Property subsidence is when the ground underneath a building begins to collapse, causing one side of it to sink. The ground and foundations beneath the property begin to move downwards and can no longer support the weight of the property.
It can result in damage to the structural integrity and foundations of a property.
It’s important to note that if this occurs on your property, you will need to treat and fix it to avoid any further damage occurring.
What are the signs of subsidence?
There are a number of different signs that show that a property is experiencing subsidence, these signs include:
Cracks in the walls
Cracks in the walls of your house can be a sign of subsidence. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all cracks in a house are a result of subsidence. Sometimes small cracks can appear when the foundations of a new house settle.
When looking for a sign of subsidence, it’s the larger cracks that you need to watch out for. Large cracks coming from windows, doorways or corners are the most common sign of subsidence and these types of cracks could mean that the foundation of your property is beginning to sink.
Also, a key tip is that cracks that are caused by subsidence, are usually as wide as a 10c coin or large enough to fit your little finger into.
Windows and doors that are difficult to open or close
If your windows or doors are becoming difficult to open or close they could be misaligned or warped as a result of the ground settling beneath your property. If this is the case, once you solve the subsidence issues in your property, a carpenter can take a look at your windows and doors to advise on the best way to fix them.
Sinking or sloping floors
Sinking or sloping floors can be a sign that the ground under your property is collapsing. Sinking or sloping floors can be discovered if your furniture looks misaligned or unlevel.
Gaps between your skirting board and floor
Skirting boards that are rising or separating from the wall or floor can suggest subsidence. Be sure to monitor whether a visible gap appears between your wall or floor and the skirting boards.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper creasing or gathering where the wall joins with the ceiling is another sign to watch out for.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact a professional to seek advice on the issue immediately. It’s best to fix these issues as soon as possible to avoid any further, or more extensive, damage.
What causes subsidence?
A number of different factors can cause subsidence. Every case is unique as it could be caused by one single factor or a number of different factors combined.
We will discuss a number of different causes of subsidence below:
Clay soil
Clay soil is susceptible to shrinking, cracking and shifting when the weather is warm. When the clay soil shrinks it pulls the property’s foundation which can cause your foundations to weaken and sink. This leads to structural movement.
Drought-prone areas
Areas that are prone to drought are at risk of subsidence because the ground will be dry and therefore it will be more likely to crack and shift.
Damp ground or leaking drains and pipes
The ground surrounding your house can become damp through a leaking drain or pipe and this can cause issues because if the ground is too damp it could compress and sink beneath the weight of your property, causing the foundations of your house to subside.
A leaking pipe could also wash away and soften the soil in your foundations. So if you ever suspect you have a leaking pipe, be sure to address it as soon as possible.
Large trees and roots of trees
The roots of large trees in your garden can grow beneath your property and cause issues by cracking the foundations. So it’s important to ensure you are planting trees at a large enough distance away from your house to ensure the roots won’t damage the foundations of your property.
Also, if you have lots of trees or bushes planted close to your home, the roots can dry out the ground as they absorb a lot of water. If the ground around your house is too dry it can cause cracking and weakening in the foundations of your house.
The weather
Changing weather patterns can make the soil beneath your property unstable. If there is a long period of wet weather the soil will expand and then if there’s a long spell of dry weather the soil can contract and crack. These fluctuations can cause unstable foundations for your house.
How to fix subsidence
The first thing you should do when you suspect that there’s subsidence on your property is contact your insurer. They will arrange for a chartered surveyor to carry out a survey of your property to fully assess its’ structure. If subsidence is identified there are a number of ways to address it through foundation repairs or structural reinforcement. Here are some examples of ways you can fix different subsidence issues:
Concrete underpinning
Underpinning your property requires raising, re-levelling and re-supporting the building by adding an extra foundation layer beneath the house. This will strengthen the overall foundation of the house and ensure it is stable. It’s a costly and timely process and one that may require you to move out of the house while the work is being carried out.
Resin injections
Another solution is to inject a resin polymer into the ground through small holes. The resin polymer will then expand into the soil and fill in any gaps, helping to stabilize the soil. It will also strengthen and re-level the foundations and building, helping to prevent further sinking or settling of the ground beneath your property. This solution can be completed in a couple of hours so it doesn’t require you to move out of the house while it’s being carried out.
Tree removal
If the cause for subsidence on your property is due to large tree roots, you will need to remove trees and bushes that are planted near your property. A tree surgeon will be able to assess what the best solution for you is.
Also, it’s important that you both, monitor where you are planting new trees or bushes and, ensure that your plants and trees are pruned regularly.
Pipework
If the issues on your property were caused by leaking drains you would need to repair the drains and pipes and continually ensure that the gutters on your house are cleaned and maintained to prevent future leaks.
Repair cracks
If cracks occurred in your property as a result of subsidence issues, they will need to be fixed. Depending on whether they are small or large cracks, you will either need to, respectively, fill and paint over the cracks or repoint and repair your walls with metal fixings.
Your surveyor can give you advice on which solution is the best to fix the cause of your property subsidence issues. They can advise you on which option will be the most effective to stabilise and strengthen the foundations of your house.
Insurance for property subsidence
Wondering if subsidence is covered by insurance? If your home insurance policy is with AXA, we may exclude subsidence cover depending on the location of your property. Your insurance policy will cover you for the loss or damage to your property as a result of subsidence on the site on which your property stands. Please note that subsidence claims have an excess of €5,000.
It’s important to read your policy documents to ensure that cover for subsidence is included in your insurance package. If you have any questions regarding your cover, please contact the AXA team.
