Summer heatwave can cause subsidence

8th July, 2009

The risk of subsidence to homes across the UK greatly increases when a heat wave, such as the one we have seen recently, occurs. Home owners are being asked to take a look at their existing level of cover and make sure their buildings insurance cover includes provisions for subsidence.

The soaring temperatures affect areas where there is a density of clay in the soil. The list of at risk areas are predominantly in the south and include London, Colchester, Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, Southend-on-Sea and Peterborough.

One of the main reasons for subsidence is due to clay soil contracting, from water retention after downpours, this causes the soil to pull at the foundations of the building which then causes deflection and this can trigger structural damage. Added to this, different types of clay soil will swell and then shrink at different rates.

The average cost of repairs to houses built before 1965 that suffer subsidence is £7,500. During 2009 there were almost 28,000 claims with a total of £137 million.

 

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