Has this summer’s dry heat damaged your home? What UK homeowners need to know

# Quick summary

# How heat and drought affect clay soils and foundations

• Clay shrinkage can cause foundations to drop unevenly.
• Differential movement shows up as step cracks in brickwork, shifts around door and window frames, and sloping floors.

# Typical signs homeowners report Look for these specific, new or worsening symptoms that commonly accompany subsidence or soil movement:

• Step-shaped cracks in exterior brickwork or internal walls near corners.
• Doors and windows that suddenly stick or fail to latch.
• Gaps between skirting boards and walls or new cracks in plaster.
• Floors that feel uneven where they were previously level.

# Practical next steps if you suspect weather-related damage Document everything. Take dated photos of cracks, doors, and any ground changes. Keep a written log of when you first noticed symptoms and any weather conditions (heatwaves, prolonged dry spells, storms).

• Your home insurer: check your policy wording for subsidence or ground movement cover and whether you need to notify them promptly to preserve cover.
• A structural or chartered surveyor: for an independent assessment of whether movement is active and the likely cause.
• Local authority building control: if work will be required to make the property safe or if you need guidance on permitted repairs.

If you want your experience recorded by the Guardian: use the publication's secure form to share details, photos, and whether you have made or plan to make an insurance claim. The Guardian notes responses can be anonymous and that submitted data are encrypted and used only for the feature.

# When to involve professionals urgently If cracks are wide and expanding over short periods, or if there are signs of structural instability (doors that will not close at all, large step cracks, or visible foundation gaps), get a professional inspection promptly to assess safety and to gather evidence for insurers.

Insurance processes can vary. If you lodge a claim, expect an insurer assessment and possibly a surveyor visit. Keep records of communications and photographs. Contributing your account to media collecting homeowner stories helps show the scale of weather-related damage in your area.

# Closing practical note If your property is on clay-rich ground and you observed new cracking or movement this summer, act methodically: document, seek a professional opinion if movement appears active, notify your insurer, and consider sharing your experience with outlets collecting homeowner reports so others and policymakers can understand the extent of the problem.