Skip to content
Back Back to Insurance menu Go to Insurance
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Insurance menu
Back Back to Holidays menu Go to Holidays
Back Back to Holidays menu
Europe
Africa
Asia
North America
South America
Caribbean
Back Back to Holidays menu
Other holidays
Back Back to Holidays menu
Holiday offers
Back Back to Holidays menu
Planning your holiday
Book with confidence
Travelling with us
Back Back to Cruise menu Go to Cruise
Back Back to Cruise menu
Ocean cruise destinations
River cruise destinations
Sailing from UK
Back Back to Cruise menu
Back Back to Cruise menu
Back Back to Cruise menu
Our blogs
Ocean cruise blogs
River cruise blogs
Back Back to Cruise menu
Cruise offers
Back Back to Cruise menu
Back Back to Saga Money Go to Saga Money
Back Back to Saga Money
Equity release
Here to help
Useful articles
Back Back to Saga Money
Saga Savings
Existing customers
Back Back to Saga Money
Legal Services
Back Back to Saga Money
Mortgages
Back Back to Saga Magazine menu Go to Magazine
Back Back to Magazine
Back Back to Magazine
Back Back to Magazine
Back Back to Saga Magazine menu
Search Magazine…
Search Magazine

Does ivy really damage brickwork?

John Conlin / 20 February 2018

A reader has heard that ivy can damage property and writes to chartered surveyor John Conlin to find out whether he should remove it.

Ivy growing on brick house
A reader has heard that ivy could be damaging the brickwork of his house

Question

The side wall of my house has been covered in ivy ever since I moved here 12 years ago. I like it, but I’ve been told that I should remove it to prevent damage to the brickwork.

Answer

Ivy adheres strongly to brick and stone walls, and removing it is likely to result in some of the mortar pointing being disturbed.

Ivy keeps the walls dry, preventing frost damage. Providing it is trimmed to prevent it clogging gutters and creeping beneath tiles, I always recommend it should be allowed to remain.

Try 12 issues of Saga Magazine

Subscribe today for just £34.95 for 12 issues...


Disclaimer

Saga Magazine is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site or newsletter, we may earn affiliate commission. Everything we recommend is independently chosen irrespective of affiliate agreements.

The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not held by Saga unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal, medical or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.

Related Articles

Related Topics

12 issues for £34.95

Save over 50% on a Saga Magazine subscription

Find out more
Saga Equity Release

Over 55 and UK home worth £70k or more? Get expert advice and all you need to know about equity release.

Find out more
Saga Home Insurance

Over a million people already benefit from our cover. Over 50? Click here to get a quote.

Find out more

John Conlin

Chartered surveyor John Conlin sorts out your legal and building woes.