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What is a Sinkhole? A word is just a word, unless it comes to “sinkholes.” Suddenly, you have a definition that is heatedly argued between Floridians, engineers, lawyers and insurance agents. No one seems to be able to define what exactly is a sinkhole. Merriam-Webster defines “sinkhole” as follows: 1 : a hollow place or depression in which drainage collects. 2 : a hollow in a limestone region that communicates with a cavern or passage. 3 : sink (as in the verb meaning to fall). 4 : something (as an unprofitable investment) that steadily drains money or resources. A scientific or engineering definition of “sinkhole” would refer not just to surface holes but also refer to the voids in the bedrock, in the actual surface collapse area, the walls of the hole, or any of the mixture of soil, fissures or half-filled voids that can become a sinkhole. A sinkhole lawyer and an insurance agent will never agree on the exact definition of a sinkhole! Florida law prior to 2005 described a “sinkhole” as “sudden settlement or collapse of the earth supporting such property, but only when such settlement or collapse results from subterranean voids created by the actions of water on limestone or similar rock formations.” However, due to huge increases in the number of insurance claims filed for sinkhole house damage, Florida law redefined “sinkhole” as “a landform created by subsidence of soil, sediment, or rock as underlying strata are dissolved by groundwater.” The definition was changed to fit good geotechnical terminology but now also suggests the damages caused by a sinkhole to a house must be determined by a qualified geologist or engineer. What sinkhole lawyers do not like is that now insurers can deny a sinkhole claim upon first inspection, and victims must find the engineer or geologist to conduct the test. To a Floridian, sinkholes mean trouble for their homes. Sinkholes can mean you lose equity on your home. Sinkholes mean tens to hundreds of thousands of repair damage costs to a Florida house. As a home seller in Florida, you are required to divulge any history of, or current existence of, sinkholes on your property. What this means to the home seller, of course, is your house may be more difficult to sell and less attractive to buyers, unless it is at a significantly reduced price. What a so-called “sinkhole house” means to the home buyer may mean red flag; or, the buyer may purchase the house with stipulation that the seller has done sufficient repairs in filling the sinkhole and has gotten the repairs certified, tested, or verified by professionals. Understand more than just the technical definition of a sinkhole, but also what it means to you and your home. Sinkholes are a serious problem for homeowners that need to be dealt with sooner rather than later. You would do well to pay the costs for properly fixing the sinkhole, or face paying even more in the future. |
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Sinkholes - Sinkhole Home Buyers Florida. Sinkhole Home Buyers In Florida. |
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What About Sinkholes in Florida Florida is known for many great things- Disney World, beaches, the Florida Keys, a great place to retire, and the warm, warm weather. But Florida is also known for some dangers- hurricanes and sinkholes. Sinkholes? What are those? Sinkholes are a natural geological feature of Florida. As the name implies, it is a hole in the ground of varying widths, caused by the disintegration and disappearance of underlying rock and soil. A sink hole can be a slow-growing bowl-shaped depression, or it can be a sudden caved-in hole in the ground. You can imagine the sort of destruction and damage a large sinkhole can cause to roads and structures, such as homes. Florida has the most sinkholes out of any state. You probably did not realize it but most lakes in Florida were a result of sinkholes! The geology of Florida is ideal for sinkhole formation. Florida is covered by what is generically known as karst terrain. Karst refers to any surface that is created from rock that was dissolved by water. In Florida, the topmost layer of ground is covered by soil; beneath it lies a layer of carbonate rock, such as limestone or clay. Far beneath this is the ground water. The basic formation of sinkholes is caused by acid erosion, such as acid rain, carving and dissolving channels through the limestone. As the channels grow larger, they can form large empty spaces. Sinkholes form when the weight of the ground above collapses into the empty spaces, or when the roof of the spaces reaches and erupts up out of the surface. Different areas of Florida have varying amounts, depths, and composition of soil covering the limestone layer. Technically, there is no place in Florida 100% guaranteed safe from sinkhole development, since the whole state rests on top of carbonate rock. However, depending on the thickness and type of ground cover above the limestone layer, you may have areas that are more or less likely to develop sinkholes. There are three general types of sinkholes, though some are a combination of different types: Solution sinkholes occur where the top layer is thin and the underlying carbonate rock is exposed to the rain and wind. Natural erosion occurs slowly. These sinkholes form gradually and tend to be bowl shaped with sloped sides. Subsidence sinkholes are similar to solution sinkholes, but in this case sand falls into the depression and fills in the gaps and channels in the limestone. This prevents water from flowing in and carving deeper channels. Eventually, as you might suspect, this depression become a filled body of water, such as a spring or lake. Collapse sinkholes are the most common in Florida. Unfortunately, these are also the nightmare to wary home buyers and home owners who fear seeing their houses engulfed or swallowed by these gaping holes. Collapse sinkholes form in areas where the overlying top layer of soil is quite thick. While it may appear sturdy, the reality is that below, there is not much stability; the underlying limestone has been carved hollow by water. The roof of the empty spaces grows weaker and eventually cannot support the weight on top. Collapse sinkholes are devastating because they can occur anytime, unexpectedly, without warning. Sinkholes can be the hidden bane of those lucky enough to own a home in Florida. To protect your house from these common hazards, be wary of cracks in the foundation or exterior surfaces. Look for windows and doors that are cracked and “stuck.” In the yard, look for depressions, leaning fence posts, or signs of holes. Make sure you purchase adequate homeowner’s insurance to cover for damages caused by sinkholes. There are sinkholes in Pasco County Florida, I buy unrepaired sinkhole houses in Florida. Call us if you find houses with sinkholes in Riverview Florida. We have found many sinkholes in Spring Hill Florida. There are sinkholes in St Pete. Port Richey Florida, New Port Richey Florida, Holiday Florida Sinkhole Property Value - Call and we will work with you on what it is worth. |
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Chris Langee is a
Realtor (813) 232-2400 |
