Homeowners are being advised to check their homes for subsidence and to contact their home insurance provider if they feel that their home is at risk. Peter Gerrard: head of insurance research at financial advice website Moneysupermarket.com, believes that a lack of damp weather does not necessarily equate to homes having a lesser chance of subsidence.

He further explains describing how warmer weather can still cause the ground beneath to be unsteady and if there happens to be trees close by, then the element of risk is even higher as the roots will stretch further in search of water. This eventually extracts moisture from the soil, causing the ground to be even drier.

Mr Gerrard further emphasised saying “The most common sign of subsidence is cracks appearing around the wall, especially around the door and window frames. All buildings naturally experience some cracking, so homeowners or buyers needn’t panic. Any cracks wider than your thumb could mean there is subsidence.
He also said that if homeowners believe there to be a problem of subsidence they should immediately get in contact with their home insurance company, being as honest as possible.