Dry winter creates subsidence threat to UK homes

4th April, 2006

Home insurance groups and the Environment Agency have predicted that homeowners will face an increased risk of subsidence this year.

After a long, cold and dry winter – the most rain free since 1964 – with water shortages on the horizon, housing experts say the conditions are set for the return of one of the most notorious blights on property.

Subsidence is caused by the drying up of the soil around a building's foundations, rendering a house unstable, and the collective cost of claims ran up to £139 million after a similarly dry winter in 2004-05.

With typical costs for the condition falling between £5,000 and £10,000, Neil Curling of Halifax Home Insurance said it is essential that residents start taking action, looking for cracks in the corners of doors, windows and ceilings.

'Many cracks are innocent, but if they're wider at the top than the bottom, you may have a problem', he commented. 'Doors and windows becoming difficult to open or shut because they're sticking is another indication.'

Homeowners faced with the threat of subsidence could look online for the best home insurance packages.

 

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