Sinkholes and Voids

If you suspect a sinkhole on your property, it is very important to get it checked out immediately. My Foundation Repairs has a network of foundation repair specialists that specialize in sinkhole remediation and detection. They also offer free inspections.

If you notice the signs below, then call us and we can put you in touch with a sinkhole specialist at My Foundation Repairs. The method that would be used to repair your potential sinkhole will vary based on where you live and the size of the sinkhole. To learn more, call My Foundation Repairs to be put in touch with a sinkhole repair expert in your state.

How Do Sinkholes Form?

A sinkhole is a natural process that occurs due to erosion and can be found where limestone or other soluble terrain is present. This type of terrain is common in many parts of the world and tends to produce a larger amount of easily soluble soil that eventually leads to sinkholes forming. Although they are often disruptions to populated areas, they are actually necessary for balancing the terrain as they help carry groundwater down into aquifers which gives life to streams and rivers.

While giant sinkholes get most of the attention, smaller ones occur much more frequently. They usually measure between 10 and 12 feet across and can be found in almost any area with soluble rocks, like limestone or gypsum. As well as being the least dramatic in size, these sinkholes are normally harmless. From a distance they may look picturesque, simply disappearing into grassland or forests, but they can create unexpected dangers - cars, buildings and roads have all been swallowed by such seemingly inconsequential holes.

man looking in hole

How Do You Know If You Have a Sinkhole?

Detecting whether or not one is living in a potentially hazardous sinkhole area can be difficult, as the issue isn't always visible to the eye. Typically, homeowners will encounter signs like recurring pools of water near their home, patchy dying grass, oddly-shaped depressions in the yard, and changes in outdoor walls or foundations. While some of these can just be an indication of simple groundwater seepage, if multiple symptoms are spotted then chances are sinkholes could already be present.

For those living in particularly dangerous areas such as Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania – which report the highest number of sinkholes – it's advised to look out for any irregularities both indoors and outside of one's property.

  • Small holes in the ground
  • Cracks in your foundation
  • Pools that lose water for no reason
  • Water pooling in your yard
  • Wall or floor cracks
  • Soft spots in your yard
  • Sinking fence posts
a sinkhole in yard