Proudly serving all of Florida with offices in Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers

Sinkholes: How do they form, what causes them?

Jun 15, 2017 | Residential Blog Posts

7 states are more prone to sinkholes, U.S. Geological Survey says

img

Across Central Florida in past weeks, sinkholes have formed across Central Florida.

Ocala Fire Rescue officials said a sinkhole opened near a Goodwill store Sunday afternoon.

The sinkhole opened on the banks of a retention pond next to the store at the 2800 block of SW 27th Avenue, fire rescue officials said. This sinkhole opened up a quarter-mile south of where a sinkhole opened on State Road 200 near a Checker’s in Ocala.

So what causes the sink hole to appear?

Florida law defines a sinkhole as a,  “landform created by subsidence of soil, sediment, or rock as underlying strata are dissolved by groundwater. A sinkhole forms by collapse into subterranean voids created by dissolution of limestone or dolostone or by subsidence as these strata are dissolved.”

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are two types of sinkholes: dissolution, cover-subsidence sinkholes and cover-collapse sinkholes.

Dissolution sinkholes occur when limestone or dolomite are exposed to groundwater. Once the breakdown occurs, spaces and caverns can form.

Cover-subsidence sinkholes form when sediments contain sand and cover material is thicker and sediments contain more clay, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The last type of sinkholes are the most catastrophic and are called the cover-collapse sinkholes. This occurs when sediments have a large amount of clay, officials said.

Over time, surface drainage, erosion and deposition of sediment cause a sinkhole in a shallower bowl-shaped depression.

Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennesseeand Pennsylvania are where sinkholes are more likely to occur, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

If you have any questions about sinkhole occurrences, The Florida Geological Survey has a database that you can look up the incidences.

Florida law, Section 627.706(2)(a) requires authorized insurers to cover catastrophic ground cover collapse. “The insurer may restrict catastrophic ground cover collapse and sinkhole loss coverage to the principal building, as defined in the applicable policy,” the law states.

To read more on the Florida law, visit https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.706.html

***Please note blog courtesy of www.clickorlando.com***

i 3 Table of Contents

Foundation sinking in Florida clay: What homeowners need to know

Have you ever wondered why homes in Florida often face foundation problems? Living in Florida means dealing with clay soil that constantly expands and contracts, and that movement puts serious pressure on your home’s foundation. You might notice cracks in your walls...

Repair Eroded Seawall Structures with Easy DIY Tips and Expert Advice

Erosion doesn’t wait. If your seawall has started to wear down, it’s already putting your property at risk, letting water slowly steal the soil that’s supposed to protect your foundation. The good news? You can fix it before the damage gets worse. So how do you repair...

Permanent Structural Repair Options for Lasting Home Safety

Structural damage isn’t just a cosmetic problem; it threatens your home’s safety, value, and peace of mind. Cracks in walls, uneven floors, or shifting foundations can worsen quickly if left untreated. The real challenge? Many quick fixes only hide the symptoms...

How to Level Uneven Floors Quickly and Easily at Home

Uneven floors can throw off more than just your furniture; they mess with your home’s balance, safety, and even your peace of mind. So, if your floors feel a little “off,” chances are they actually are. But don’t panic, you’re not alone, and this isn’t a hopeless DIY...

Contact us anytime!