Living in the state of Florida, it is a big concern for homeowners to have a sinkhole develop on their property. If homeowners let a sinkhole go without being dealt with, it can quickly cause a lot of damage to the land and any surrounding structures.
Luckily though, sinkholes often have many telling signs that something is not right under a specific piece of land, or a specific area such as right under a home. One of those signs that homeowners might notice if something is wrong on their property is the development of cracks in walls. Citrus Springs residents should know though that some cracks may be harmless, and are a natural process of a house getting older in age.
Here are some things that homeowners should consider if they start to notice that cracks are developing either in or outside a home.
Why Cracks Develop From Sinkhole Activity
If there is an active sinkhole on a property, it can cause noticeable cracks on both the inside and the outside of a home, one of which is more of a problem than others. If someone notices inside cracks in walls, Citrus Springs residents need to be aware that this is not normal, and a sign of an active sinkhole under a home or close nearby.
The reason why someone will start to notice these cracks on the inside of their home is because the soils and sediments underneath the home are causing the home to lose its solid foundation.
Most foundations are flat, and when the foundation starts to get slanted or sink in, it can cause a lot of stress on a home or structure, causing it to separate, which usually starts in the form of a crack.
When are Cracks in a Home Normal?
While cracks on the inside walls of a home are a true tell sign that there is sinkhole activity somewhere near the house, cracks on the outside of a home may not be as alarming as homeowners think.
In the state of Florida, it is common for houses to end up developing on the outside of a building cracks in walls. Citrus Springs residents should know that over the timeframe of a few years a home’s foundation will begin to settle. This means that different layers of sediment will shift into place and disperse sometimes.
This is normal for many different types of land and geological conditions, and it is a natural process. The difference between outside cracks of buildings caused by a foundation settling and an active sinkhole is the size of the cracks and their uniformity.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of *Sinkhole Titan*
