Displaying posts filed under

Finding Sinkholes

May
27
2010

The Cost of Sinkhole Investigations

As long as there is a “good faith” basis for filing a claim, you cannot be held responsible for the costs associated with your claim. Under Florida law, Section 627.707(7), there could be liability if the investigation was filed without a sufficient reason to have done so. The home insurance company bears the burden of proof in showing that property damage did not result from the presence of sinkholes.

May
24
2010

What is the difference between a “paleosink” and a sinkhole?

The most common presentation of this issue is when the insured is told that “sinkhole activity can be excluded, but that conditions of paleosink or ‘karst environment’ have been found.” Sometimes the reports will state whether or not the property is in a “state of reactivation.” Sometimes, rather than call these paleosinks, you will see them referred to as “relic sinkholes,” which is a lot easier to understand. The idea here is that the property was built on a lot where a sinkhole condition had existed some time ago, some times even tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago.

May
17
2010

Sinkhole Tragedy Strikes Canada

After reading this, I called a geologist who I know has done a lot of work throughout North America. His comment about Canada is that it has much of the same overall geology as we find in areas in the United States where sinkholes are present. You are going to look for shallow limestone and a rising and falling water table.

May
14
2010

Sinkhole Testing On Condos and Apartment Buildings

The larger the building or lot, the more testing is required. If you have a condominium complex where a sinkhole investigation is being completed, the investigation should relate in some way to the size of the building. Ordinarily, most engineering firms will conduct 3 standard penetration tests on a standard home site. Using this as a baseline, while not an exact comparison, I would expect a larger condo property to have considerably more borings on the property.

Apr
13
2010

Do You Have an Iceberg in Your Lawn?

Prudent homeowners should compare surface depressions with any damage to their home and cross reference the locations with the severity of the damage. Damage to the house is the simplest indicator of a progressive problem that needs to be investigated.

Mar
31
2010

Sinkhole Swallows Horse and Rider in Missouri

Just to show you that Floridians are not the only ones with sinkhole concerns, in West Plains Missouri a 15 foot sinkhole swallowed a horse while out on a ride. The horse, named Big Boy, galloped around as though nothing happened after being pulled from the hole hours later. By the way, the rider was uninjured as well.

Mar
24
2010

Cracks In Home Expand in Summer and Contract in Winter

My suggestion would be for you to make some kind of record of the damage, either through photographing the damage along side a ruler, and noting the date. Go back to the same damage weeks later, with the same ruler and photograph the damage again. This will provide you a basis to fully understand the nature of the damage, and whether it is active.

Mar
22
2010

Finding Sinkhole Homes and Neighboring Real Estate Property With Sinkhole Activity

I would suggest going to the county of a home where you are interested and obtaining a copy of the building department file, and search the building permits. While you are at it, you may want to do the same thing for the homes on the lots adjacent to the home, to see if there has been any damage. Sinkhole problems are very common in Central Florida, and it is worth taking these additional steps before you commit to buying a home.

Feb
25
2010

Soil Conditions That Mimic Sinkhole Damage

Soil conditions, such expansive clay or organic debris in your soil, can cause similar signs of sinkhole damage, like cracking.

Feb
24
2010

How To Avoid Buying a Sinkhole House

Barfield and Bragg outline three simple steps you can take to avoid buying a sinkhole house.