Read on to learn the signs of a potential sinkhole and what you should do if you ever see one.
Sinkholes are one of the weirder realities of life in a country with aging infrastructure. A hole that appears out of the blue and can be big enough to swallow vehicles – that sounds like an urban legend. Right? While sinkhole stories do tend to take on a life of their own, they are not always as fantastical as they’re made out to be. The reality of sinkholes is that they often occur due to natural processes and they can be a mild nuisance or a major danger. Read on to learn the signs of a potential sinkhole and what you should do if you ever see one.
What Does It Look Like?
The first visual sign of a sinkhole is usually a new depression in the ground that doesn’t have any other obvious cause. If you know someone has been digging in an area, a new hole isn’t cause for concern. However, most sinkholes start not as a hole, but as a minor depression, without any damage to the grass on the surface. It is important to recall that a sinkhole is not the only thing that can cause a depression. Rotting materials, like tree roots or buried construction debris, can also create a void overtime that collapses and causes a depression. That is not a sink hole – it is just a small hole caused by sinking ground.
What Other Signs Are There?
A true sinkhole is a major structural issue in the ground, so it often has some far-reaching consequences. For instance, nearby hardscaping like driveways, walkways, and foundations could slant, crack, or become uneven. The ground in the vicinity may be mushy or spongey. Areas may start to show puddling where they never did before, and trees may start leaning towards the depression.
What Should You Do?
If you have a depression and you’re noticing any of the other signs, you need to call a professional to assess. You also need to find out from your insurance company what is covered in terms of a sinkhole. It is most likely that you won’t be able to safely handle this job on your own – your insurance company may be able to help you find a knowledgeable professional to help you. If you believe you have a sinkhole, don’t wait to find out the hard way. Once the damage starts, it can be hard to stop.
Concrete Visions Will Get The Job Done Right
Concrete Visions has been working with clients for over 25 years. Our G&M Services installers are certified with the industry’s major firestop product manufacturers. As part of our firestop service, we can assess abnormal field conditions and, with the manufacturer’s technical support assistance, provide engineering judgments in a timely fashion to comply with contract specifications. Our Field Mechanics undergo ongoing training, including mandatory monthly safety meetings, weekly Toolbox Talks where safety and equipment information is shred, and trainings on safe work standards and safety best practices.