Subsidence Insurance

In recent years due to climate change and adverse weather conditions there has been a steady increase in subsidence insurance claims and follow on from properties that suffered subsidence due to varied weather conditions of the 1980’s & 1990’s

If you property is at risk off subsidence you can compare subsidence insurance specialist online at compare crazy

Weather conditions are in fact one of a number of factors that can cause subsidence although it is in itself a major contributor

Why Subsidence affects property
Trees with fast growing roots or trunks such as Willow, Elm or Birch and…….. in dry hot summer will send out roots that either get under the house then contract in wet weather causing damage to foundations or will break through drains so that the leak and wash way the foundations

Poor soil conditions such as clay or gravel are affected by weather as the clay contracts in the hot weather weakening the house and gravel is washed away by wet weather areas in the southeast of the country are affected by concentration of clay subsoil.

Locations requiring subsidence insurance

Hilly areas around London were the soil is constantly sliding down hill and clay can if fact act as lubricant for the process Places like Woolwich in south east London suffer terribly from subsidence due to clay soil hills and the fact that many houses were destroyed in the war due to V1 & V2 bombs creating gaps that can lead to domino effects Also in the south coast areas like Herne Bay & Whistable are another problem area

Other parts of the country have problems due to old mines failing and the like

Not to be confused with true subsidence is “natural settlement” this occurs in older properties particular those built with shallow foundations just like us as they get old houses sag with old age and it gives personality and character to the home.

Now you know a bit more about what subsidence is, how is it cured?
Typically underpinning which involves propping up the affected part of the house digging out the poor soil and infilling with concrete. In older properties you will often find iron plates or X shaped plate bolted to them these are stay bars or tie bars that act like a corset to pull the house back into shape