Resting on a shelf of limestone, Florida has always been a prime site for sinkholes. Limestone dissolves when touched by acidic water. Sinkholes form when the ground above a cavity in the limestone can no longer hold its own weight. The earth collapses into the void beneath it, along with any structure built on the spot. Rain and drought can cause limestone to erode and trigger a sinkhole, but so can human activities such as construction or well fields. As Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties began using four different well fields in the 1960s and 1970s for their water supply, sinkholes sprang up near each one. According to a sinkhole map by the U.S. Geological Survey, Hillsborough County ranks among the most vulnerable areas in the state.

To find out if a sinkhole exists, geologists scour the ground with radar, drive rods deep into the earth to measure resistance or insert magnetic probes to attract metals.

If you feel your home has a sinkhole, take the following action immediately:

1. Contact your insurance company and have an adjuster come out to look at your property.
   
2. Your insurance company is required to arrange for a professional engineering firm to come out to your property to test for the presence of a sinkhole. Generally, Test Boring is utilized. This involves the drilling into your yard to determine the nature of your soil. Once testing has been completed, within 3-5 weeks, your adjuster should notify you of the results of the engineer’s report and have a copy forwarded to you.
   
3. After you receive that report, contact an attorney to discuss the reports findings.

If you feel your home has been damaged as the result of sinkhole activity you may be entitled to compensation under your homeowners insurance policy.

If you feel your home has been damaged as the result of sinkhole activity please contact the law firm of Reeder & Nussbaum P.A.