Georgian House - Subsidence?
Discussion
My parents house is Georgian, built on clay soil
These cracks have recently appeared and a couple of doors are sticking due to movement in the frames
The house is built on large rocks, there is no concrete foundation
The external walls show slight historic movement
It's worse in one corner but is visible on two walls of the house - at worse 2mm crack but mostly hairline
Is this within the realms of 'its a dry summer, old houses move' or should they contact their insurers ?
These cracks have recently appeared and a couple of doors are sticking due to movement in the frames
The house is built on large rocks, there is no concrete foundation
The external walls show slight historic movement
It's worse in one corner but is visible on two walls of the house - at worse 2mm crack but mostly hairline
Is this within the realms of 'its a dry summer, old houses move' or should they contact their insurers ?
The rock foundation will still be affected by surrounding soil dehydration as the forces work themselves down and outwards from the house foundations.
At a recent survey, our surveyor mentioned only to be concerned about cracks that were physically large enough to put your fingers in as a rule of thumb, so it depends on the rate of expansion of those in your photos and how big they get.
Are there any external signs of cracking at all?
At a recent survey, our surveyor mentioned only to be concerned about cracks that were physically large enough to put your fingers in as a rule of thumb, so it depends on the rate of expansion of those in your photos and how big they get.
Are there any external signs of cracking at all?
The rock foundation will still be affected by surrounding soil dehydration as the forces work themselves down and outwards from the house foundations.
At a recent survey, our surveyor mentioned only to be concerned about cracks that were physically large enough to put your fingers in as a rule of thumb, so it depends on the rate of expansion of those in your photos and how big they get.
Are there any external signs of cracking at all?
At a recent survey, our surveyor mentioned only to be concerned about cracks that were physically large enough to put your fingers in as a rule of thumb, so it depends on the rate of expansion of those in your photos and how big they get.
Are there any external signs of cracking at all?
No horrific cracks, signs of a few lime mortar joints pointed up in the distant past
A couple of new 3-4mm cracks following the mortar joints
There are various mature trees 10m away but less than there were, two were cut down 2 years ago
A old local guy suggested watering the ground - worth a try
A couple of new 3-4mm cracks following the mortar joints
There are various mature trees 10m away but less than there were, two were cut down 2 years ago
A old local guy suggested watering the ground - worth a try
Edited by Jap90s on Wednesday 20th August 19:19
My advice (not professional) is before engaging with insurance get independent advice from a local surveyor who specialises in subsidence.
From what I understand if you go through the insurer which will instruct the same survey you will be paying more and then have potential subsidence claim.
From what I understand if you go through the insurer which will instruct the same survey you will be paying more and then have potential subsidence claim.
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