:) chances are good that it's an ivy- where it grows on the ground, it roots anywher it touches the ground. where it grows on a surface, there has to be 'trunks'

cut them off with a heavy lopper (or a brush saw if they're really big) and pull the vines away from the building (GENTLY- especially if your house has siding) starting with those trunks.

it will send up new shoots from that spot- you can bury them (first a 2" later of wet newsprint, then 3-5" of mulch)

or just keep cutting of the new growth until the roots exhaust themselves-

or even train the new growth wherever you want it.

I would ID the plant before you assasinate it, though ;)

Dear chinacat_sunflower,

Thanks for your advice! I think it IS ivy, as you said. I will try your method and hope for the best!