What is subsidence?
Subsidence means the foundations of a property are moving downwards. It is common for one part of a building to move while another part remains stable. This differential movement causes cracks and distortion in the walls — which is usually the first thing a homeowner notices.
How to tell if a crack is caused by subsidence
Not every crack means subsidence. The cracks most worth investigating tend to share a few features: they run diagonally, are wider at the top than the bottom, and may be visible on both the inside and outside of the wall in roughly the same place.
What are the other signs?
Doors and windows that suddenly start sticking, wallpaper wrinkling where a wall meets the ceiling, and gaps opening up around door frames can all be signs of movement worth having looked at.
Can it be prevented, and can it be fixed?
In many cases, yes. The right fix depends entirely on the cause, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters more than a quick guess. Once we understand what is driving the movement, we can set out pragmatic options for investigation, monitoring and repair.
If you have noticed cracking and are not sure whether it is a real concern, get in touch — a conversation is often the best place to start.