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What is subsidence and how is it caused?

Subsidence usually happens when:

Houses are built on clay soils, and either the water table drops due to a long, dry spell or water is sucked out of the soil by trees and bushes. As the clay contracts it pulls the foundations, triggering deflection which may cause structural damage to buildings. Different types of clay shrink and swell at different rates.

Water leaks into the soil from, for example, a broken drainpipe and washes soil away from the foundations. This type of subsidence happens to soils with a high sand or gravel content.

How can I tell if my house is subsiding?

There could be movement in the ground beneath your home if you find:

• New or expanding cracks in plasterwork
• New or expanding cracks in outside brickwork
• Doors or windows sticking for no particular reason
• Rippling wallpaper that isn't caused by dampness

If you spot any of these problems and can't find a reason for them, get help from a specialist as soon as possible. If it is subsidence, the sooner it is diagnosed the better.

It's important to remember that subsidence can usually be rectified. Check that your insurance covers subsidence. Most insurers will aim to be as helpful as possible in dealing with any claim.

Brinks has a good relationship with many insurance companies. Give us a call. We can help.