How can subsidence be prevented

Here are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of this happening. You should avoid planting trees too close to your property. We recommend that you plant any trees of shrubs as far away from your property as the expected height of the fully-grown plant. Removing the roots can lead to instability and water-logging, creating the ideal conditions for subsidence! Instead of removing it, make sure that the tree is regularly pruned back to prevent the roots from growing too deep or too far to cause damage.

You should speak to a tree surgeon to help you decide on the best way to do this. The ground beneath your house can become water-logged because of rain or flooding, but it can also be caused by leakage and water escape. If you think you have a subsidence problem, the first thing you should do is contact your insurer.

They will be able to advise on what to do next, but the next step will probably be to contact a chartered surveyor who will help you identify the cause. Here are some of the solutions they might suggest. You should then monitor whether the symptoms of subsidence such as cracks in the wall continue or stop. Underpinning is the most extreme and expensive course of action.

Underpinning is when you excavate the ground beneath your property and replace it with materials that are less likely to subside.

The complications associated with subsidence can bring the price of a property down by as much as 20 per cent. But remember, that saving comes with some serious risks attached. Whether you decide to risk it or not, you should always ask for as much information as possible from the estate agent and the sellers.

You could also get a speculative insurance quote to see whether there are any premiums attached to the area. Those that are happy to will probably want some kind of guarantee that they will be safe, such as evidence of corrective work. They may also use the subsidence to negotiate down the rental price of the property. Get more information on buying, selling and letting a property with subsidence. This varies from insurer to insurer, but we will cover properties with subsidence issues.

However, like any insurer, we will need all of the information relating to the problem so that we can price it into our cover.

Are you looking for more information on subsidence? Download our free infographic on buying, selling and letting a property with a history of subsidence.

A comprehensive policy such as our Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance Essential and Premier policies will cover all of the costs to repair damage caused by subsidence. Landlord FAQs Or call us on 63 43 Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.

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It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Subsidence: what is it, how do you spot it and what should you do if you have it? Our cover. Your situation. Your property. When the ground under a property moves by sinking downwards, the building foundations are put under huge stress. Fixing subsidence can be extremely costly and invasive so if you feel that your home is showing signs of subsidence, contact your insurance provider right away, to see what exactly you will be covered for.

While cracked brickwork, and doors or windows jamming, are a common sign of subsidence, it could also mean that your property is suffering from ground heave. Ground heave has the opposite effect of subsidence, as the ground will tend to heave upwards when soils particularly clay soils expand due to excess moisture.

The damage caused by ground heave can be just as detrimental to your property as subsidence but will require a different approach to managing it. Your solicitor should be able to provide you with a detailed history of the property which should highlight if the property has experienced subsidence in the past.

A detailed inspection by a reputable surveyor, should also highlight if the property is currently experiencing problems directly related to subsidence. How can I prevent subsidence? Pick trees carefully Trees might not be regarded as a vitally important feature of a home, but remember their roots go under the surface and are designed to extract moisture from the ground.

Call in a professional to cut down trees If you want to get rid of a large tree in your garden, you might be tempted to get out your tools and chop it down yourself. Share Via. Incredible deals, Great service.