Japanese knotweed - ?????HELP! please

bubbles29 · 5 June 2012 at 8:59PM

well thats why i am looking for some advice...
the sellers were obviously a little idiotic, they have done a few other things that are just daft! but easy to fix.
i am aware it spreads rapidly and the damage it can do-hence why i am looking into bringing in a specialist company to eradicate it

FOX_HOUND · 5 June 2012 at 9:08PM

marliepanda wrote: »

But dont you see that its not a bargain? Its a liability.

Why havent the sellers treated it so they can sell it for a higher price?

From what I have read it can spread incredibly, so it may be 2 small plants now, but what about later? And near the house, could wreck the foundations.

Sorry but that was not my experience of it. When I moved in we had knotweed plants that were 5 feet tall in clumps. If you haven't seen it the stems at the end of summer are like bamboo. I hacked it down and kept digging probably for 18 months. No doubt it pops up even now. ONly on sunday I went to a town in south wales never having been there before and guess what-knotweed near houses.

As a seller you wouldn't treat 2 plants. You'd simply snap off the top.

AlwaysSmiling · 5 June 2012 at 9:09PM

I am not a professional in any case but my dad worked on building sites for years. He came across this and they got a professional team to come in. The main issue about Japanese knotweed is the roots, it is very difficult to get rid of and the digger involved had to dig very deep to uplift the roots. So I don't think cutting the heads off would be sufficient. I have had a quick look on wikipedia here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_knotweed

Hope this helps.

bubbles29 · 5 June 2012 at 9:18PM

we were wondering if the surveyor was a bit paranoid- and covering his own back so to speak....?

FOX_HOUND · 5 June 2012 at 9:26PM

bubbles29 wrote: »

we were wondering if the surveyor was a bit paranoid- and covering his own back so to speak....?

Quite possibly.

They often are but in this litigous age who can blame them!

I never gave it a thought when I sold my previous house that knotweed could be a potential problem in the sale. And it wasn't. Yet from the upstairs bedroom you could see a forest of it.

AlwaysSmiling · 5 June 2012 at 9:29PM

I think the surveyor may be worried if the roots had undermined the house in any way. I suppose the only way of knowing would be to get professional opinions. Buying a house is an expensive thing, if it is a bargain then great but it wouldn't be such a bargain if you need to spend out on structural work. I think to save money in the long term check it out fully first to save any future expenses to put it right. Good luck whatever you decide.

bubbles29 · 5 June 2012 at 9:33PM

i am fully prepared to seek professional opinions and professional help to eradicate the weed, if this is really possible. theres so many conflicting stories its difficult to find out exactly what i can do

FOX_HOUND · 5 June 2012 at 9:40PM

Obviously professional opinion should be sought in a house purchase. Its too big not to. Safety first on that one. But talk of 2 plants of knotweed destroying foundations imho is simply paranoia of the highest order. And I had well established knotweed almost taller than me 15 feet from my back door.

I'd be interested to know how you can check for roots. With drains yuo can send a camera. What if concrete is involved? Would you dig it up or around the foundations? Just can't see it.

robatwork · 5 June 2012 at 9:42PM

Why not ask if you can go for another viewing with a professional contractor to get his opinion?

AlwaysSmiling · 5 June 2012 at 9:42PM

I emphasis with you as I wouldn't really know either and I am only speaking from what my dad told me. Speak to some professionals (not cowboys) and see how much it would cost to get rid of, this should give you an indication as to why the owner hadn't done it already. This could form the negotiation of buying the house. I would speak to the surveyor again to see what he thought of the structure of the house and if there were any concerns from the knotweed.