How common is subsidence?

Subsidence is a common problem in the UK and is defined as the vertical downward movement of the ground. If a building is located above, this will result in the damage to a building and its foundations. Subsidence is thought to affect up to 20% of residential properties in England and Wales.

How do I find out if an area is prone to subsidence?

One of the easiest ways to check whether there is a subsidence risk in the area where you live or are planning to live is to consult a 'hotspot' map based on databases of information. This source notes that the areas that suffer the most are the big cities, like London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Can subsidence be reversed?

Subsidence can be reversed through a slow accumulation of new sediment on managed wetlands and mixed wetland-rice farms.

What is the main cause of subsidence?

Subsidence - sinking of the ground because of underground material movement—is most often caused by the removal of water, oil, natural gas, or mineral resources out of the ground by pumping, fracking, or mining activities.

When can subsidence occur?

Subsidence can occur when the weather alters the ground below your property. Soils expand in wet weather and contract in dry weather, so long periods of wet winter weather and long periods of dry summer weather causes constant fluctuations in groundwater and makes the soil beneath your home unstable.

Subsidence: What Is It? What Can Be Done? | Phil Spencer's Tips

What are the first signs of subsidence?

Are all cracks subsidence?

Not all cracks are due to subsidence – fine, hairline cracks are usually nothing to worry about. Subsidence cracks to be wider than a ten pence piece. Cracks caused by subsidence.

Do houses with subsidence sell?

Selling a house with subsidence

You can sell a house with ongoing subsidence, but you should be prepared to take a serious drop in the asking price. This allows the buyer to undertake the work that needs to be conducted to rectify the subsidence issue.

How do surveyors check for subsidence?

What is involved in a subsidence survey? A specialist will come to your property to carry out an investigation into the existence and extent of subsidence. This will begin with a visual inspection to look at cracks in the walls, sticking doors and windows and other obvious signs of subsidence.

How can we stop subsidence?

Do I have to declare subsidence when selling?

Unfortunately, there is no limit on how long you have to declare subsidence. If your property has been affected by subsidence at any point in the past, particularly if an insurance claim on that basis has been made about it, then you do have to declare it to the estate agent and the buyer.

How long does subsidence take to show?

It may be that the surveyor decides your home needs to be monitored before they can determine whether the ground is sinking. This can take up to 12 months.

Is subsidence easy to fix?

Dealing with subsidence affecting your home is, unfortunately, never a quick fix. There is a process that you need to follow, which starts with spotting the first signs and getting a firm diagnosis of subsidence before you can move on to carrying out works to fix the problem and clearing up afterwards.

How many houses in UK have subsidence?

Subsidence is thought to affect up to 20% of residential properties in England and Wales.

Is subsidence covered by building insurance?

Most buildings insurance policies only cover the cost of repairing the damage caused by subsidence, not proactively preventing any future subsidence.

Is subsidence an issue?

Subsidence is a very specific issue that occurs when the ground under your house collapses, or sinks lower, taking some of the building's foundations with it. This puts strain on your home's structure as one side sinks, causing cracks to appear.

Will a HomeBuyers survey pick up subsidence?

Will a HomeBuyers Survey pick up subsidence & damp? Subsidence and damp are fundamental to our inspections. We will be looking for cracking, movement and signs of subsidence and settlement. In respect of dampness, we will be making a visual inspection as well as checking with handheld moisture meter.

Is subsidence the same as movement?

Subsidence, settlement, heave, sway, bouncy floors, bulging walls, cracks, expansion and contraction are all forms of structural movement.

Can a structural engineer check for subsidence?

If your mortgage lender has confirmed you have subsidence within their mortgage valuation then you will need to instruct a structural engineer or chartered building surveyor to complete a subsidence survey.

Is an underpinned house worth less?

Underpinning will devalue a property but by how much will depend upon how severe the subsidence was and also how recently it occurred. As a general estimate underpinned property is worth around 20-25% less. Despite it being worth less, don't let the fact the property has been underpinned put you off.

Does underpinning stop subsidence?

Underpinning is the old method of treating subsidence, now with Geobear it can be repaired in as little as one day. Our simple injections of material into the ground under your home cures subsidence permanently, it stops the environment affecting the soils and creates a solid base for the future.

When should I be concerned about house cracks?

Severe – cracks up to 25mm wide could be a sign of structural damage and should be inspected and repaired by a professional. Very severe – any crack above 25mm in width indicates serious structural damage and will need major repair work, which could include underpinning and rebuilding.

Is it normal for old houses to have cracks?

A: Wall cracks are fairly common in both new and older homes and are often the result of normal house “settling” that can quickly, inexpensively be remedied by re-taping the joints—the seams where the drywall panels meet.

How can you tell if a crack is structural?

When should I worry about cracks in walls UK?

Hairline cracks of less than one millimetre in width or slight cracks of between one and five millimetres are generally not a cause for concern. If you begin to notice these, they can generally be filled and painted over as they're a crack in the plaster but not in the wall itself.