# Can a water leak cause subsidence? | Notts Leak Detection > Can a water leak cause subsidence? It can: leaking pipes and drains can soften or wash away soil. The signs, the other causes and what to do first. ABI-sourced. URL: https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/can-a-water-leak-cause-subsidence/ 1. [Home](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) 2. [Underground Water Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) 3. Can a water leak cause subsidence? Learn # Can a water leak cause subsidence? [Notts Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) looks at whether a water leak can cause subsidence, how to tell subsidence cracks from ordinary ones, and what to do first if you suspect both. Published 28 September 2026 · Updated 28 September 2026 · By Notts Leak Detection **Short answer:** Yes, it can, although it is not the most common cause. The Association of British Insurers lists leaking drains and water pipes among the causes of subsidence, because escaping water can soften or wash away the soil under foundations. Sandy and gravelly soils are the most vulnerable. Drying clay soils and trees are the more common causes. Can a water leak cause subsidence? The short answer is yes, sometimes. The fuller answer matters, because most cracks aren’t subsidence and most subsidence isn’t caused by leaks. ## What causes subsidence The [Association of British Insurers](https://www.abi.org.uk/policy-and-guidance/general-insurance/subsidence) lists four causes: Cause How it works Soil type Clay soils shrink, crack and shift in hot, dry weather Trees and shrubs On clay, roots draw moisture out of the soil near foundations Local mining activity Old mines, quarries and pits can become unstable if the fill collapses Leaking drains and waterways Escaping water can wash away or soften soil; sandy and gravelly soils are the most vulnerable The ABI notes that subsidence usually happens when the ground loses moisture: dry spells and trees on clay. Leaks are one cause among several, not the most common. ## How a leak can lead to movement A supply pipe carries water under pressure all day. If it leaks for months under a house or close to its foundations, the water goes into the ground around it. In sandy or gravelly ground that water can carry soil away. In other ground it can soften it. Either way, the foundations lose some support. The ABI’s prevention advice includes keeping “gutters, pipes, and plumbing” well maintained to avoid leaks. Cracks and a rising water bill? Rule out the leak first: located and fixed, with a report for your insurer. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) ## Telling subsidence cracks from ordinary ones The ABI says subsidence cracks tend to be: - diagonal, and wider at the top than the bottom; - thicker than a 10p coin; - around doors and windows; - sudden, often after long dry spells. Other signs are doors and windows that start sticking, and wallpaper rippling where there is no damp. Most cracks aren’t subsidence, though. New homes settle, fresh plaster shrinks, and buildings move with temperature. Cracks that are uniform and narrow, hairline to about 3mm, are usually routine. ## What to do first 1. Check the meter. Everything off, internal stop tap closed, and watch it. If it moves, there is a leak on the supply pipe. See [how to find a water leak underground](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/how-to-find-water-leak-underground/). 2. Call your insurer about the cracks. Subsidence is assessed by a surveyor, not a leak detection company. 3. Get the leak located and fixed if the meter shows one. It removes one possible cause, and the report is useful evidence. See [underground water leak detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/). 4. Keep records: photos of the cracks with dates, meter readings and the repair invoice. ## Bottom line A leak can contribute to subsidence, but cracks have many causes. If you see new cracks and a rising water bill, rule out the leak first, and call your insurer about the cracks. A structural surveyor decides whether it is subsidence. Call 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791), 9am–7pm, 7 days. ## Questions people also ask ### How do I know if a crack is subsidence? The ABI says subsidence cracks are usually diagonal, wider at the top than the bottom, thicker than a 10p coin, and found around doors and windows. They often appear suddenly after dry weather. Hairline cracks up to about 3mm are usually normal movement. ### Should I call my insurer or a leak detection company first? Your insurer, if you suspect subsidence. If the water bill has risen too, getting the leak located and fixed quickly removes one possible cause and gives the insurer evidence. ### Does subsidence insurance cover a leak? Subsidence and escape of water are usually separate covers. The leak itself may fall under trace and access. See [escape of water vs trace and access](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/escape-of-water-vs-trace-and-access/). Related service [Underground Water Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) Pinpoint a leak on the buried pipe between the boundary and your house with acoustic, gas and meter tests before anyone digs. [View service](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) Talk it through Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) ## More guides - [Learn How to find a water leak underground](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/how-to-find-water-leak-underground/) - [Decision Guide Escape of water vs trace and access: what is the difference?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/escape-of-water-vs-trace-and-access/) - [Learn What does trace and access cover?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/trace-and-access-cover/) - [Decision Guide How much does leak detection cost in Nottingham?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/leak-detection-cost/)