If my neighbor just had their home repaired for a sinkhole, does that mean I have a sinkhole under my home too?
"Non Engineer" Answer: No.
Explanation: While there may be potential for your home to be affected by a sinkhole if there is activity in the area, it does not necessarily mean that you have a sinkhole or will have one in the future.
Unless you have legitimate concerns for damage there is no reason to believe that you would have sinkhole activity under your home. Legitimate concerns for damage resulting from sinkhole activity can include noticing doors or windows that are "out of square", noticing a slope in your floor where it was once level, or noticing cracks in your walls that you have had previously repaired.
A diligent home owner will take note of differences in his or her house observed over time. One way of doing this is to mark and date a crack that you believe to be recent. Another way of monitoring a crack is by measuring its size and periodically checking to see if the size of the crack has increased. If you notice the crack getting larger with time you may want to consult a qualified, licensed professional.
Commentary: Without a proper investigation by a qualified Structural Engineer or Geo-technical Engineer there is no way of knowing for sure if there is sinkhole activity beneath your home. If you begin to become concerned about changes in your home, a Home Inspector might be able to offer an opinion on whether or not the damage in your home is frequently observed or "normal", or if there is cause for concern and a second opinion is needed. This is an inexpensive, unobtrusive option before embarking upon a full blown investigation.
While a Home Inspector can not opine on significant structural deficiencies, or if a sinkhole exists, they will at least be able to offer the knowledge of what they see in homes throughout the community. For a reputable Home Inspector visit the American Society of Home Inspectors at http://www.ashi.org/.
"Non Engineer" Answer: No.
Explanation: While there may be potential for your home to be affected by a sinkhole if there is activity in the area, it does not necessarily mean that you have a sinkhole or will have one in the future.
Unless you have legitimate concerns for damage there is no reason to believe that you would have sinkhole activity under your home. Legitimate concerns for damage resulting from sinkhole activity can include noticing doors or windows that are "out of square", noticing a slope in your floor where it was once level, or noticing cracks in your walls that you have had previously repaired.
A diligent home owner will take note of differences in his or her house observed over time. One way of doing this is to mark and date a crack that you believe to be recent. Another way of monitoring a crack is by measuring its size and periodically checking to see if the size of the crack has increased. If you notice the crack getting larger with time you may want to consult a qualified, licensed professional.
Commentary: Without a proper investigation by a qualified Structural Engineer or Geo-technical Engineer there is no way of knowing for sure if there is sinkhole activity beneath your home. If you begin to become concerned about changes in your home, a Home Inspector might be able to offer an opinion on whether or not the damage in your home is frequently observed or "normal", or if there is cause for concern and a second opinion is needed. This is an inexpensive, unobtrusive option before embarking upon a full blown investigation.
While a Home Inspector can not opine on significant structural deficiencies, or if a sinkhole exists, they will at least be able to offer the knowledge of what they see in homes throughout the community. For a reputable Home Inspector visit the American Society of Home Inspectors at http://www.ashi.org/.
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