Disaster Planning & Property Subsidence

What is subsidence?

Property subsidence is the downward movement of foundations as a result of a change in the underlying soil conditions. It’s often caused by dehydrated clay soil that shrinks when vegetation has absorbed the moisture from the soil, or there has been a dry spell. Ground movement can often occur causing damage as a result of drainage failure. It can also be due to properties being built on unstable land and where mining has previously taken place.

It often occurs in ‘pockets’ so if your home, or your neighbour’s home has been affected by subsidence, it may not necessarily affect the other properties.

How to spot subsidence

You’ll need to appoint an experienced Chartered Building Surveyor to determine whether your house is subsiding, but there are a number of things that can indicate an issue:

• Large diagonal cracks that appear wider at the top
• Bay windows shifting outwards
• Rippling wallpaper
• Doors or windows sticking for no obvious reason
• A new extension moving away from the main building

How we can help at Stephen Hodge Associates Ltd

First of all, we can support you in the initial diagnosis of the cause and determine the extent of the subsidence. We can then compile an initial report and then manage and control appropriate below ground investigations. These may include boreholes, soil testing and analysis to confirm the diagnosis from the initial visual inspection and create the detailed specification for the remedial repair work required.

After liaising with your Insurers, we can prepare contract documents and instruct tried and tested contractors and professionally project manage the restoration and reinstatement. You can appoint us, should you wish, to ensure your property has an effective and efficient solution to the subsidence damage.

Will subsidence be covered by your insurance provider?

If your policy states that subsidence and professional fees are included, you should be covered for both the repair costs including site investigations and underpinning where necessary including our fees. In our experience of over 3000 cases, the average cost of a subsidence claim is £40,000.