Root barriers are physical underground walls installed between tree roots and your home’s foundation. They redirect root growth and help stabilize soil moisture, protecting your foundation, plumbing, and flatwork.

Our expansive clay soils are highly reactive to moisture changes. Tree roots, especially from oaks, extract moisture and create imbalances in the soil, leading to foundation movement. Root barriers help prevent this.

At Imperial Pro, we install root barriers to a depth of 36 inches—deep enough to block aggressive feeder roots. Many companies fall short of this standard, installing barriers under 30 inches, which compromises their effectiveness.

We use high-density commercial-grade plastic with proven durability. Unlike biodegradable fabrics or cheap rolls sold at hardware stores, our material is engineered to last decades underground without collapsing or rotting.

Root barrier installations typically cost between $65 and $75 per linear foot. This service is labor-intensive and requires experience to avoid damaging irrigation, utilities, and landscaping during installation.

It varies based on the size of the tree and layout of the property. A mature oak tree may require about 25 linear feet to protect the foundation. In new construction, 25 feet may fully encase the tree for total protection.

Technically yes, but root barrier installation is extremely challenging and requires deep trenching near utilities and irrigation lines. Many DIY installs fail due to shallow depth or incorrect material. Most homeowners end up calling us to correct or finish the job.

Yes. In fact, they are often critical in preventing further movement after a repair. By stopping the tree from continuing to desiccate the soil, barriers help keep the slab stable and reduce the chance of interior settlement.

Not at all. In fact, installing root barriers during the early stages of a home’s life—especially when trees are young—is the most effective way to avoid foundation issues altogether.

In our experience, no tree has ever been harmed by a properly installed root barrier. Arborists focus on the tree’s health, but as foundation specialists, we prioritize structural safety. Installed correctly, barriers protect both the home and the tree’s long-term viability.

Yes. When combined with a proper watering system, root barriers can help rehydrate dried soils and encourage natural uplift. This often improves elevation and reduces the need for invasive foundation repair.

Yes. Root barriers help protect buried sewer lines and water pipes by preventing root intrusion and soil movement that can strain or break plumbing systems.

Absolutely. Many licensed engineers recommend root barriers as a critical step in stabilizing foundations before considering structural repair. Barriers help correct the cause—not just the symptom—of foundation movement.

Yes, but it’s more complex. We take great care to protect and restore landscaping. However, root barriers are easiest and most affordable to install before major landscaping is added to a new home.

If you live in Fort Bend County, have large trees near your home, or have already had foundation movement—root barriers are almost always recommended. We can provide a free evaluation to help you decide.