What is Japanese Knotweed?
Japanese Knotweed is an invasive and resilient weed. Its roots and rhizomes can grow to a depth of 3m and can spread laterally up to 7m from a parent plant. Even after a course of treatment has removed the growth above the surface, the deep underground rhizomes can remain in a viable state and may do so for up to twenty years. It can re-emerge and re-grow on its own accord at any time, especially if the contaminated ground is disturbed. If knotweed is left to grow untreated for several years it has the potential to cause structural damage to drains, paving, paths, driveways and poorly constructed boundary walls.
Impacts of Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed is a highly invasive, fast growing non-native plant introduced into the UK during the nineteenth century as an ornamental plant.
Since its introduction, Japanese Knotweed has spread extensively throughout the UK and is now listed in the top 10 of the UK's most invasive species.
Common impacts of a Japanese Knotweed infestation can be wide ranging, as detailed below:
Time delays to development projects
Impeding/preventing property sales
Discourages financial institutions from providing mortgages
Aesthetic damage to gardens/landscaping
Increased flooding risk by impeding river water flow
Adverse publicity for landowners
Damage to underground systems – drains, sewers etc.
Damage to hard surfaces – patios, driveways, paths
Damage to structures – walls, conservatories, out buildings
How to identify Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed is a seasonal weed. It dies off during the winter months and re-emerges in time for spring. In spring, you will be able to see red or purple shoots appear from the ground. These will rapidly begin to grow into long canes which over time will turn green in colour with purple specks along the cane.
Japanese Knotweed is fully grown by early summer and grow up to 3 meters in height. The plant flowers in late summer and these consist of clusters of spiky stems covered in tiny creamy-white flowers. The leaves are luscious green in colour and usually flat and often shovel or heart shaped in appearance.
Our Japanese Knotweed team here at White Rock Property Care are experts at what they do, having successfully identified and treated Japanese knotweed throughout South Wales & beyond over several years. If you think you are at risk from an infestation, why not snap a photo & let our team identify it – you may be panicking over nothing…
Our Team of Experts
We are sympathetic to our customer’s concerns, as we understand that Japanese Knotweed is the subject of a lot of negative exposure and ill feeling among the public. Our team of highly trained, experienced Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) surveyors are on hand to diagnose and assess potential cases and suggest remedial treatment.
Our surveyors have amassed a wealth of experience in dealing with Japanese Knotweed infestations. Individually, our surveyors are all accredited with the highest of Industry Standards, allowing them to carry out work to the highest level, whilst White Rock Property Care Knotweed Solutions are fully accredited members of the Invasive Weed Control Group, regulated by the Property care Association.
Our surveyors are accredited with the PCA Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) certificates having undergone extensive training to correctly identify, treat and monitor Japanese Knotweed infestations.
Further to this, all of our qualified technicians hold the Property Care Associations (PCAQT) in Japanese Knotweed, and hold their PA1, PA6 and PA6AW for the safe and correct preparation, use and storage of herbicides, used in the treatment of Japanese Knotweed infestations.
Course of Action
Upon positive identification of a Japanese Knotweed infestation by one of our fully qualified CSJK surveyors from our in-house team, we would implement an effective, bespoke Japanese Knotweed Management Plan (KMP) to evaluate, assess and treat your infestation.
This is a very structured process, with four fundamental elements to include for:
1) Survey
2) Knotweed Management Plan (KMP)
3) Treatment
4) Assess and monitor
Whilst these steps incorporate the essential elements of a successful plan, we are fully aware that each case of Japanese Knotweed will be different and as such, we can tailor our plan to meet your individual requirements.
Insurance backed guarantees
Our Japanese Knotweed guarantees can be issued for any type of site whether it is a residential home or a construction site to be developed into a housing development. Our guarantees also act as a solution to funding and house and land sale issues. The guarantee is a treatment certificate that is required by mortgage companies and lenders in order to allow mortgaging, this is the best and only guarantee you can get when it comes to Japanese Knotweed!
Our guarantees are independently written and approved not only by the Invasive Weed Control Group of the Property Care Association (PCA) but they are also recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
We can offer both 5 year and 10 year guarantees with all of our Japanese Knotweed treatment plans as the offer 'complete peace of mind' from the day our treatment is carried out.
As a PCA approved contractor, we can also offer Insurance Backed Guarantees to give you that extra peace of mind. These insurance policies are offered by GPI (Guaranteed Protection Insurance Ltd) for a one off additional cost.
GPI are a general insurer authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and insurance backed means that in the unlikely event that we were unable to continue as a business, your Japanese Knotweed guarantee policy would continue to be effective and covered by another PCA contractor approved by GPI. This policy of insurance can also be passed to future home-owners (at a fee) and a Japanese Knotweed survey will need to be undertaken if not carried out at the start of the treatment plan.
Why is a Japanese Knotweed guarantee so important?
Due to the way Japanese Knotweed grows, spreads and survives, Japanese Knotweed is a very difficult plant to eradicate and can cause significant damage if not treated correctly.
Our guarantee ensures that if our Japanese Knotweed treatment and removal processes do not work, then under your Japanese Knotweed guarantee, you are covered for up to 5 or 10 years from the completion of our treatment plan. You will need to contact us as soon as you have seen any re-growth (as stated in our guarantee) so that we can arrange for one of our (CSJK) qualified surveyors to survey your property (subject to the terms of our guarantee). All we ask is you ensure you keep all of your original paperwork in a safe place.
We can offer guarantees for both residential and commercial property / sites including new builds developments.
To find out more about our Japanese Knotweed guarantee, or anything else Japanese Knotweed related please contact our team on 01792 461235
