One in two houses threatened by drought – Le Figaro

This year, around 100,000 homes have been damaged. Alexis Christiaen (Pib)/PHOTOPQR/VOIX DU NORD/MAXPPPANALYSE – Public authorities are experimenting with solutions to protect homes built on clay soils in France. This is a phenomenon that is taking on worrying proportions in France. This summer’s drought was so severe that many houses built on clay soil were badly damaged. Evidenced by the many stories of owners helpless faced with the degradation of their property. Cracked facades, deformed door frames, raised paving, weakened foundations… The damage is sometimes such that some houses become uninhabitable. The phenomenon – known as shrinkage-swelling of clays (RGA) – is the result of the retraction of clay soils when it is dry and their swelling when it rains. This causes ground movements likely to destabilize the foundations of the pavilions. This year, a hundred thousand houses suffered damage. This will cost between 1.6 and 2.4 billion euros for the special regime for natural disasters, the professional federation France Assureurs announced on Thursday. Enough to beat the previous one… This article is reserved for subscribers. You have 78% left to discover.Cultivating your freedom means cultivating your curiosity.Continue reading your article for €0.99 the first month Already a subscriber? Login