Get the app →
BriefTea logoBriefTea

Every story in sixty words

Explained in plain English

Why are some homes vulnerable?

Properties built from the post-war period through the 1980s are often more susceptible to subsidence from clay shrinkage. This can be due to the type of foundations used at the time or their proximity to trees, which also draw moisture from the soil. Modern building regulations often account for these risks better.

Stories that explain this

London's clay ground will take ages to recover from drought

Related explainers

Why does clay shrink? How does rain help clay? What is subsidence? What are affordable homes? How do bats get into homes? What is a care home? Cooling your home cheaply Why evacuate homes?

The full catalogue

Browse every card filed under S →