Subsidence Cracks Midlands and East Anglia

When purchasing a property, there are many factors to consider. But one that often gets overlooked is subsidence. If you spot any signs of cracks, sloping floors or jamming doors and windows, or discover that subsidence is an issue in the area, it’s worth remembering that this level of structural damage can affect the property’s value.

It’s been well reported that properties in the following Midlands and East Anglia postcodes have suffered from subsidence, LE14, LE16, LE3, LE9, LN4, LU5, NG16, NG2, NG23, NG31, NG32, NG5, NG9, NN7, NR11, NR13, NR14, NR2, NR21, NR32, NR33, NR5, NR7, PE12, PE14, PE2, PE26, PE28, PE29, PE9, B27, B43, B68, B77, B91, B93, B98.

If you think your home may be at risk of subsidence, contact us ASAP. Call us on 0333 1300592 or fill out our simple subsidence enquiry form here.

How long does Subsidence Repair Take?

Top Subsidence Facts and Fixing The Cracks

When purchasing a property, there are many factors to consider. But one that often gets overlooked is subsidence. If you spot any signs of cracks, sloping floors or jamming doors and windows, or discover that subsidence is an issue in the area, it’s worth remembering that this level of structural damage can affect the property’s value.

How Common Is Subsidence in the Midlands?

While subsidence may seem like a rare occurrence, you may be surprised to learn it’s actually quite a common issue. According to industry statistics, more than 5.76 million properties in Great Britain are exposed to medium or high subsidence risk. Therefore when buying or selling a property, you should always be sure to look out for any potential signs of subsidence.

Your Geographical Area Plays a Significant Role

Not only is subsidence a common issue, but your location can also determine how likely it is your property will be affected. The probability of experiencing subsidence on your property rises considerably if it was built on clay soil or in areas with a history of mining activities. Therefore, those most vulnerable are located in certain parts of the UK, such as London, Midlands and the South East. That’s why we recommend undergoing geographical research before buying a property.

Postcode Hotspots for Subsidence UK

If you think you may live in a subsidence hotspot, get in touch. We have a comprehensive list of the most affected areas including South London, East London, West London and City as well as the Midlands and East Anglia.  This is especially important if you’ve noticed any signs of subsidence such as cracks in the walls and sinking floors.

Seasonal Fluctuations Can Trigger Subsidence.

Alongside the fact that your location plays a key role in subsidence risk, as does the climate. Hot temperatures can significantly heighten the chances of subsidence damage. The soil below the property’s foundations experiences a cycle of drying and wetting, especially during the Summer months. This expands and contracts the soil, leading to instability.

Tree Roots Can Cause Sinkage

Another critical point to make when we look into the causes of subsidence is the proximity and type of vegetation around a property. In fact, certain types of trees, such as willows, have water-seeking roots that can cause all surrounding soil to dry out. Because of this, it causes a shift in a property’s foundations, causing them to sink into the earth, resulting in the onset of subsidence.

Early Signs Are Often Overlooked

When identifying subsidence, more often than not, the earliest signs, such as small cracks near doors and windows, are not taken seriously. This is because they can easily be mistaken for a property’s natural ageing and settling, but that isn’t always the case. Our experts recommend an intervention at the earliest point as the earlier subsidence is caught, the easier and less expensive it is to treat.

Not All Insurance Policies Cover Subsidence

Whether on your residential or commercial property, if you spot any possible signs of subsidence, it is important that you check with your insurance provider whether or not such a situation is covered. Standard home insurance policies do not always cover subsidence; therefore, studying the fine print or consulting with your provider is crucial before addressing the issue. It is also worth considering this when you are purchasing a property in an area that is at high risk for subsidence. It may be worth looking for a provider that offers this coverage to safeguard yourself in the future.

Modern Subsidence Treatment Methods Are Highly Effective.

Historically, the only solution to subsidence was the disruptive and costly process of underpinning. At Subsidence, we pride ourselves on using a much more modern approach to subsidence repair work. By utilising innovative resin injections, we offer a less invasive and faster method that is still highly effective in stabilising a property’s foundations.

Using our revolutionary material, we insert it into the soil as a liquid before it expands underground. This fills all cracks and gaps while forcing out any water and compacting the ground to strengthen it, creating a stable base for your property.

Once treated, the signs of subsidence can be fixed

It is relatively easy to remedy any signs of subsidence once we’ve treated the cause. Please note prior to starting any work, you should repair any cracks and clean the treated area with warm, soapy water to ensure the best possible results.

A Fresh Lick of Paint – a paint job is one of the easiest and most effective ways to hide minor cracks and imperfections. By using elastic-based paint, you’ll also allow for slight movement without further cracking in future. To distract away from minor cracks, even more so, try a faux finish such as sponge painting to add texture. This method is particularly helpful when you’ve only seen small cracks in your property.
Wallpaper – if you are hoping to repair your property damage yourself without the need for a plasterer but struggle to get a clean, smooth finish, by using wallpaper to cover up any signs of old cracks, you can conceal minor flaws or rough surfaces instantly. If you opt for textured wallpaper, it will be even less noticeable. However, please note that with a wallpaper job, it’ll be more challenging to monitor the area for any new signs of subsidence in future.

Fix Your Flooring – uneven flooring is another common sign of subsidence, and once you’ve had your home’s foundations reinforced, it may be worth considering how you want to level out your floors. In some cases, you may have had issues with floorboards coming away from the walls or separating from each other. If you have a carpeted home, it may be simpler to repair. If you are unsure of how to proceed or whether you will need it to be professionally levelled, our team will be able to give you some advice.

Other Minor Repairs – in some homes, when subsidence is an issue, the skirting boards can lift away from the walls or floor. There can also be problems with tiles no longer sitting straight or plug sockets looking uneven. These are often little details that can be overlooked. Once your home has been treated, you should be able to take action, like securing the skirting boards back into place and instantly improve your home aesthetic.

Whether you paint, wallpaper, or simply move around your furniture to hide the treated areas, we ask that you continuously monitor the previously subsided areas, as well as any other areas where subsidence signs often appear, for example, door and window frames. As your property has suffered from this condition already, other high-risk areas could exist. We will identify these areas during your consultation period and treat them if required, but we still ask that you undergo regular inspections to safeguard your home.

Subsidence Repair Midlands and East Anglia Postcodes

Subsidence postcode checker UK

Visit our subsidence postcode checker page to see how prone your area is to subsidence.

Get in touch today for a free evaluation and quote, totally free from obligation. Call us on 0333 1300592 or fill out our short enquiry form. 

Matthew OSullivan

CEO of Subsidence Ltd