Hot summers lead to declining groundwater levels – and that can have major consequences. The bearing capacity of the soil deteriorates, and if you are unlucky, it leads to the fact that houses begin to sink. For Charlotta Gill, who lives in Grödinge, the setting under the house has created several problems. The roof is leaking, cracks are forming in the walls, and the house is becoming more and more oblique all the time.
"We have to use a fence mallet to close the windows, which are tilted in a different direction than the window frame.
The insurance does not cover the damage. Villa insurance includes protection for natural damage such as flooding after torrential rain, storm and hail, but damage from subsidence is usually not covered. Despite all the challenges, Charlotta Gill wants to stay, but says that she would have done differently if she had bought a house today.
"Even if this was inspected by a building designer, I would go even further today, and examine the foundation in more detail.
She's not alone in her problem. Daniel Cucarano, who works with floor lifting of houses, says many people got in touch after the summers of 2018 and 2022.
"There were a lot more people than usual who got in touch when it had been extra hot.
Charlotta Gill advises others to think through what things can affect a house before a purchase.
" That you think about what the risks are with groundwater subsidence and climate change.
Watch Charlotta Gill talk about the sinking house and the problems that have followed in the video.