Imagine arriving at work one day and noticing a large hole forming right next to your building. You park away from it and go to investigate, and you find out that you now have a sinkhole sitting right on your land. What do you do next? You can’t just ignore it because sinkholes can cause damage to your buildings and parking lots and pose a serious safety risk to the people on your property. Additionally, if it keeps growing, it can even get all the way to your building and can weaken its structural integrity all together, posing an even more serious risk of damage.
When you are faced with this situation, knowing how to act can help you keep your people safe, and minimize the damage your property experiences. This guide will teach you what to do when a sinkhole appears on your property.
How Do Sinkholes Form On My Property?
Sinkholes are a common occurrence here in Southeastern PA, where the ground contains a lot of limestone and other similar rock formations. When water hits these rocks, the rock can dissolve and leave a space underneath the surface of the ground, which eventually weakens the soil and causes it to collapse, creating a sinkhole.
Late winter and early spring is often referred to as sinkhole season, because all of the melting snow and heavy rainfall can increase the amount of water flowing underground, causing even more soil to weaken and collapse. This means that right now is the perfect time for sinkholes to form on your property, which is why being prepared to handle them is so important.
Why Do Sinkholes Need Repaired?
Even the smallest sinkholes need to be resolved immediately. What starts off as a small hole will gradually grow larger as the surrounding soil collapses as well left unrepaired, the hole will grow and grow until it reaches underneath your building and foundation, or even utility and drainage lines underground, causing them to collapse as well. Handling this problem immediately is the best way to prevent damage to your property and building systems, and leads to a much cheaper repair overall as well.
What Should I Do When I See a Sinkhole on My Property?
If your property has a sinkhole on it, the biggest thing to do is to act quickly.
1. Secure the Area and Keep People Away From It
Because sinkholes can quickly grow without warning, you’ll want to make sure that everyone is out of its path. Block the sinkhole off to prevent people or vehicles from getting too close to it.
2. Turn Off Any Utilities That Could Be Affected
Sinkholes can break drainage pipes, gas lines, and electric systems. Turn off those systems in your building to minimize damage.
3. Report the Sinkhole (If Necessary)
Depending on where you are located, there might be local municipalities or utility companies that need to know when a sinkhole forms. Check the guidelines for your area, and make sure the proper groups are notified.
4. Hire a Professional Sinkhole Repair Company
Sinkhole repair requires serious expertise, and shouldn’t be left to just anyone. Bring in experienced professionals who understand how to properly stabilize and repair sinkholes. Professional repair crews can assess the underlying cause and restore the stability of your property.
5. Take Pictures of the Sinkhole and Keep an Eye Out for Changes
Take photos and notes about the sinkhole and watch for signs that it is expanding or changing shape. By documenting how the sinkhole is forming and growing, you can help the professional repair crews evaluate and repair the damage by giving them even more information.
Contact Winterstone to Repair Sinkholes on Your Property
If you find a sinkhole on your property, the Winterstone team can help. Our sinkhole repair services quickly handle the damaged area and keep your property safe. We work together with commercial property owners to determine the source of the sinkhole and provide dependable repair options that prevent further harm.
Reach out to Winterstone today to get a quote for sinkhole repair for your property. We are ready to get land back in shape.
