Sorry Donna, but I think that not only are they a bit close to the house, but they're DEFINITELY too close to the drains. You'll be having trouble with the roots blocking the sewage pipes before your foundations have any bother. Is there a tree planting project that you could give the trees to? Or some sort of charity with plenty of space that could use them?

Out of interest what kind of Weeping Willows are they? Did the labels give them a name?
A normal Weeping willow will grow to huge proportions, but the ones usually sold in Homebase are grafted versions of the Kilmarnock Willow and they have far less invasive roots.

I'll check tonight Owdboggy but I 'assume' they'll be little ones, they are about "nose height" on me (about 5ftish) so when they're planted of course it will probably take them down to about 4.5ft. They certainly appear to be grafted at the top. They look like they should be minatures.

So how come their roots are so troublesome? I would have thought the Rowans planted there would have potentially been worse ... being bigger trees.....

I thought they'd look lovely there too :(

Your second description indicates a Kilmarnock Willow, Donna. It looks a bit like a broom handle with a mop on top? It will shortly produce some pussy palm like catkins. Therse are not nearly the size of the real weeping willow which would have dwarfed you garden; they can grow much larger than a rowan in the right conditions.

Well I've just spoken to one of my Dad's friends (who's head of the local council's Parks & Gardens - and should know his stuff). He doesn't think the willows are a good idea for where I want to put them as they are very close to drains (we have several drain covers/utility covers on that barked section). He advised me that willows do love water and will actively seek it, especially a crack in a pipe for example causing all sorts of problems. Apparently Poplars can do the same. He's advised me to try columnar Prunus instead (just have to buy them now gggrrrr).
Might plant one willow down the back garden away from the house where it can be quite boggy/clayish and I think I might give the other to my Mum for Mothers Day :)

That'll teach me to be impulsive :(

My Kilmarnock Willow ,which these more than probably are ,is 5yrs old in a large pot and no trouble with roots at all

Is it too late to take them back and explain the situation
Donna,?I'm sure they would exchange them for something else,or maybe give you a refund..I have found their customer services to be very good ...

I might try giving them a phone Bloomer, I never thought of that. Nothing to lose I guess.

http://homebase.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/trees/deciduous/small-garden-trees/ok-for-small-gardens/salix-caprea-kilmarnock/classid.4700/

Just found the link for it on the Homebase site, they are Kilmarnock willows ... it was too dark and cold to go out and look onthe label :)

Kilmarnock willows stay small so are a better choice than weeping willows for a small garden. I'd still worry a little about the drains, but Salix caprea is less of a threat than S. babylonica.

Our Kilmarnock willow of 14 years in age, blew over a few weeks ago in the gales. the roots are not that extensive. AND the roots can only get into piping if there is already a crack, they cannot force their way into them otherwise.

Cheers Owdboddy but I don't think I fancy taking the risk. Going to find somewhere in the back garden where they can't come to any harm!