Soil Moisture & Subsidence

Soil Moisture Levels Drop Across UK – What It Means for Your Property

The latest Hydrological Outlook UK (June 2025) paints a worrying picture for large parts of the country. Soil and subsurface water levels are well below average across southern and central England, as well as much of the east of the UK. In some areas, as much as 57mm of additional rainfall is needed just to bring conditions back to normal for the time of year.

Dry Soils = Higher Risk of Subsidence

Why does this matter? In areas underlain by clay soils, reduced soil moisture causes the ground to shrink. This process—known as shrink-swell behaviour—can lead to ground movement beneath buildings, especially when the clay dries out during extended dry periods.

The result for homeowners and asset managers can be:

• Cracks in brickwork and render

• Uneven floors or sticking doors

• Damage to paths, driveways and drains

• In serious cases: subsidence, requiring structural investigation and repair

These conditions are particularly dangerous in older homes with shallow foundations, or buildings near trees that extract even more moisture from the soil.

Long-Term Forecasts Offer Little Relief

While some parts of northwest England and western Scotland have seen recovery in soil moisture due to May rainfall, the southeast remains persistently dry. To overcome these deficits before autumn, several regions would need unusually high rainfall—levels with return periods of over 50 to 100 years in some cases. In short, natural recovery isn’t likely any time soon.

What Can You Do?

If you’re seeing early signs of structural movement—like cracks forming, or windows and doors no longer aligning—act now. Early intervention can help avoid more severe damage and expensive insurance claims.

At Geobear, we offer a proven, low-disruption solution to address subsidence. Our geopolymer injection technique strengthens the ground beneath your property without the need for major excavation or traditional underpinning. Most jobs are completed in just one day.

👉 Get in touch with Geobear today to speak to a specialist about your property.

References:

• Hydrological Outlook UK – June 2025