What Is a Subsidence Surge – And Why Should You Care in 2025?

Following an unusually dry spring across many parts of the UK, concerns are growing about the increased risk of a
subsidence surge in summer 2025. When warm weather dries out clay-rich soils, the ground beneath buildings can shrink and destabilise –
a process that can cause cracking, structural movement, and a sudden spike in insurance claims.

This phenomenon isn’t new, but the signs suggest we could be heading towards another major surge year – much like
2018, 2003, or even 1990, when tens of thousands of properties were affected and insurers struggled to cope with demand.

What Is a Subsidence Surge?

A subsidence surge refers to a sharp increase in insurance claims related to ground movement beneath buildings. Surge years are typically
triggered by prolonged periods of dry, hot weather – which causes clay soils to contract, leaving voids and instability beneath foundations.

Notable historic surge years include:

• 1990 – The largest recorded surge, with over 130,000 claims
• 2003 – A widespread European heatwave resulted in around 55,000 claims
• 2018 – Another hot summer led to 23,000 subsidence claims, costing insurers around £145 million

With weather patterns shifting and spring 2025 already drier than average, insurers and homeowners alike should be on high alert.

How a Surge Impacts Property Owners

A surge doesn’t just mean more cracked walls – it leads to systemic pressure on the whole claims process:

• Longer delays – Insurers and loss adjusters face a backlog, leading to months-long waits for assessments and approvals
• More stress – Property owners are left uncertain and anxious while damage worsens
• Higher costs – As demand spikes, so do prices for repairs and skilled labour

Early detection and action are essential to mitigate the risks.

Common Signs of Subsidence

Don’t wait until cracks widen or doors stop working. Watch for:

• Diagonal cracks around doors and windows often widen over time
• Windows or doors that stick or won’t close properly
• Wallpaper creasing or rippling (not due to damp)
• Uneven floors or noticeable sloping

These can all be early indicators of ground movement, particularly in clay soil regions.

How Geobear Can Help – Fast, Non-Disruptive Repairs

At Geobear, we specialise in solving subsidence issues quickly and without disruption.
Our engineered solution uses geopolymer resin injected beneath your home to fill voids and relevel structures, with no need for excavation or long delays.

• Speed – Most repairs completed in 1–2 days
• Convenience – No need to move out or dig up foundations
• Reliability – Over 200,000 successful applications worldwide

While others are waiting for insurance approval, you could already be sorted.

Free Initial Assessment – Act Before the Surge Hits

Worried about cracks or movement in your property? With a potential 2025 surge on the horizon, now is the time to act.
Geobear offers a free, no-obligation assessment to help you understand if subsidence is an issue, and how it can be fixed quickly. Get in touch with us today.

Don’t wait in the queue. Act early and protect your home with Geobear’s fast, engineered subsidence repair.