How Do Surveyors Check For Subsidence? Expert Advice From Subsidence Surveyors

Noticing cracks in your home can be worrying. These signs might point to subsidence, a concern that affects property stability. Our article explains how surveyors check for this issue.

What is Subsidence?

Subsidence means the ground under a building is sinking. This can happen because of things like water loss in clay soil or tree roots taking water from the soil.

Definition and Causes

Subsidence happens when the ground under a building moves, sinks, or collapses. This can cause the structure above to move or get damaged. Sometimes, tree roots from willow, elm, ash, and oak drink up all the moisture in clay soils.

This makes the soil shrink. Buildings on this type of earth are at risk. Then comes the weather—long wet winters followed by very dry summers add to the trouble by making soils swell and then shrink again.

Changes in climate also play their part in causing instability for properties built on these vulnerable soils. Not just that; leaks from drains and gutters wash away what's holding a house up - its foundation! And if you live where it's often dry, your home might be more likely to face these issues.

Properties facing drought conditions have higher odds of suffering from subsidence due to severe soil dehydration, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The ground acts unpredictably around water - too much or not enough of both create problems for houses sitting on it.

Signs of Subsidence

If your doors or windows stick for no clear reason, or if you spot cracks in the walls, it may signal subsidence. These hints suggest something is not right below your house. Keep an eye out for such signs to protect your home and read on to learn more about dealing with them effectively.

Cracks, sticking doors/windows, wallpaper issues

Spotting signs of subsidence early can save you a lot of trouble. Look out for cracks, doors that won't close properly, and wallpaper that doesn't look right.

Cracks on both inside and outside brick walls are common signs. These aren't hairline cracks; they're usually 3mm wide or more.
You'll see diagonal cracks spreading across the wall. This pattern is a key indicator something's wrong underneath.
Some cracks get wider at the top than at the bottom. It's a tell-tale sign the ground might be moving.
Have you noticed doors and windows sticking? It's not always due to bad weather or poor fitting.
Wallpaper issues, like crinkles or ripples at the seams, suggest movement in the wall behind it.
Cracks where new building parts meet old ones could mean the foundation is shifting.
Near windows and doors, cracks appear due to stress on the structure.
After dry spells, watch out for new cracks or existing ones getting worse.
Beware of rapidly expanding cracks; they indicate quick changes below your home.

How do Surveyors Check for Subsidence?

To check for subsidence, surveyors start with a detailed look at the building. It may be mentioned in your RICS Level 2 Report or RICS Level 3 Report.

Importance of RICS Level 2 or 3 building surveys

RICS Level 2 or 3 building surveys play a big role in checking houses for problems, like subsidence. These checks help buyers know if a house has serious issues before they buy it.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) sets the standards for these surveys, although Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) also set standards. They make sure that all cracks and possible subsidence signs get reported on.

Getting one of these surveys can change how much a buyer offers for a house. If the survey finds big problems, the buyer might pay less or decide not to buy. Estate agents and solicitors often suggest getting these surveys done to avoid future trouble.

This is why understanding their value is key when buying property, dealing with loans, or sorting out insurance matters.

Subsidence investigation survey

A subsidence survey finds out why a building is sinking. Surveyors use tools and know-how to spot the problem's root cause. They look at cracks, test the soil, and check if trees or water leaks are to blame.

Next, they might take soil samples around your property. This helps them understand how solid the ground is underneath. With this information, surveyors can say if there's a risk of more damage or movement in the future.

They'll advise on fixing elements like tree roots disturbing the soil or defective pipes causing moisture build-up underground. Moving forward, let's explore how damaged drains play into subsidence problems.

Soil sampling and analysis

Soil sampling and analysis play a key role in figuring out subsidence issues. Surveyors take small parts of the ground from different places around the property. They then test these samples to find what type of soil is there and how much water it holds.

This helps them understand if the soil can support the building or if it's causing the house to sink.

Experts use special tools like drills and probes for collecting soil samples. The tests done on these samples show if roots from trees are taking all the moisture away, leading to dry, shrinking soil that can not support a house properly.

It also checks for things like whether old drains are leaking water into the ground, making it too soft. Understanding what lies beneath our feet helps solve many mysteries above.

Treatment Options for Subsidence

Fixing subsidence might mean getting rid of tree roots, fixing water pipes, or using strong supports for the house. Find out more about how these methods can help keep your home safe.

