A bamboo tree root barrier is essential in preventing damage to nearby structures, pavements, and walkways, which can lead to costly repairs in the long term.
The team at Americover helps landscapers and contractors find the ideal American-made plastic sheeting for their projects. For those customers searching for bamboo tree root barriers, their top inquiry is how thick should my root barrier be.
Understanding the Ideal Thickness of Bamboo Root Barriers
Roots are fast-growing and have sharp ends likely to puncture most synthetic materials if they are too thin. Therefore, your root barriers must be durable and flexible enough to offer excellent resistance to root penetration.
The ideal thickness of a root barrier is 30-40 mils (mils, which measure at 0.0254 mm, are not to be confused with millimeters.) 30 mil is commonly used as a bamboo barrier, but if you are in doubt, go thicker to be safe, because root barriers are available in mil thickness up to 80-100 mils. We aren’t tree root experts, but we know plastic sheeting well, and durability depends on several factors, but one key factor is the mil thickness, meaning thicker does equate to a more durable root barrier.
The Best Bamboo Root Barrier for Your Construction and Landscaping Project
Americover’s Root Barrier is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film stocked in 30 mils or 40 mils but offered in mil thicknesses up to 100 mils. Root Barrier redirects tree roots to prevent costly root damage to nearby structures, underground piping, and hardscape.
Installing a root barrier is a wise way to protect your project and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that both thrive for a long time. The best time to install a root barrier is before trouble roots crop up. Contact a plastic sheeting specialist expert to start your project today.
Read further for more insight into root barriers and how to install one for your landscaping project.
The Consequences of Not Having a Root Barrier
Roots lie under the surface and may be easily forgotten about, but the truth is that roots expand rapidly and are strong enough to crack pavements, underground pipes, and building foundations. This can cause costly damages and additionally be a danger since uprooted trees can tumble over. Root barriers are designed to protect both building structures and the tree.
Root Barrier Installation Tips for Builders
Root barriers are used in bioswales, in new house construction to stabilize reactive clay under foundations, in waterproof cutoff walls, to prevent contamination migration, and in hardscape protection. They are installed between the tree roots and the structure builders are aiming to protect.
Root barriers can be installed using either the linear or the surrounding installation. Root barriers may also be used to repair damaged walkways.
Linear Installation
This involves placing the root barrier in a straight line between the tree and the structure, effectively directing the roots away from the vulnerable area. This is a favorable method for trees that are up against concrete structures.
Surrounding Installation
In this method, the root barrier is positioned in a circle around the tree, preventing the roots from spreading outward. This is beneficial for trees that may be surrounded by building structures and you would like to direct root growth down.
Pruning and Repairing Damaged Walkways
For established trees with roots already causing damage, strategic pruning combined with root barrier installation can help redirect growth away from the affected area. For safety and to ensure you do not damage the tree, it may be worth it to consult with a tree service to help prune roots.
Trusted by Builders, Growers, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or chat now.