Avoid that sinking feeling and check out your home

THE summer heatwave may be a fading memory but the dry, hot weather could leave homeowners on shaky ground and insurers are urging them to check their properties for signs of subsidence.

This is typically caused when the ground below your home dries and shrinks, causing your foundations to shift downwards.

It is particularly prevalent in London and the South-east, where many homes are built on clay, but can hit properties anywhere depending on weather, soil, trees and drainage.

Insurer Aviva said autumn is a key time to spot subsidence, with enquiries in September 256 per cent above the monthly average for 2022. The first sign of subsidence maybe a crack in your plaster or brickwork, caused by shrinkage, so beware of new cracks.

Do not panic because in most cases this is caused by normal movement of the property, which can be more visible after a warm, dry spell.

Aviva UK’s director of property claims Kelly Whittington said for most of its customers subsidence worries turn out to be a minor issue: “A little movement in properties is to be expected and most cracks will be superficial.”

Yet it is worth monitoring developments to catch problems early, and carry out any maintenance before winter arrives, she added.

Be wary of diagonal cracks inside and outside the house, and around window and door frames, especially if they become difficult to open and close. Most cracks pose little or no risk to the structural stability of your home but any over 25mm wide, roughly the diameter of a £1 coin, will require assessment. If you suspect subsidence, contact your insurer.