From pesky plants to dangerous drains, buying a home with outdoor space can sometimes be a perilous business.

Unfortunately, garden problems don’t discriminate and even the most experienced gardener can find themselves frustrated when confronted with soil issues, dried out grass and even infestations.

If you’re a keen gardener or simply looking to enjoy your outdoor space, then spotting these issues early, especially when you’re looking to buy a new property, means you can tackle them straight away.

If you can identify these potential pitfalls now, and if they’re serious, you can potentially ask the seller to get them properly sorted before finalising any deal.

Japanese Knotweed

We don’t like to disrespect any plant at s1homes, but this really is as nasty as it sounds.

Introduced in the Victorian era as an ornamental vine, it can break through concrete walls and foundations – think of it as the Incredible Hulk of the plant kingdom. It’s difficult to get rid of as its removal is subject to local and national regulations, and it can seriously depreciate property values.

If you’re in any doubt about its presence, get a professional gardening expert to take a look and advise you.

Drain Damage

Old drainage and sewer systems with poor seals and leaking joints can cause long-term problems in the garden or under your house. But even in newbuild homes, invasive tree roots can break and block drains. When a drain leaks it not only causes a stink, it can also lead to the formation of cavities where water leaks into the soil and threatens a home’s infrastructure.

If you smell trouble, a thorough home inspection should include mention of any standing water in areas such as the basement or under floorboards.

If your garden is located near a source of water, like a running stream or river, then it’s best to check how this is affecting the garden. For example, if close to a river, during heaving rainfall this could rise and flood the garden. Similarly, with a running stream, this could also overflow. Check the condition of the soil closest to the edge of the garden for any signs of flood damage. If you are concerned then it’s best to conduct a survey, especially if you’re considering buying the property.

Lawn Menace

Another potential drainage problem is in the garden itself, particularly if you have a large area of lawn. Right now, this may well be looking perfectly green and healthy. But come winter and a lengthy spell of torrential downpours and your dear green land could become a lake big enough to hide Nessie. So check to see that soils and grassy areas in the garden drain away well and ensure your chosen property isn’t actually located in a basin at the lowest point of the neighbourhood.

Another lawn issue you can discover is sparse or dead patches in shaded areas of the garden. Firstly, what is causing the issue? Is it a large overgrown tree or is the fence or wall too high? In these cases, there might not be much you can do, aside from chopping down the tree or opting for a lower fence. If the shading is unavoidable and you want to keep the green grass look then you may need to opt for artificial grass – but remember this may also be affected by the different levels of sun rays on each part and could cause discolouration. Alternatively, you could line these areas with plants, stones or paving slabs, creating a pathway or seating area.

Unwanted weeds

By far a gardener’s least favourite job, weeding if done regularly can be a simple process, but can be time consuming. You will also need a basic knowledge of what is a weed and what is not, to ensure you’re getting rid of the unwanted plants. Weeds in the lawn are particularly troublesome, and if not dealt with, can leave it hard to recover and in need of an expensive overhaul. It’s important to be proactive and remove weeds as you see them, plus treat with weedkillers to stop them from returning in large amounts. But sadly, there will always be a level of weed removal required in any garden.

Creepy Climbers

There’s something romantic about a picture postcard cottage covered with Ivy or Wisteria. But be wary. Climbers can potentially inflict damage to exterior walls by penetrating cracks or joints causing structural damage if not properly maintained. Both are vigorous plants that whilst looking pretty, require regular pruning and training to keep them in check. Again, this is a job for a professional gardener to survey or it can form part of a Home Report from an RICS-registered surveyor.

For beautiful properties with small gardens, big gardens and no gardens at all, dig into s1homes.