October 12, 2026
Resource hub refresh puts expert technical advice at your fingertips
Insurance claims professionals now have faster access to the expert advice they need in...
Service illustrations
What is building subsidence?
Building subsidence explained
Subsidence is the vertical downward movement of a building foundation caused by loss of support of the site beneath the foundations. It can occur suddenly or gradually.
It is one of the most serious and distressing problems a property owner or manager can face, and with the UK experiencing more volatile weather (frequent periods of heavy rainfall interspersed with longer periods of dry weather), building subsidence risk is a growing concern.
There are many causes of subsidence, including leaking drains and sewers. This causes the softening of supporting soils or washing away of fine materials such as sandy soil, resulting in the loss of support to the house foundation, as shown in this illustration.
Catalyst will investigate subsidence problems and support contractors to put in place robust and practical solutions. Our aim is to tackle subsidence threats as early and quickly as possible, giving home owners and managers peace of mind and supporting property value.
Click here to find out more about the causes of subsidence and our range of investigative services.
Latest News From Catalyst
Helping business and domestic customers every day of the year
October 12, 2026
New Catalyst service guide – sharing the facts about off-mains drainage
Catalyst Services UK has a launched its latest service guide, providing accurate and authoritative...
August 24, 2026
From subsidence to flash flooding – why insurers are preparing for weather whiplash
The UK is experiencing another summer of extreme weather, but for insurers the immediate...