Sinkholes are a big issue that many Floridians and Americans in other states have to watch out for. While there are stories of large sinkholes developing overnight without a sign that can cause a lot of damage to a home and a person’s belongings, these types of sinkholes are not very common.
A sinkhole oftentimes will grow steady over a long period of time, and there are a few different signs that a homeowner might observe if a sinkhole is active on their property. One sign that a homeowner may notice if there is an active sinkhole on their property is their home may develop vertical cracking. Spring Hill residents should be made aware that cracks in the walls of a home does not always mean a sinkhole is present, and there are other causes for the cracks someone may see.
Here we will discuss some of the actions a homeowner should take if they start to notice that vertical cracks have developed in different areas of a home.
Where Vertical Cracking is Found in a Home
Depending on what is causing specific home vertical cracking, Spring Hill residents should know that there is not just one place that a homeowner may see cracks on their home.
For example, one common scenario that makes homeowners think that they may have an active sinkhole on their property is if they see cracks on the outside of their home that looks a lot like a staircase. This is not a sign of a sinkhole, and actually a natural phenomenon that can develop as a home’s foundation settles after many years.
Vertical cracks on the inside of a home for example, are more of a serious issue that can mean there is an active sinkhole presentment. Watch out for these crashes if they develop near the doors and windows of a home, as these are common areas to find vertical cracking.
Have a Professional Come Out and Check the Cracks
Not everyone is going to be able to make the judgment call and determine if an active sinkhole on their property is causing vertical cracking. Spring Hill residents should be made aware that they can always contact a professional that specializes in sinkholes to check if the vertical cracks are dangerous.
If a sinkhole professional thinks that the vertical cracking that has developed in a home can be serious, they can move forward with performing some sort of sinkhole investigation, usually by taking a sample of the ground around the home and seeing if there are any issues present.
It is important to understand that although a professional may choose to take a sample, it does not always mean that there is an active sinkhole that is present and should be addressed.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of *Sinkhole Titan*
