They may not always be an obvious sign of a serious problem, but cracks appearing in your walls can sometimes lead to serious issues.
Buildings naturally shrink and swell as temperatures change, and so the recent record-breaking heatwave we saw over the summer has had people worrying about what it may have done to their homes.
It's also led to speculation that we could see an increase of subsidence claims, which is a severe problem caused by the ground underneath your property sinking.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said that 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.
You can check these cracks if you have a spare 10p handy, as generally any cracks wider than this is a cause for concern.
Callum Tanner, ABI's manager for general insurance, has said that although cracks can sometimes be harmless, we should all be vigilant.
He said: "Cracks in your home can be very worrying, but they may not be a sign of underlying problems. It pays to know what to look out for, so you can get expert assessment as quickly as possible."
What causes subsidence?
Subsidence happens when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the property’s foundations down with it.
Prolonged dry spells can cause this, as well as trees and shrubs taking up lots of water from the soil - particularly if they are situated close to a home’s foundations.
The ABI says the type of soil can also be a factor. For example, clay soils can shrink and crack during hot, dry weather, depending on the water content. If the soil is sandy or gravelly, then it could be particularly vulnerable to being washed away when drains and water mains leak. Old mines, quarries or pit sites may also be a factor behind instability.
The ABI also says that less common factors that cause subsidence are heave and landslip. Heave happens when the ground supporting the building moves upwards and landslip happens when ground moves down an incline or slope.
When should I be concerned?
We've probably all noticed a crack in our walls here and there. But the ABI says that if they're more than 10mm wide, they could be a problem.
To check, you can use a 10p coin to measure the width of them. Other signs that there may be a more serious problem could include a diagonal crack being wider at the top than the bottom, and being visible from the outside as well as inside the home.
Doors and windows sticking for no obvious reason and wallpaper crinkling or ripping when there is no damp could also ring alarm bells.
What if I need to make a claim?
Tanner says: "Home insurance policies cover subsidence, heave, and landslip as standard, so if you are concerned speak to your insurer who can advise you what to do."
According to the ABI, if you suspect a problem, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will advise on the next steps to be taken.
Where appropriate, specialists will be appointed to investigate the cause of the damage and to arrange for any repairs. It may be necessary to monitor the property for any movement to find the underlying cause, so the right repair work can be done.
Usually, policies may mean you need to pay the first £1,000 of a subsidence claim (the excess). If you have had subsidence previously, then the excess could be higher. Movement to driveways, patios or garden walls which doesn’t also damage the house or outbuildings may be excluded, so if you aren’t sure, check your policy or speak to your insurer.
If subsidence damage means your home becomes uninhabitable, your insurer may arrange and pay for the cost of temporary alternative accommodation.
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