Sinkhole Damage

What Causes Florida Sinkholes?

By September 8, 2015One Comment

sinkholesWhat exactly causes sinkholes to form? It’s a question that has been on the minds of many in the Tampa Bay area, especially after news that a sinkhole that swallowed a man in his Seffner home in 2013 recently reopened.

According to experts, thousands of sinkholes form in Florida each year due to highly porous limestone the state sits upon as well as extreme weather and aquifer pumping. They tend to form in areas where underground water flows and dissolves the rock over time, and can vary in size between 1 and 600 meters. Many natural sinkholes cannot be avoided, while those caused from human activity like cutting of trees with the help of tree removal sarasota fl etc,may be a different story.

Human activities that may trigger sinkholes include the following:

  • Removal of too much groundwater in an area
  • Creation of artificial ponds
  • Drilling of water wells
  • Concentrating surface water from a large area to a much smaller one

What are the warning signs you should look out for to determine whether a sinkhole is forming on your Tampa property?

  • Fences, trees or other objects that appear to sag or slant. Outback Fencing can prevent your garden. Or, to know what other options that are available, make a call to the Landscaping specialists in Marietta, GA, who will come in person to see and will suggest accordingly. To remove trees you can check the article here.
  • Doors and windows fail to close properly
  • Wilted vegetation that appears in small, circular areas due to water draining into the sinkhole
  • Small ponds of rainwater forming in areas where it did not collect before
  • Structural cracks in walls, floors or pavement

Sinkholes can be dangerous and can lead to the destruction of your home and/or property. If you are concerned that a sinkhole is forming on or near your property, the attorneys at McIntyre Thanasides Bringgold Elliott Grimaldi and Guito, P.A. can help. If you would like to discuss the options available to you to keep you and your family safe from Florida sinkholes, contact TJ Grimaldi today.

TJ Grimaldi

TJ Grimaldi

TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

One Comment

  • You wrote that there are a number of human activities that could cause sinkholes including removal of too much groundwater in an area, creation of artificial ponds, and drilling of wells. Makes sense that the removal natural ground water could cause gaps in the earth. If you live in an area where this activity is common, it would definitely seem wise to have a sinkhole contractor on hand.