Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

-jes

"jsmcast" wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

Poor quality concrete perhaps? That's not happening to our 12 year old
foundation. We've had Pine bark nuggets against it all that time.


-jes

On Apr 8, 11:21 am, "Manelli Family" wrote:
"jsmcast" wrote in message

ups.com...

Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

Poor quality concrete perhaps? That's not happening to our 12 year old
foundation. We've had Pine bark nuggets against it all that time.



-jes

The house is 20 years old, and this has happened very recently. Are
you using the large pine bark chips?

-jes

jsmcast wrote:
Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

-jes

I have "heard" that mulch can raise the moisture content of the surface
area of foundation and then a hard freeze can result in flaking.
Foundation companies in your area probably could get you a sure answer.

Lar

"jsmcast" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 8, 11:21 am, "Manelli Family" wrote:
"jsmcast" wrote in message

ups.com...

Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

Poor quality concrete perhaps? That's not happening to our 12 year old
foundation. We've had Pine bark nuggets against it all that time.



-jes

The house is 20 years old, and this has happened very recently. Are
you using the large pine bark chips?

Yes but they get smaller and finer as they rot down.


-jes

"Lar" wrote in message
...
I have "heard" that mulch can raise the moisture content of the surface
area of foundation and then a hard freeze can result in flaking.
Foundation companies in your area probably could get you a sure answer.




Or maybe it is a simple "mulch mold" flaking off and not the foundation
itself?



--
Toni
South Florida USA
USDA Zone 10
http://www.cearbhaill.com

I don't think your flaking problem is a matter of which mulch to use.
The major difference is that some types last longer than others. The
mulch right against the house causes a lack of sufficient air
circulation. This could especially be a problem if the area is on the
north or east side, where it may not be getting enough sun to dry out.
As a general rule, it's best to keep mulch 2-3 inches away from anything
so as not to encourage dampness problems. This is especially true of
woody plants, by the way.

Also, make sure the area is pitched away from the house at 1 inch high
for every foot going away from the house so rain/water drain away from
the house.

jsmcast wrote:
On Apr 8, 11:21 am, "Manelli Family" wrote:
"jsmcast" wrote in message

ups.com...

Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.
Any advice?
Poor quality concrete perhaps? That's not happening to our 12 year old
foundation. We've had Pine bark nuggets against it all that time.



-jes

The house is 20 years old, and this has happened very recently. Are
you using the large pine bark chips?

-jes

We also recommend not using all bark mulch. It does not have the carbon in
a form we need for feeding the soil.
Two articles which refer to mulching can be found he
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/CHEM.html

http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/RHIZO.html


Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.






"jsmcast" wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

-jes

You really do not want to place the mulch against the house any more than
you want to place the muclh against the trunk of trees. If you use mulch
near your house you want to make sure that it has composted. Composted
mulch will reduce your chances of getting artillery fungus on your house.
Agian even if the mulch is well composted you don't want to place it against
the trunk of your trees or do you want to pile it against your structure.
Have you ever seen where mulch was piled against a tree trunk and then
removed? Its bleached as well. Most of the time I recommend a mulch that
I deal with. It is composted tree trimming from the chipper, which has
composted for a year or more.
I have a section on mulch in two areas.
Mulching - http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub3.html and

http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/index.html Look up "Mulch"

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.


"jsmcast" wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter (like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?

-jes

"symplastless" wrote in message
. ..
You really do not want to place the mulch against the house any more
than you want to place the muclh against the trunk of trees. If you
use mulch near your house you want to make sure that it has composted.
Composted mulch will reduce your chances of getting artillery fungus
on your house. Agian even if the mulch is well composted you don't
want to place it against the trunk of your trees or do you want to
pile it against your structure. Have you ever seen where mulch was
piled against a tree trunk and then removed? Its bleached as well.
Most of the time I recommend a mulch that I deal with. It is
composted tree trimming from the chipper, which has composted for a
year or more.
I have a section on mulch in two areas.
Mulching - http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub3.html and

http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/index.html Look up "Mulch"

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep
reminding us that we are not the boss.

"jsmcast" wrote in message
ups.com...
Has anyone had issues with mulch eroding their foundation? I have
poured walls and the put dark hardwood mulch against it (for the last
three years). I noticed that the foundation was getting lighter
(like
it was bleached) and when I went to investigate the areas that had
mulch against it, would flake and fall off. Fortunately I have
caught
in time, but I need to know what mulch is safe, if any, to use by my
house's foundation.

Any advice?


This is not a binary group.

--
Travis in Shoreline Washington