Settlement usually occurs in new or relatively new buildings. They are very heavy and cause the ground to compact, but this normally stops after a short while. Subsidence on the other hand is far more serious and occurs when the ground beneath the building is unable to support it.
Subsidence is one of the most serious problems a property can suffer, potentially affecting not only your home's structural safety, but also its resale value. If you think you've spotted the signs of subsidence in (or outside) your home, don't worry.
As it is, subsidence problems can force down the selling price of a house by up to 20 per cent. As the housing market softens, this situation can only get worse. Mortgage lenders will not touch properties that are uninsurable, which means the only potential purchasers are cash buyers who demand a sizeable discount.
The insurance company will arrange for a surveyor to inspect your home and confirm if it is subsidence. It may be that the surveyor decides your home needs to be monitored before they can determine whether the ground is sinking. This can take up to 12 months.
The good news is that, although subsidence can certainly be a serious problem, it need not be an out-and-out deal-breaker. Properties with a history of subsidence are probably more likely to go to cash buyers than buyers with a mortgage as some lenders can get twitchy, but they change hands on a regular basis.”
If you think you've spotted the signs of
subsidence in (or outside) your home, don't
worry.
If a crack is caused by subsidence, it will be:
- Thicker than a 10p coin (more than 3mm)
- Diagonal, and wider at the top than the bottom.
- Visible internally and externally.
- Found close to doors and windows.
Cracks caused by subsidence are normally of a diagonal nature and will suddenly appear in plaster work inside the building and on brickwork outside. They will usually be thicker than fine hairline cracks, which may be caused by natural movement of a structure, and tend to be wider at the top.
Subsidence is one of the most serious problems a property can suffer, potentially affecting not only your home's structural safety, but also its resale value. If you think you've spotted the signs of subsidence in (or outside) your home, don't worry.
Signs of mine subsidence
“It can be very subtle and you might not notice, but over time you might see cracks in the walls or the pavement or your foundations or sidewalks pulled apart,'' she said.Cracks can appear between
the ceiling and wall or around doors and windows.
The main time you need to worry about cracks is:
- They appear.
- You fill or plaster over them.
- They come back.
Study the direction of the crack to determine its seriousness. Vertical and diagonal cracks in concrete walls typically indicate foundation movement. If a vertical crack widens at the top or bottom, the wall is either settling or gradually heaving, which may present serious issues.
While the tree is growing the surrounding soil is dried out but when the tree is removed the moisture content builds up, causing the ground to swell. The process can take many years but the damage caused by heave is, in most cases, much more severe than that caused by subsidence.
Most household insurance policies, and some commercial property insurance policies, cover loss or damage caused by subsidence, heave and landslip. They usually cover the cost of repairing the loss or damage and not the cost of preventing further subsidence.
Can it be cured? In many cases subsidence damage can be repaired relatively easily and effectively and without foundation work. This is usually after the cause has been addressed which will typically involve some tree work or repair of a leaking service pipe.
Canals are particularly sensitive because subsidence affects the gradient that moves water by gravity in much of the system. When one part of a canal subsides, it reduces (or destroys) the conveyance capacity for all downstream parts of that canal. This makes downstream farmers even more dependent on groundwater.
This will begin with a visual inspection to look at cracks in the walls, sticking doors and windows and other obvious signs of subsidence. An expert surveyor will be able to determine whether these are signs of a serious problem or simply the result of normal property movement.
If you think you may have subsidence, the first step is to contact your buildings insurer. The sooner it is picked up the easier it will be to deal with. The insurance company will arrange for a surveyor to inspect your home and confirm if it is subsidence.
Foundation Cracks
One of the most obvious signs that you've got a problem with foundation sinking or settling is finding noticeable cracks in your foundation walls. However, not all foundation wall cracks are bad – some are, in fact, normal.Other signs of subsidence include doors and windows that can be difficult to open and close. If you had left the subsidence untreated, the only option for selling your home would be to a cash buyer, such as a property developer. Because you've had it remedied, you should be able to sell on the open market.
Subsidence and mortgage lending
Most mainstream lenders will accept properties that have had subsidence that has been properly resolved, particularly if no further movement has been seen for 10+ years, so in this situation, you shouldn't have to seek out special mortgage lenders for subsidence property.
