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Heritage Subsidence
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Tool / Self-check

Subsidence repair for heritage building checker

Work through a short set of questions about what you have observed. The output gives a preliminary read on whether the movement is likely to be structural. This is not a diagnosis: establishing what is actually happening below the building requires a site investigation.

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Could it be subsidence?

Work through a short set of questions about what you have observed. The output gives a preliminary read on whether the movement is likely to be structural. This is not a diagnosis: establishing what is actually happening below the building requires a site investigation.

Have you noticed diagonal cracks wider than a 10p coin (about 3mm), often near doors, windows or corners?
Do the same cracks appear both inside and outside, or in the same place on different floors?
Have doors or windows started sticking, or do gaps show around the frames?
Is there a large tree close to the house, or has the area had a very dry spell lately?
Has the cracking appeared or widened in the last year?

Request an assessment for a confirmed finding from a specialist. This tool offers a first indication only; what is actually happening is established once a specialist attends the property.

What each level indicates

  1. Low likelihood The signs you have described are minor and often have a non-structural explanation, such as seasonal movement in lime mortar or plaster shrinkage. Take dated photographs and check them over the next few months.
  2. Possible What you have described suggests the building merits a proper look. A specialist can establish whether anything structural is involved and set out what to do next.
  3. Worth investigating The signs point to possible active ground movement. Book an assessment promptly: finding the problem early keeps the repair smaller and reduces the risk of harm to historic fabric.
  • Seasonal movement: Cracks that open through summer and close through winter are frequently thermal movement within the building fabric rather than ground movement.
  • Plaster shrinkage: Fine surface crazing in lime render or plaster is typically drying shrinkage and does not indicate structural problems.
  • Old settlement: A building that moved decades ago and has been stable ever since is not showing active subsidence.