Ivy on Buildings: Pretty… Until It Isn’t

Ivy looks charming, but it can pry into mortar, trap moisture, hide cracks, and invite pests. Left alone, those “green walls” turn into repair bills.



📍 Serving: Chicago & surrounding suburbs • 📞 (773) 257-3147 • 🌐 606landsnow.com

Tall apartment building covered in green ivy, located on a city street with cars and a traffic light.
Stone building with green ivy covering part of the facade, four windows visible.

Home Insurance

  • Maintenance matters. Long-term ivy damage is often treated as deferred maintenance—not a sudden loss, so claims can be reduced or denied.


  • Paper trail helps. Before/after photos and a licensed, insured contractor make future claims stronger.
    (Not legal advice, check your policy and ask your agent.)


Man pruning a rose bush against a white fence. He wears gloves and kneels.
Stone building facade covered in green ivy, two windows with brown frames, and a hedge.

How we remove it: without wrecking your wall



  • 1. Assess & photo the site. Then if you want us to do the work send us pics.

    Evaluate the area thoroughly before beginning. Capture clear photos of the affected surfaces, focusing on the extent of ivy growth and any visible damage.

  • 2. Pull down ivy gently and try to pull at as much horizontal angle as possible.

    Provide us with the images of the site so we can assess the scope of work and provide an accurate estimate for removal and restoration services.

  • 3. Cut vines at the base and let them dry 1–3 weeks (they release cleanly).

    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.

  • 4. Gently remove with brushes/scrapers, no pressure washing on masonry.

    Cutting the vines at the base will help them detach naturally once they dry, ensuring they release without leaving residue or causing additional damage.

  • 5. Treat roots and flag hidden issues for repointing, sealing, or paint touch-ups

    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.

  • 6. DON’T FORGET about aerial roots that may be growing in the mortar.

    After ivy removal, inspect for any root systems or damage to the structure. Mark areas that need repointing, sealing, or paint to maintain the integrity of the surface.

  • 7. Document with after-photos + care tips.

    Aerial roots often infiltrate mortar joints and can be overlooked. After completing the job, take detailed photos of the finished work and provide care instructions to prevent regrowth.

A person wearing gardening gloves holds soil near green plants and brown mulch.

Mulch is one of the best ways to take care of your garden's perennial plants and ensure everything grows well in the spring. Mulch acts as a barrier between your plants and the environment around them. It can distinguish between an incredible landscape and one that doesn't.


Here are five of the most important reasons why you should use mulch!


Mulch Locks in Nutrients.


Mulch keeps soil from washing away when it rains, and it also preserves nutrients in the soil. As the organic matter in mulch runs down, it adds new nutrients to the soil.


Mulch brings earthworms.


Mulch makes it more likely for earthworms to move in near your native plants. Earthworms are a great way to give your soil more nutrients and make your yard's ecosystem stronger and healthier.


Mulch increased the amount of organic matter.


Organic mulches decompose and contribute to the organic matter in the soil. These include tree leaves, grasses, crop residues, wood bark, and wood chips. It raises the number of microbes. Using organic materials from your yard or neighbors' yards keeps them out of landfills and moves nutrients from plants to soil and back to plants.


Mulch stops weeds from growing.


Do you like pulling weeds all through the spring? We did not think so! Mulch is an excellent way to keep weeds at bay and prevent them from spreading through your grass and native plants. By keeping the weeds from getting sunlight, they won't be able to grow into a severe problem.


Decreases the density of soil.


The Texas A&M Forest Service says that vertical mulching is a soil treatment done around a tree's roots to improve how well the roots work and the tree's health. Vertical mulching loosens soils that a lot of foot traffic has packed down, adds nutrients to poor soil, and makes the soil better at letting water go through.


Mulch is a great way to "dress up" your garden, and it also adds essential nutrients and makes the soil stay healthy. Even though it's hard to believe, early spring is coming up and is one of the best times to put down mulch.


If you want to make your garden look prettier in the spring, 606 Land & Snow can help.


Please give us a call, and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! We love hearing from you!

Landscapes with mulch: a pool area, plants with brown mulch, and flowers with tan mulch.

DIY or call us?

DIY: small, reachable areas on sound surfaces.

Call us: older brick, high walls, painted/unknown layers, or moisture concerns.

Ivy on Buildings: Pretty… Until It Isn’t

By looka_production_103648083 • October 13, 2025
New Title

Seasonal Planters In Chicago

By looka_production_103648083 • August 12, 2025
Bringing Year-Round Beauty to Your Garden
Window view of vibrant orange autumn trees, partial white curtain, and bedsheets.

Seasonal Planters: Bringing Year-Round Beauty to Your Garden

By looka_production_103648083 • January 20, 2025
Transform your garden into a year-round oasis with seasonal planters! Each season brings its own unique charm, and with the right plants, your garden can reflect the best of winter, autumn, summer, and spring. Here’s how to create stunning seasonal planters that will make your outdoor space bloom beautifully all year long.