Ivy removal - builder, gardener or tree surgeon?

SWMBO

There is a lot of ivy growing up the side of the house and onto the roof - who should I be looking for to remove it - a builder, a gardener or a tree surgeon? There is to much for me to remove it myself and I want to minimize any damage caused by removing it.

20122013

Ideally a tree surgeon or a handy man with a ladder should be able to to do it. 

While you find someone to help. Can you not cut it at the base near the ground and use weed killer to kill the root first, as it is summer time, it will dry and die soon. This way you do not need to pull anything out and should cause less damage than when it is living, but you might need the walls to be cleaned afterwards an

There are a few post with diy weed killer in the past 2 days.  

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6621240/how-to-get-rid-of-weeds#latest

 

marcia_

 I poisoned mine with roundup, lots of it and injected into the roots and it died with all the stalks on the house turning brown. 

WIAWSNB

First do a Google to find out if dead or alive ivy is easier to remove from brickwork without causing it damage.
If the former, then get killing first.
What surface is it on? Smooth render? Brick? 'Dash? 
The more 'pro' the worker, the more it'll cost. But, you do want someone who knows how to remove ivy properly, so ask each one how they'd do it. You might find a handyperson/house maintenance type who is fully au fait.

stuart45

It's better to kill it first. If it's soft brickwork the pros might need to steam clean it off.

TadleyBaggie

I did my own removal. I located the root(s) and sawed through them and then waited for the ivy to die. It then peeled off the wall quite easily.

twopenny

Whichever finish you have to the outside of your house it will leave it marked.
You will need it cleaned or painted.

But if it's over the roof and gutters getting it off that area before winter is important.
Getting it off around the gutters needs to be done by hand so it doesn't dislodge the gutter. Get them cleaned while they are up there as the leaves could cause a problem with the downpipe.

How tall is the house? It may need scaffolding.
How far over the roof? Then a roofer who do work off ladders but are usually more expensive. They are efficient though and could check for loose tiles at the same time.

When I had words with my 78 yr old neighbour about her ivy encroaching on my roof and walls she got some secuters and cut the base in a trice.
On balance I'd say dead ivy comes off better but does leave more mess with leaves. Either way you will need to pay for clearing up afterwards so include that and disposal in any quotes.

TELLIT01

It's not something I've tried yet, but I've been told that Roundup, with just a few drops of washing up liquid added is very effective against ivy.  Many weedkillers are ineffective because of the waxy surface of ivy.  The washing up liquid apparently helps it to adhere to the ivy.

20122013

twopenny said:

'Getting it off around the gutters needs to be done by hand so it doesn't dislodge the gutter. Get them cleaned while they are up there as the leaves could cause a problem with the downpipe.'

May I suggest to let them know that you would need photos to show what they have cleaned eg  gutter and roof emptied and cleaned or it may show any repairs needed etc and show close up and overall off the roof  (and not just showing you how much 'rubbish' they have collected') so you know what work had been carried out.

teaselMay

If you cut through all of the groudn level roots today that'll help expedite it giving up its hold on the wall when it is removed

Albermarle

20122013 said:

twopenny said:

'Getting it off around the gutters needs to be done by hand so it doesn't dislodge the gutter. Get them cleaned while they are up there as the leaves could cause a problem with the downpipe.'

May I suggest to let them know that you would need photos to show what they have cleaned eg  gutter and roof emptied and cleaned or it may show any repairs needed etc and show close up and overall off the roof  (and not just showing you how much 'rubbish' they have collected') so you know what work had been carried out.

We had some ivy that got behind the fascia boards and even behind some lead flashing, opening up gaps that could have caused leaks.