Dry spell can cause subsidence

2nd June, 2011

Europe is on the brink of widespread water shortages and the alarm bells are ringing for insurers worried about the fall out. Lloyds of London are warning that widespread water shortages have serious implications for householders who will become victims to subsidence.

Parts of the UK have seen the driest spring in over a century. Areas of Europe including France and the Netherlands also experiencing extremely dry spells. Experts in water conservation suggest that greater use of water meters, soil water conservation and prioritising water use show be very much higher on the European agenda if widespread problems in the future are to be avoided.

Droughts affect our properties when cracks open up due to subsidence caused by the soil becoming very dry and when houses are built on clay, the clay shrinks as the ground dries up causing the building to move. Trees and large shrubs located close to homes will also draw out the water surrounding the property causing problems to the building.

The cost of repairing damage to properties falls on the insurance company and on average results in a cost of £8,000.

 

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