Subsidence And Settlement - What's The Difference?

Spencer Lion are experienced surveyors in Slough & Windsor, providing structural surveys, building surveys & dealing with party wall matters.

Subsidence And Settlement

The dictionary definition of settlement and subsidence does not provide any differentiation between the two. It is the wording of standard residential policies which makes the distinction. Settlement is applied to failure of the components of the building and subsidence is used where the building is damaged as a result of ground failure.

Most residential policies cover the risks related to subsidence. However, the risk related to settlement is not covered by buildings insurance. It is therefore important on a pre-purchase survey to try and distinguish between the two and report existing damage that could deteriorate and consider the risks of future damage. Speak to a surveyor in Slough to find out more.

Subsidence And Insurance

The insurance industry will only compensate for the cost of repair or loss in value where the damage was caused whilst the insurer was on risk. This means that the damage must have occurred during the existence of the insurance policy. If the damage pre-dates the buildings insurance policy or when they took on the risk then the insurer will not accept liability.

Insurance policies are dependent upon full disclosure that may affect the insurer’s liability. By failing to advise on any pre-existing damage would enable the insurer to avoid the risk.

Subsidence And Ground Conditions

Clay sub-soils are susceptible to movement. The volume variation is related to the presence of water; add water and the volume increases, take water away and the volume decreases. Shrinkage or expansion of clay sub-soils can cause movement to the foundations of a building.

This most commonly occurs when tree roots draw moisture from a greater depth than normal evaporation and foundations are not laid at an adequate depth below ground. Heave can occur on removal of a tree and as a result the ground becomes wetter and the clay ground can swell and cause an upward movement on shallow foundations. Removal of trees near buildings and in clay sub-soils needs to be carefully considered. 

Quality Surveyors In Slough & Windsor

Spencer Lion is one of the leading building surveyors in Slough and Windsor, to find out more please call us on 01753 850304 or email info@surveyorsslough.co.uk