The extreme drought of recent months is worsening foundation problems in Dutch homes, and more people are finding new cracks in their walls after the holidays.
Otto Levelt, a subsidence expert at the research institute Deltares, expects some damage this season to homes with shallow foundations on clay soil.
As clay dries out it shrinks, and under a shallow foundation that can crack walls or make doors and windows stick.
Homes on piles are at risk too, as low groundwater can leave the piles to rot and eventually make the building unstable.
Repairs can cost tens of thousands of euros.
Deltares and research institute TNO calculated that 425,000 homes have foundation problems or could soon develop them, and the knowledge centre KCAF expects about 687,000 within thirty years.
KCAF director Frank van Lier says prevention could save 30% of the affected homes.
The financial markets authority AFM puts the total repair bill at more than 11 billion euros, which about 75,000 owners cannot afford.
The homeowners’ association Vereniging Eigen Huis wants the government to support owners, who cannot insure themselves against the damage.
If the drought has cracked your walls, check out our guide to the best contractors in Amsterdam.