Londoners are waking up to a nasty surprise. Many are finding big, ugly cracks in their walls after a summer of record-breaking heat.

Experts say the problem is caused by something called subsidence. This is just a fancy word for when the ground under your house shrinks or moves. When the weather stays hot and dry for a long time, the soil loses its moisture and pulls away from the building. This can make the house sink or shift, which creates cracks in the brickwork or around windows and doors.

It is becoming a major worry for people across the UK. Property experts are now holding webinars to help homeowners spot the signs of damage before it gets worse.

There is also a growing concern about money. Some homeowners are worried that if their house is in a high-risk area for extreme weather, they might become what people call "mortgage prisoners." This means they could be stuck in a home they cannot sell, or face massive bills to fix the foundation.

If you own a home, watch out for new cracks that appear suddenly, or cracks that look like they are getting wider. If you see them, it is a good idea to talk to an expert as soon as possible.

Climate change is making these heat waves more common, which means more of us need to pay attention to the ground beneath our homes. Stay alert and check your walls for any big changes.

Source: Bloomberg.com