Subsidence – The Number 1 Property Nightmare
Subsidence is the sudden sinking or gradual downward settling of the grounds surface. This can be caused by natural processes or human activities. A recent study by Yes Homebuyers has revealed that subsidence is the number one property nightmare for homebuyers as it can devalue your home by up to 20%! According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average price of a house in the North East is £141,000, meaning you could have nearly £30,000 knocked off the price of your home due to subsidence!
One of the most common causes of subsidence is trees. Clay soils often expand or shrink depending on the moisture content. During drier periods of the year trees tend to draw water from the soil, in turn causing the clay soil to shrink. As a result of this, the foundations of any neighbouring properties move, and cracks start to appear.
Typically, these cracks are 3mm wide and get wider closer to the bottom. Over time, these cracks continue to develop and can cause significant damage as they grow. Trees, bushes, and hedgerows amount to 60% of recorded cases of subsidence!
Here at ProHort we provide detailed tree related Subsidence Reports, identifying the cause of any subsidence (including pinpointing which tree is causing it) and offering any recommendations we feel necessary. If you have any concerns regarding tree related subsidence, please do contact us today!