Homeowners urged to look out for subsidence

Brits need to be particularly wary of any signs of subsidence appearing in their property ahead of the driest summer for eight decades, they have been warned.

Home insurance customers have been urged by M&S Money to look out for cracks appearing in plaster work and contact their provider if they are thicker than a ten pence piece.

The home insurance provider forecasts that the driest six-month period for 80 years will lead to an increase in household subsidence.

Average rainfall between January and June this year was at its lowest since 1929, according to the Met Office, which is one of the reasons households should be concerned.

M&S Head of General Insurance Andrew Ferguson advised: "Repairing the damage caused by subsidence can cost of thousands of pounds, so it's vital to know the early signs to look out for.

"The most obvious indication is cracking to the property. However, most buildings experience cracking at some time and there is no need to be alarmed by every crack that appears."

The Association of British Insurers indicates that subsidence can be caused by a number of issues, including high levels of clay in soil, trees or shrubs taking moisture from the ground, or damaged drains leaking underneath a property.

Posted by Ruth Bradshaw