does ivy growing on a house or building damage the building?
The damage will take time to happen of course. 1. The most obvious potential for damage is from the tendrils themselves. They will gradually penetrate mortar joints or stucco. On wooden or vinyl siding, they will just get under the siding, pulling it away. Plants are amazingly strong given time to work. This may let moisture in. At the very least, the ivy will cause problems, by helping bugs (carpenter ants) into your walls. They like moist conditions. 2. If you try to pull the ivy off, it will damage your siding. Expect discoloration at the very least. More likely, expect it to take pieces of your house with it as it comes away. Keep ivy off your buildings. It may look pretty, but it is bad news.
