Japanese Knotweed is a large, invasive plant which finds its way into the fabric of a building such as via joints in concrete, cavity walls, weaknesses in broken mortar between paving slabs or bricks.
Japanese Knotweed (or Fallopia Japonica), which can grow up to an inch every day, up to nine feet in height with roots up to three metres deep, has the ability to mature rapidly across a large surface area, with the slightest trace causing continuing problems.
The Environment Agency described the weed as "indisputably the UK's most aggressive and destructive plant" which can, in severe circumstances, cause major structural damage and render properties almost unsaleable!
In a recent landmark legal case, Network Rail is facing compensation claims to treat it and more for the fall of up to 50% in value of homes after the company ignored pleas by residents to remove Knotweed from their properties.
Some residents saw the value of their homes almost halved after the plant spread into their foundations which rendered one unsaleable. It seems it is virtually impossible to secure mortgage finance from UK lenders on land or property with Japanese Knotweed on or adjacent to it.
The scale of the problem should not be under estimated. Japanese Knotweed needs to be treated as soon as possible after detection to avoid further growth, cost and potentially compromising property’s value and saleability. You have been warned!