH1	2	22	14
BH1	3	8	8

 

 

Main questions are, is there a risk that this can cause further issues that I would be liable for, who best to contact about this (my insurance  say nothing to do with them), what I can do to mitigate any risk on me if I remove it.

 

Thanks in advance

[GarethM]

2 minutes ago, HB1man said:

Assume that is dead?

If that thing is causing anything, other than a piss take of a official letter I would be surprised!.

[Stubby]

5 hours ago, HB1man said:

Hi, As title says.. I have no issue removing the stump but I am worried that it may cause further damage which I would be liable for?

 

They have wrote to me saying it is a subsidence issue.

 

Summary

 

It is a request of mitigation

 

Clay soils have a characteristic where when they dry, they shrink. This shrinkage can result in the soil beneath a foundation to drop which in turn can cause damage to the structure. Dry of the clay soil has occurred and this has been brought about by moisture extraction through the roots of the nearby vegetation. Roots from the Oak tree under your ownership has been implicated as a source of the current subsistence damage, and in order to prevent further subsidence movent of the house and to safeguard future stability it will be necessary for you to complete the following measures - Remove(fell) to near ground level and treat the roots to prevent further regrowth.

 

I have been provided with a Geotechnical Survey Report which I can provide details of if it helps, which I think they have taken samples of soil. Results show Soil Suction and Liquid Limit %

 

I think the main result from the findings is

 

Calculated heave potential for the borehole using the control borehole is

 

 

BH	Depth (m)	Heave Potential (mm)	Layer Heave (mm)
BH1	1	50	28
BH1	2	22	14
BH1	3	8	8

 

 

Main questions are, is there a risk that this can cause further issues that I would be liable for, who best to contact about this (my insurance  say nothing to do with them), what I can do to mitigate any risk on me if I remove it.

 

Thanks in advance

You say you have no Problem with removing the stump . Is it just a stump and the rest of the tree is already gone ? If it is then I doubt just the stump would cause further  problems unless ( if indeed it has in the first instance ) it coppices and sprouts . You also mention subsidence and heave in the same post . Its one or the other not both .

[Mick Dempsey]

Reading the OP closer, I think it’s a tree.

[HB1man]

14 minutes ago, Stubby said:

You say you have no Problem with removing the stump . Is it just a stump and the rest of the tree is already gone ? If it is then I doubt just the stump would cause further  problems unless ( if indeed it has in the first instance ) it coppices and sprouts . You also mention subsidence and heave in the same post . Its one or the other not both .

Thanks. It is just the stump.

 

Not sure.. The table I posted is from a Heave calculation report which says they have examined the subsoil conditions and the provided info on the potential heave that may occur following  removal tree in a desiccated soil profile..

 

This issue (and the tests happened) dates back to before I moved in to this property, so wondering if tree was there at the time. Will confirm with their insurance.

 

I could share the full report but not sure if any issues with that.

[Mick Dempsey]

Take a picture pleeeease!

An oak stump is either dead or alive, if it’s dead, there’s no issue.

[Dan Maynard]

6 hours ago, HB1man said:

it will be necessary for you to complete the following measures - Remove(fell) to near ground level and treat the roots to prevent further regrowth.

They don't say remove the stump, just treat to stop it growing. Is it growing now?

 

Sounds like already been acted on to me.

[Stubby]

9 minutes ago, HB1man said:

Thanks. It is just the stump.

 

 

Ok . If you like the stump then leave it . If you don't and can afford a bloke with a stump grinder then grind it out . The world is your lobster ...🙂

[Stubby]

24 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Reading the OP closer, I think it’s a tree.

Apparently just the stump . Hey ho 

[GarethM]

If it predates you moving in, how long has the tree been gone and how long have you been there.

 

As it's odd how the owner of the other property hasn't informed the insurance it's been removed.

 

I'd be tempted to be an evil sod, providing the stump is dead to just send the letter back with a note saying No and let their insurance actually do the leg work for a non existent claim.

[HB1man]

Thanks for the replies!... Looks pretty dead to me..

 

Been here for nearly 2 years, they have only somehow managed to inform me in the last month and the original test was made in Nov 22.lol

 

Will post a picture tomorrow morning