Clay Soil Shrinkage Damages Homes in France After Drought
1 report, 1 independent
Updated Oct 15
AI-generated briefing. Brind wrote this from the reports listed below. It can be wrong. Each section says how much you can rely on it, and the sources are linked so you can check.
What happened
In France, a phenomenon called retrait-gonflement des argiles (RGA), or 'shrinkage and swelling of clays,' is affecting homes built on clay soil. This occurs when the soil shrinks during droughts and swells again when it becomes wet. Over 12 million houses are susceptible to this issue.
From thelocal.fr
Why it matters
The repeated shrinking and swelling weakens the soil and the structures built upon it. In severe cases, this can cause floor slabs and partition walls to break up, or buried water pipes to rupture. Owners are advised to document damage to support insurance claims related to drought.
From thelocal.fr
Who's involved
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The entities involved
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Reinsurance Group of America
American insurance company
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