Property slowdown could leave subsidence time bomb ticking

Homeowners in clay soil areas who put a house move on hold during 2009 because of financial worries or the property market slowdown could find their houses moving in other ways during the next 12 months, warns esure home insurance.

With subsidence claims hitting peaks every six years since 1991 this year could once again see foundations drying out and shifting - particularly with the temperatures for 2009 already being higher than the average temperature anomalies over the last 30 years.

Combined with the recent slow down in structural surveys undertaken as part of house sales and purchases - which often reveal the first clues to the early stages of subsidence - this could spell problems for thousands of homeowners.

Although subsidence indicators found during a property sale can be dealbreakers for purchasers they do enable homeowners and insurers to address underlying issues with remedial action. Pollarding, tree felling or piling can then be employed to target problems before they become too advanced and ‘blight' properties.

If left undiagnosed these issues can cause vendors to suffer a much greater long term financial penalty.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting for esure, said: "Discovering that your foundations are moving when you're looking to sell your house can be a huge blow for homeowners but an early diagnosis can be a blessing in disguise. By picking up problems early, the worst damage can often be avoided and enable vendors to maintain a higher value for their property.

"Unfortunately, with the housing market slowdown there may be thousands of people entering a potential subsidence hot-spot summer who won't have the benefit of a surveyor's opinion. The rule for anyone in a clay soil area this summer is keep your eyes open for any cracks that appear or change for the next 18 months. Ignoring warning signs is the most expensive mistake you can make."

To minimise the risks of subsidence, esure home insurance advises homeowners to be aware of the following:

If a series of small cracks suddenly appear in plasterwork at weak points around doors and windows, especially after long periods of dry weather, contact your buildings insurer immediately. Any cracks that are the thickness of a 10p coin and wider at the top than at the bottom should be checked out immediately by an expert. It may be a harmless crack but it could be evidence of structural movement, so the quicker it is identified the better.

Trees take moisture out of the soil so can increase the risk of subsidence damage if they are planted too close to your home. Plant trees or large bushes a distance away from any buildings - use the distance recommended in planting guides.

In the same way, removing mature trees can have the opposite effect and increase the risk of heave. Consult a specialist if you're considering cutting down or felling trees, especially in clay soil areas.

Certain types of soil, like clay, are more likely to shrink during long periods of hot, dry weather - so if you live in a clay area, be extra vigilant.

Clear gutters regularly of leaves, dirt or rubbish and clear blocked drains immediately. Damaged drains can wash away the soil beneath the foundations.

Always have a full structural survey carried out when you buy a home. It should identify any historical or potential problems.