The impact of dry weather on building subsidence – do I have suitable property insurance?
2025 has proved to be a good summer to have a staycation in the UK. There has been plenty of hot, warm days and hardly any breaks in the consistently high temperatures. In fact, the UK has ‘almost certainly had its hottest summer on record’ according to recent provisional reports from the Met Office.
However pleasant a warm summer can be, prolonged spells of dry weather can have a negative impact on various elements of a property, such as sun damage to the look of your home, increased risk of fire and arguably the most serious concern of subsidence. It’s paramount that you have suitable property insurance to protect your home from the impact of dry weather on subsidence.
What is subsidence?
Subsidence is ‘the process by which land or buildings sink to a lower level’, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
Long spells of dry weather can contribute to subsidence, due to a loss of moisture from the ground causing clay-rich soils to shrink, which can make a structure shift or settle unevenly. If you don’t deal with the issue, it can affect the foundations of your property, as subsidence may lead to cracks in walls, uneven floors, and even major structural damage, making your property less safe and significantly lowering its value.
What factors can lead to subsidence in a property?
- Soil type – clay-heavy soils are more liable to be affected by subsidence, since clay expands when wet and contracts when dry, such shrinkage leading to ground movement that can destabilise foundations.
- Trees and vegetation – the presence of large trees or mature shrubs near to a property can extract moisture from the soil, even more so when it is clay, causing contraction.
- Water leaks – if a property’s drainage is inadequate or there are broken pipes, this can erode soil and destabilise the ground and foundations. A common source of moisture during dry spells are drains, particularly foul or wastewater drains, as they still are carrying water. Root penetration from nearby vegetation can result in these drains becoming damaged, leaking, and so exacerbating the subsidence further.
- Climate conditions – areas that are susceptible to flooding or drought face higher risk of subsidence thanks to frequent, extreme soil moisture level variations.
- Older buildings – if a property is old, the foundations may not be of an adequate depth, making it more sensitive to soil movement.
- Insufficient groundworks – substandard building site works, for example using the incorrect fill material, can lead to subsidence.
How can I detect signs of subsidence?
- Cracks – if you notice sudden, diagonal cracks in walls which are wider at the top, especially around doors, windows, or where extensions join the main structure, this could be subsidence. These cracks can typically be wider than 3mm and be visible both internally and externally to the building.
- Doors and windows – check whether any doors or windows stick, no longer fit properly or are misaligned.
- Wallpaper – note if there are any unexpected creases or ripples, especially if on the joints between wall and ceiling.
- Floors – be aware if any floors are sloping or seem uneven.
If you suspect subsidence, contact your insurance provider immediately, who will advise the best course of action, which may be the visit of a specialist to assess the property. If you don’t have property insurance or are looking to renew, do get in touch with one of our experts for an assessment of subsidence risk for your property and building insurance.
Sutcliffe & Co. Insurance Brokers are highly experienced in property insurance, with over 40 years and four generations of experience in tow. Our team of professionals will assess your property’s vulnerability to weather-related issues and advise you accordingly as to the appropriate level of property insurance.
If you’d like to get in touch to discuss subsidence risk and your buildings insurance, please visit our property page, call 01905 21681, or email one of our experts at enquiries@sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk
