02 November 2017
Last updated at 11:17
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Exploring hidden hazards - find out the truth about what lies beneath by visting Terrafirma at Property Matters this November! - There's still time to book!
The ground beneath our feet poses all sorts of hidden hazards and although we cannot easily see them, they are ever-present, revealing themselves in dramatic and often terrifying ways.
These hazards can vary from landslides to mining collapses and from radon exposure to building subsidence, their invisibility making them inherently scary as well as difficult to perceive and therefore identify, manage and resolve. Ground hazards in the UK are synonymous with one word: Sinkholes, now used to describe any sudden collapse of the ground, varying in size and shape from potholes to gigantic chasms like the one shown above.
Sinkholes can be caused by many different things but are often attributed to the UK's long history of mining, dissolution of bedrock such as chalk and gypsum and utilities failures in roads and drains. The potential local and community damage caused by ground collapse, landslides, radon, subsidence and/or Sinkholes is substantial and any hidden hazard in the vicinity of property or land can cause significant disruption, structural damage, insurance premium hikes and loss of asset value.
It is for this reason that it is essential that the risks the ground poses are expertly identified, managed and resolved, to ensure they cannot impact livelihoods negatively. Although it is not (yet) possible to accurately predict when Sinkholes will occur, with advances in data and risk modelling, it is now very possible to proactively identify where sinkholes will occur, allowing those affected to mitigate the impact of ground collapse and other hazards.
To find out more contact your local PSG office or visit Terrafirma at Property Matters. Not booked yet? There's still a handful of places, register here.
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