Removal of tree roots

Tree roots can be a major cause of subsidence. Removing them might be necessary to stop further damage to properties. Here's how it's done:

Surveyors first check how close trees are to the building.
They use special tools to see how deep and wide the roots go.
Experts then decide if cutting the roots will solve the problem.
If yes, they plan how to remove them with as little harm as possible.
They might suggest planting new trees, but at a safe distance from the property.
Regular pruning helps prevent future issues by keeping growth under control.
For big removals, machinery like diggers gets used to lift out large root networks.
After removal, they repair any cracks in walls or foundations caused by the roots.
They also check plumbing and drainage for leaks that roots might have caused.
Finally, surveyors advise on keeping an eye on things to catch any new signs of trouble early.

Drainage system repair

Fixing the drainage system is key to tackling subsidence. Leaking drains can wash away soil, causing the ground to sink.

Check all gutters and downpipes for blockages. Leaves and debris can block them, leading to water spillage and soil erosion.
Use a CCTV drain survey to spot any leaks or cracks in underground pipes. This method lets experts see problems without digging up your garden.
Repair any damage found during the survey. This could mean patching up small cracks or replacing whole sections of pipe.
Improve drainage around the property if needed. Sometimes, adding additional drainage paths helps prevent water from gathering near your foundations.
Regularly clean out gutters and inspect drains to stop future blockages.

Now, let's move on to underpinning for severe cases of subsidence.

Underpinning for severe cases

After sorting out the drainage system, we sometimes find that a house needs even more help. That's where underpinning comes into play for those really bad cases of subsidence. It's like giving your home a new set of stronger legs to stand on.

They dig down and put in extra support under your house to make sure it doesn't sink any further.

This process isn't just about adding more material underneath; it's about making the foundation strong again so your home can be safe and solid. Engineers and builders work together, using things like concrete and metal piles, to fix the foundations properly.

This way, they prevent future problems by ensuring the ground beneath is much more stable than before.

Expert Advice from Subsidence Surveyors

Subsidence surveyors give top tips on fixing and dealing with ground movement in homes. They support you through the insurance world, guide on repairs needed, and tell if more checks or monitoring is required.

Guidance on remedial measures

Subsidence surveyors give crucial advice on fixing foundation issues. They often suggest ways to make the ground under a house more stable. Here is a list of their guidance:

Remove big trees close to your home (subject to planning permission). Trees suck up water from the soil, which can make the ground shrink and cause subsidence.
Fix any leaking pipes or broken drainage systems. Water from leaks can wash away soil or make it swell, leading to uneven ground support.
For houses already badly affected, underpinning might be necessary. This means putting in new supports under the house to hold it up better.
Regularly check and repair any cracks in bricks or mortar. Small fixes early on can prevent bigger problems later.
Repointing brickwork helps keep moisture out and maintains the strength of walls.
Ensure gutters and downpipes are clear so that water flows away correctly, not spilling over and soaking into foundations.
Look into potential insurance claims for subsidence damage with help from valuation experts who understand insurers' requirements.
Follow guidance from professional bodies like the Engineering Council on maintaining your property's structure effectively.
Consider advice from construction experts on how changing your property's layout might affect its stability.
If necessary, get a conveyancing solicitor as regulated by solicitors regulation authority guidelines to ensure accurate advice is given every time and to deal with any legal aspects related to subsidence issues before buying or selling a house.

These steps, recommended by surveyors, focus on both stopping subsidence before it gets worse and fixing existing damage safely and thoroughly.

Insurance claiming process

Surveyors play a key role in helping with the for subsidence. They gather evidence and write detailed reports. This helps to show insurance companies the true extent of damage or risk.

The aim is to ensure coverage for both fixing the problem and any loss in property value. Often, this involves detailed analysis of the building and soil.

The surveyor's report becomes an essential document. It supports claims to make sure repairs are done right, without out-of-pocket costs to you. Our goal is simple – to make sure your claim is substantiated.

Next, let's talk about how expert advice can guide you through what comes after filing your claim.

Further investigations or monitoring

Experts might need to monitor the property over time. They use tools to measure if the ground moves further. They check if trees, a nearby water source (e.g. pond), or something else is making matters worse. If needed, surveyors might set up tell-tale markers around your home to see any shifts in the ground or structure. This determines whether the movement has settled or if it is progressive.

Subsidence Surveyor Near Me

‍Subsidence often occurs during summer time and so, if you suspect that this is occurring, please contact us today so that we can arrange a subsidence surveyor for you. Our panel of surveyors operate in major cities like Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and London – plus many more across the UK – and so they are well placed to assist you wherever you are. The team of experts can offer advice on buy-to-let properties, guide through the insurance claiming process, and suggest further investigations or monitoring.