Cracks appearing in the home can be a worry – and the record-breaking heatwave that we experienced this summer has led to speculation that subsidence claims could increase as a result. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) points out that cracks aren’t necessarily a cause for serious concern, however.
Buildings naturally shrink and swell as temperatures change, new homes and recently built extensions often experience cracking as the structures settle under their own weight, and fine cracks are common in freshly plastered walls as they dry out, it says.
“Cracks in your home can be very worrying, but they may not be a sign of underlying problems,” says Callum Tanner, the ABI’s manager for general insurance. “It pays to know what to look out for, so you can get expert assessment as quickly as possible.”
