Hot Weather Causing Structural Damage To Properties | Sharpes Auctions

The latest warning from insurers predicts that tens of thousands of homes will sink into the ground, following this year’s heat wave, according to an article from the Telegraph.  The hot and dry weather during the past two months has caused the soil under buildings to shrink. This in turn could lead to cracks appearing, normally the first sign of subsidence, which is the downward movement of a surface, causing the ground beneath a building to become unstable and consequently begin to sink.

Stay alert for subsidence

Common causes of subsidence also include ground vibrations and previous mining activity in the area. Clay soil is a particularly prone to shrinking, which is exacerbated after dry weather. Another cause of shrinkage is when water leaks into the soil under a property, washing away the soil from the foundations. This occurs in soils high in gravel or sand content. In addition, trees near to a property can cause subsidence, as the roots continue to remove moisture from the soil. We’ve all come across minor cracks at one time or another, however homeowners and property investors must be extra vigilant in the coming months. Evidence of subsidence usually appears several months after the damage has been done. It is important that you seek advice and act immediately, as the sooner it is identified the easier it is to fix.

What to look out for

You need to seek advice if:

• Diagonal cracks appear in walls and ceilings and outside brickwork
• Doors and windows begin to stick or the glass cracks
• Existing cracks become wider
• Wallpaper begins to rip, particularly where walls meet ceilings and there are no signs of damp

How will it impact homeowners?

Insurers are expecting subsidence claims to quadruple from about 12,000 claims in 2017 to 50,000 claims this year. In worst case instances, subsidence can take a year to fix. Some homeowners potentially risk being housed in temporary accommodation over the Christmas period as their properties are being fixed. Building insurance premiums will most certainly rise if subsidence is found to be the cause. Some insurers even refuse to insure properties with a history or higher risk of subsidence. Subsidence and other structural issues not only inhibit your chances of selling your house quickly, it can also prevent prospective buyers from getting a mortgage as any issues have to be resolved before the bank is willing to lend out money.

How can Sharpes help me?

If you want to sell your property quickly then Sharpes Auctions North West are your best bet. We have helped many vendors facing difficulties in selling their properties fast, regardless of the condition. You can put your house on the market with damp or structural issues. The majority of our purchasers are cash buyers, therefore negating the need for any kind of loan to purchase the property. We update our database of potential purchasers constantly and inform them of any new properties we are marketing. Our properties are also advertised on all the online property portals including Right Move, Zoopla and Primelocation. Thereby enhancing the chances of selling your property quickly. We cover all areas including Colne, Darwen, Nelson, Skipton and Todmorden. If you have a property to sell, you have nothing to lose. Call the Sharpes auction Yorkshire team now on 01274 731217 or the North West team on 0161 302 9782 for a free appraisal of your property or visit www.sharpesauctions.co.uk and fill in our online appraisal form.  

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