Monday, June 11, 2007
Category:
Personal Finance Tips
As warm summer weather is just around the corner thirsty trees are sucking water out of the soil, which in turn is destabilising the foundations on which properties lie.
According to new research from Halifax 80% of garden centre managers reported increasing numbers of homeowners with subsidence concerns in the last twelve months. As the Met Office predict above average temperatures this summer, Halifax Home Insurance say that this could increase the number of subsidence claims especially as subsidence claims saw a 50% increase in the past five years.
With the warmer weather, garden centers are seeing green fingered Brits tending towards exotic plants. Three quarters of garden centre managers have seen an increase in demand for specimens such as bamboos and palms. As a result 44% said they have begun to stock greater varieties of plants suited to a Southern European climate.
Neil Curling, senior manager of structural claims at Halifax Home Insurance, said:
“Last year’s water restrictions highlighted the threatening conditions for subsidence. With Britain having already experienced unprecedented high temperatures in 2007, and an extremely dry April, we are concerned that increasing numbers of properties could be affected and are urging householders to be vigilant to this threat.”
“Green-fingered Britons planting new exotic species, should carefully research the impact they could have on their garden and their home. Britons may be unaware of the appropriate distance to plant an exotic species away from their property to ensure the tree or shrub’s root system does not cause subsidence later down the line as the roots take water out of the soil. Just cutting back a tree or shrub to the size it was last year may be enough to keep subsidence at bay during an average summer and save the anxiety, inconvenience and cost of subsidence damage. If severe drought approaches then more radical cutting may be required. ”
There has been a 10% decline in the sale of plants due to water restrictions over the past twelve months according to over half of Britain’s garden centre managers. Gardeners may turn to planting species suited to a Southern European climate if temperatures continue to rise and the country witnesses increased water restrictions. According to research, plants that are expected to perform better due to a warmer British climate include yuccas, palm, olives and ginger.
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Homeowners wishing to make the most of this summer’s warm weather could look at a secured loan as one of the many options available to improve their homes and gardens. A secured loan could help fund the building of a conservatory or even a basic greenhouse allowing homeowners to make the most of sunshine whether it’s an extra room for entertaining guests or extra space for indulging their hobbies. Even simple improvements such as painting a garden fence or even purchasing new garden furniture so that long warm evenings spent outside are even more enjoyable. With a secured loan, a mountain of garden possibilities could be available, allowing homeowners to spend their summer’s floating from BBQ’s to outdoor garden parties. A secured loan is made payable over a term to suit the borrower from 5 to 25 years.
