Subsidence is the downward rotational movement of the ground, which can cause structural damage to a building.
Properties built on a clay-rich soil and those with shallow foundations and near to vegetation are most at risk from subsidence damage.
As seen in 2018, when summer was marked by 12 weeks of little to no rain, subsidence can become a wider problem following a long period of hot, dry weather.
Oak, Willow, Hawthorn and Sycamore trees can compound the issue as they require a lot of water and adapt to a drought by spreading their roots into new areas where they wouldn’t ordinarily grow.
Subsidence in a property can be caused by a number of things. Some of the main causes of subsidence include:
It is not always possible to spot the earlier stages of subsidence, but there are a few key signs of structural movement to look out for, including:
Signs of subsidence should not be taken lightly. Should you spot signs of subsidence, it is important to seek expert advice and contact your insurer.
Only an expert will be able to provide suitable advice and the appropriate course of action, which may include underpinning (stabilising the foundations), removing any vegetation or trees, or in some instances demolishing and rebuilding (this is common with garages or extensions).
Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do to reduce the chances of subsidence - particularly if your home is in a subsidence-prone area. However, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to ensure that you are not contributing to the problem:
This is a question that home owners commonly ask. In contrast to subsidence, settlement is a natural part of the building process and is something you may experience if you move into a new or relatively new building. As the ground becomes compacted with the extra weight, small shifts occur as everything settles in. Builders will often return to a new property a few months after is has been finished to check and repair the minor cracks that can appear as a result of settlement.
As a specialist insurance provider, Towergate aims to cover circumstances just like these and provide cover even if your property has a history of damage caused by ground movement. If you’ve been turned away elsewhere, speak to Towergate - we may be able to help.
In order to insure a property with a history of subsidence, we will need full details of: the cause; when subsidence occurred; the repairs that have been done; and copies of any surveys that have been carried out. If the occurrence was over five years ago, we may also ask to for a more recent structural engineer's report.
For more information, visit our dedicated subsidence insurance page or call us on 0344 892 1750 to speak to a specialist adviser.
Date: August 20, 2021
Category: Other