British winter weather, particularly the combination of heavy rain and colder temperatures, can contribute to subsidence issues in homes. These unpredictable weather conditions, which are becoming increasingly common in the UK, can result in subsidence that causes structural damage, safety risks, and can lead to expensive repairs. It’s important to understand the connection between winter weather and subsidence issues, as well as to recognise the signs that may indicate subsidence is present in your home. In this post, we will explain how winter weather can lead to subsidence problems and explore the key signs to watch for that suggest weather-related subsidence may be affecting your property.
How Rain and Cold Weather Can Affect House Foundations
Rain and cold weather, which are very common in the UK, can significantly contribute to subsidence and problems with house foundations. During the winter months, heavy rainfall is typical in the UK, and this can saturate the soil, causing it to shift and expand. This excess moisture can weaken the stability of your property’s foundations. Additionally, as the ground dries or freezes in colder weather, it contracts.
These fluctuations in moisture levels and temperature can cause the ground to move beneath the foundations, leading to subsidence. Over time, this movement can result in structural damage, such as cracks in walls, which can affect the overall stability and safety of a home. This damage can worsen over time if the subsidence issue is not addressed. Therefore, it is essential for homeowners to monitor the effects of wet and cold weather can have on a property to ensure that house subsidence is not present.
Some parts of the UK are more susceptible to subsidence than others. Check your postcode now, and get in touch with us if you have any questions.
What are the Common Signs of Subsidence?
Although it can be challenging to spot subsidence in a home during the winter months, there are some common signs to watch for. Identifying these signs early and seeking professional help is crucial, as it can prevent subsidence from worsening, leading to more safety risks, additional damage, and costly repairs. Below are some of the most common signs that you may have subsidence in your home:
Cracks in Walls
Cracks in your home’s walls, particularly those that appear suddenly or widen over time, are a common sign of subsidence. When the ground shifts due to excess moisture from heavy rain or freezing temperatures, the foundation may settle unevenly. This movement can cause cracks to appear in your walls, as the structure of the home no longer remains properly aligned with the foundation. These cracks often appear around windows, doors, and corners, and may become more noticeable after periods of heavy rainfall or freezing weather. If you spot cracks in walls, it is essential to investigate the cause, as this could indicate the presence of subsidence.
Sinking Foundations
Sinking foundations, often caused by the movement of the soil beneath a property. In winter, when rain saturates the ground and freezing temperatures cause the soil to expand and contract, it can weaken the foundation’s support. As the ground shifts, the foundations may begin to sink or tilt, which can lead to structural instability. Over time, this sinking can result in significant damage to your home’s overall stability. If you notice unevenness or shifting in your foundation, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage.
Uneven or Sloping Floors
Uneven or sloping floors are a result of house subsidence because shifting soil affects the level of the foundation. When the ground beneath the home shifts due to the expansion and contraction of wet or frozen soil, it can cause the floors to become uneven. This movement, especially during wet and cold conditions, causes parts of the house to sink or shift, resulting in noticeable sloping floors. You may experience difficulty walking on floors that seem uneven or feel that some areas have noticeable dips and angles.
While these are just a few of the most common signs that you might have subsidence in your home, there are also other signs to watch for. You can learn more about these signs by reading our blog on how to spot subsidence in your home. It’s important to stay vigilant and monitor your property for these changes, as early detection can prevent more serious and costly damage.
If you suspect that you have any of these subsidence issues, it’s important to act quickly and contact specialists like Subsidence Ltd. We can effectively address subsidence problems, ensuring your home doesn’t continue to suffer from the effects of subsidence. Taking prompt action can prevent further damage caused by house subsidence, and save you from costly repairs down the line.
Find Out More – Contact Subsidence Ltd
If your home has been affected by the wet and cold weather, leading to subsidence issues, you can trust Subsidence Ltd to help. We specialise in house subsidence repairs, assisting homeowners across the UK with our cutting-edge resin solution that quickly resolves subsidence problems. We can raise, re-level, and re-support your property in as little as a day, addressing all kinds of house subsidence issues, from cracks in walls and sinking foundations to uneven or sloping floors.
With over 2,000 house subsidence jobs completed and more than 16 years of experience, you can rely on our experts to resolve your subsidence problems efficiently and effectively, all at an affordable price. To receive a free quote for subsidence repairs, contact us today. Just fill out our online quote form, and we’ll get in touch with you shortly, or you can call us on 0333 1300 592 to speak directly with a member of our team. Ensure your winter weather induced subsidence is sorted quickly by working with Subsidence Ltd.