If you have noticed cracking in your property don’t ignore it.
The key thing to do is take action straight away to avoid the problem getting worse over time. With the warm dry weather we are experiencing over the coming weeks crack damage and movement are more likely to occur, old cracks may begin to get worse or new cracks may appear.
What is subsidence?
Subsidence occurs when differential movement in the ground causes movement of a building foundations. The damage often appears as cracks in the walls and ceilings internally and externally of a building.
Subsidence most commonly occurs when clay soil under the foundations dries up and shrinks. This can be caused by a number of things, but frequently due to moisture extraction by the roots of nearby trees during spells of dry warm weather.
How does the rising temperatures effect subsidence?
With rising temperatures we are experiencing over the next coming weeks, it is known that this can be problematic for some properties, increasing the risk of subsidence which can result in further or new damage.
As the weather gets warmer, soil shrinkage occurs which is one of the most common causes of subsidence. Due to the lack of rain fall, shrinkage of clay soils takes place. As a result, the properties foundations become unstable and begin to show signs of movement via crack damage or sinking.
How can EAP Help?
For over 30 years our highly experienced team at EAP have investigated building failure associated with subsidence and prepared the appropriate remedial design for the repairs. EAP are also F.C.A regulated and registered in the handling of insurance claims and, as a result, we are able to deal with the negotiation of any associated insurance claims on your behalf.
In the first instance, we carry out an inspection of the building, record the damage and prepare a report on the findings and potential cause. If the engineer suspects subsidence is the cause of the damage he will suggest further investigations to determine the cause of the damage.
The investigations carried out consist where appropriate of trial pits to research the buildings foundation, boreholes to obtain details of soil at depth, laboratory testing of soil samples and monitoring of the building over a period of time.
Once the investigations have been completed and the cause of the damage has been established as subsidence, this is when we would recommend contacting your insurance company. We can deal with this on your behalf and would be able to assist with the negotiation and handling of the claim. Subsidence and heave are perils generally covered by a domestic building insurance policy. It is not uncommon for a policy excess to apply for a claim for these perils.
As well as this, EAP would be able to advise and prepare a remedial scheme to repair the crack damage.
So, if you have noticed cracking in your property don’t ignore it.
Contact us today and see how EAP can assist you!
Give us a call at out Colchester (01206 768556) or Cambridge (01223 653065) offices or email us at admin@eapcc.co.uk.