House subsidence is an increasingly prevalent issue that can worsen over time, leading to serious risks for homeowners. Despite its frequency, many are unaware of the causes of house subsidence, with tree roots often being an overlooked contributing factor. Tree-related subsidence is a long-recognised problem, and understanding it can help homeowners take steps to reduce their risk. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about house subsidence, explain why tree roots can contribute to it, highlight common signs to look out for and offer guidance on how to monitor and reduce the risk of damage.
How Can Tree Roots Cause Subsidence Issues?
When trees grow near a property, their roots naturally extend into the soil to seek out water and nutrients, which can disturb the soil beneath a foundation. In dry periods, these roots draw moisture from the surrounding soil, causing it to shrink and contract, which destabilises the ground under the foundation.
This shrinking and drying can lead to structural settling and sinking, known as subsidence, creating the potential for serious damage to walls, floors, and other structural elements of a home. By understanding house subsidence, you’ll understand what steps to take if you notice any common signs.
Common Signs of House Subsidence
Knowing the signs of house subsidence early can make a big difference in preventing severe damage and high repair costs. Below we explore some common signs of subsidence to help you spot potential issues before they escalate.
– Cracks in Walls
Cracks in the interior or exterior walls are one of the most common signs of subsidence. These cracks often appear around doors, windows, or wall joints and may start small, gradually widening over time. Cracks caused by subsidence tend to be diagonal, and they are often wider at the top than at the bottom. While small cracks are common in homes, if you notice significant widening or an increase in the number of cracks, it may suggest a more serious subsidence problem.
– Sloping or Uneven Floors
Subsidence can lead to floors becoming uneven or starting to slope as the foundation beneath a building shifts and settles. When the ground sinks, sections of the flooring may dip or rise, creating noticeable unevenness. This can cause furniture to sit at an angle, and doors may no longer close properly due to the tilt. Floors should remain level, so if you notice any sloping, it could be a sign that subsidence is impacting the structural integrity of your property.
– Sticking Doors and Windows
When doors and windows begin to stick or are difficult to open and close. Subsidence can cause the frames to shift out of alignment as the property settles unevenly. This misalignment leads to friction and jamming, making it hard to use doors and windows as usual. If you notice that multiple doors or windows are sticking, especially in conjunction with other signs, it could suggest that the foundation is shifting due to subsidence.
How Proximity to Trees Relates to Home Subsidence
The proximity of trees to your property can significantly increase the risk of home subsidence. Trees with deep or expansive root systems, such as willows, poplars, and oaks, are especially likely to cause soil shrinkage and movement in clay-heavy soils. As these roots draw moisture from the soil, the ground can become dry and unstable, raising the chances of subsidence.
Property owners with these types of trees nearby should monitor soil conditions regularly and stay mindful of the trees’ growth patterns and potential impact to prevent home subsidence.
Monitor Cracks in Walls
Keeping an eye on cracks in walls is one of the most effective ways to monitor potential home subsidence. Track any cracks you might notice in walls around doors, windows and corners by marking them with a pencil, and check them regularly. If they continue to grow in length or width, it may signal that subsidence is affecting the foundation.
Check for Roots Near Your House
Inspecting the area around your home can help you spot potentially disruptive tree roots. Look for visible root growth near the structure and check for any cracks in the ground or pathways, which could indicate roots expanding beneath the surface. If you find large roots close to the foundation, it’s wise to assess how they might be impacting the soil stability around your property.
Observe Uneven Flooring or Sloping
Regularly checking for uneven or sloping floors is another way to monitor home subsidence risk. Walk through each room to spot any sloping or dipping areas, and use a small ball to see if it rolls in one direction, indicating foundation movement. Uneven floors can be an early sign of soil shifting that may need closer inspection.
How Can You Fix House Subsidence, and How Much Will It Cost?
When it comes to fixing house subsidence, resin injections are often the best solution due to their minimally invasive and highly effective properties. Costs for resin injections vary depending on the provider and the extent of the damage, so it’s advisable to get an estimate tailored to your property’s unique needs.
We provide a home subsidence cost calculator, which allows you to receive an initial estimate of your subsidence repair costs. Simply identify the areas where subsidence is present, measure the affected sections, and enter these details into our calculator. Contact us at 0333 1300 592 to receive an accurate quote for the costs of your subsidence repairs, tailored to your property’s specific needs.
Contact Subsidence Ltd | UK Subsidence Experts
At Subsidence Ltd, we specialise in resolving subsidence issues to restore stability to your property using advanced resin injection techniques.
Services are available to homeowners and property owners across the UK, ensuring your property remains structurally sound and free from subsidence. A resin injection addresses a wide range of subsidence issues, including those caused by tree roots, providing a durable, long-term fix for complex subsidence problems.
We offer competitive, cost-effective pricing while maintaining an exceptionally high standard of professionalism and quality in every project. To learn more about our subsidence solutions or to receive a free quote for resin injections to address tree root-related subsidence, contact us today.
UK Postcode Subsidence Checker
You can also use our online UK postcode checker to see if your area is prone to subsidence.

CEO of Subsidence Ltd