A sinkhole can range in size, from a small sinkhole that’s easily fixed to a large sinkhole that can cause the collapse of entire homes!
Heavy rainstorms across Maryland will often cause sinkholes to form. Sinkholes are very different from potholes. A pothole is caused when the freeze-thaw cycle of the weather wears at old pavement, causing the asphalt to collapse. A sinkhole occurs when the land underneath the pavement is washed away and the pavement collapses into the resultant void. Sinkholes can range in size from a harmless dinner plate-sized sinkhole to gigantic sinkholes the size of a whole intersection! Obviously, sinkholes can be a real danger to the public, so it’s important to know how to detect them.
Sinkhole Warning Signs
Sinkholes can happen anywhere. It’s a good idea to know what to look for so you can take action before a sinkhole collapses. Here are the most common warning signs:
- Newly exposed parts of trees, fences, or foundations.
- Slumping or sagging trees or fence posts.
- Windows and doors that don’t close properly anymore.
- New pools of rainwater where pools never formed before.
- Small, circular areas of grass or other vegetation that begin wilting. This is because water is draining into the sinkhole instead of staying with the plants.
- Structural cracks in a home or cracks in the ground.
What to Do If You Find a Sinkhole
Small sinkholes in a roadway are easy, albeit inconvenient, to fix. Large sinkholes, however, can be life threatening. If you notice a sinkhole near a road or home, the first step is to evacuate any family members that may be in danger of falling into a large sinkhole. If the sinkhole is on your property, alert your insurance agency and your city or county building inspection department. Finally, mark the sinkhole with rope or tape to keep anyone from wandering too close to the dangerous area. If in a public roadway, contact your local DPW authorities to report the problem and location. Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent a sinkhole, but it is possible to protect your community by preventing sinkhole-related injuries.
Get in Touch with Reliable Contracting
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.