Is ivy destructive to buildings or is it a myth?

Question asked by: knowitall

Yes the way in which ivy grows can be very destructive to buildings.

It likes to connect or entwine itself and its roots can get anywhere.

They can therefore grow in cracks of buildings and force the material apart thus damaging the structural integrity of many buildings.
By: Unknown
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Despite Ivy's often beautiful appearance on building work, pruning this fast-growing plant is necessary in order to keep it away from wooden house parts (window frames, roof eaves, siding, etc.) and cracks in the brick walls or else it can ruin finishes and works its way into the house. Ivy does not cause mortar to crumble unless that mortar if it already unsound. It does not harm fired, clay bricks.
By: sharon01

Date of comment: Mon, May 9th 2011

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myth buildings ivy destructive

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