In this episode of The Foundations of Building Surveying, I examine the extraordinary rainfall patterns affecting the UK in 2026 and explore what they mean for the hundreds of thousands of late-Victorian and interwar houses that define London and much of the South East. Drawing on rainfall data from the past 126 years, I explain how changing weather patterns, warmer air, and prolonged saturation are interacting with London Clay and other shrinkable soils.

This is not a message of alarm but a professional assessment of risk. We look at how shallow foundations, traditional brickwork, suspended timber floors, and ageing roof coverings respond to persistent moisture. We also consider what may happen if a hot summer follows an exceptionally wet winter, and why insurers are likely already preparing for an increase in movement-related claims.

Above all, this episode is about understanding mechanisms. Ground movement, clay softening, expansion, contraction, and the consequences of poor surface water management are not abstract concepts. They are physical processes affecting real buildings across the country. Good maintenance and informed observation remain the first line of defence.

Cracks in Residential Buildings: A Visual Guide to Structural Movement and Common Defects is a practical, easy-to-use reference written for homeowners, buyers, landlords, and property professionals.

Based on real residential inspections, the book explains why cracks occur, how they are assessed in practice, and how to distinguish between minor cosmetic defects and signs of structural movement. It focuses on traditional brick and timber construction, where uncertainty and misunderstanding are most common.

Clear photographs, concise explanations, repair guidance, and a simple decision guide allow readers to find answers quickly without wading through technical theory.

Written by Tomasz Sikorski, Principal Property Surveyor and Registered Valuer at SurveyAll, this book is an essential reference for anyone involved in buying, managing, or assessing residential property.

Available on Amazon UK soon.

This short episode highlights how surveyors can lead the way towards a more transparent and reliable property market. It showcases SurveyAll’s proactive approach with its Pre-sale service, a comprehensive, digital system that prepares properties for sale before they even reach the market. Through clear, verified documentation and professional condition checks, sellers can avoid last-minute complications, while buyers gain the confidence of knowing exactly what they’re purchasing. This process reduces fall-throughs, builds trust, and creates a more efficient, honest housing market for everyone involved. SurveyAll Ready represents preparedness, transparency, and progress, the modern way to sell property.