Sinkhole Repair in Florida
Florida's largely limestone landscape makes it more prone to sinkholes than almost anywhere else in the country. Solid Foundations is a family-owned, licensed Florida General Contractor (CBC1267322) offering free sinkhole evaluations and repair across the state.
Beyond sinkhole repair, Solid Foundations also handles foundation repair services, crawl space repair, seawall repair services, and helical pier installation for homes and businesses across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Some of our most-requested sinkhole repair service areas: sinkhole repair services in Tampa, sinkhole repair in Orlando, Ocala sinkhole repair, sinkhole repair services in Sarasota, and Lakeland’s sinkhole repair specialists.
What Is a Sinkhole?
Sinkholes are depressions or holes in the ground caused naturally by the collapse of the surface layers, and these surface layers can collapse as the result of a variety of events. Sinkholes form naturally when soluble bedrock such as limestone is removed gradually through the process of erosion instigated by moving water. Sinkholes can also develop when a cave roof crumbles, the water table lowers, or groundwater dissolves the rock below the land surface and carries away loose particles so that a void appears. Sinkholes can even happen in dry conditions, since a lack of rainfall or an excess of rainfall in a short period of time can disrupt the earth enough to cause openings. Human activity can incite sinkholes too — in urban areas, water mains breaking, old pipes bursting, sewers slumping, and changing water-drainage patterns can all lead to sinkholes.
Types of Sinkholes in Florida
Florida's terrain is especially prone to sinkholes because its largely limestone landscape is easily dissolved by acidic rainwater, which increases in potency as it passes through decaying plant debris in Florida's soil. The carbonate rocks in Florida's soil erode and collapse after prolonged contact with that acidic rainwater, and when they do, the ground above them sinks either slowly or rapidly depending on the type of sinkhole:
Solution sinkholes. These form slowly when limestone bedrock is exposed at the surface by a lack of vegetation or soil and undergoes dissolution — rainwater saturates the ground and creates a depression through erosion of the bedrock.
Cover-subsidence sinkholes. These also form slowly, in areas where sand on top of the bedrock slides down into openings in the bedrock and lowers the land surface. The depression grows as erosion continues.
Cover-collapse sinkholes. These involve bedrock covered by a top layer of clay, dissolved into an underground cave by water beneath its bottom layers. Those bottom sediment layers erode over time until only a thin layer remains between the underground opening and the surface. This type of sinkhole forms rapidly when that thin layer gives way and opens a sinkhole that swallows everything above it.
Florida's growing population and unpredictable rainfall make sinkholes an even greater concern in our state, which is why it's important to recognize the signs early.
Signs of a Sinkhole
Sinkholes don't always affect the people nearby, but taking your chances with one is unwise. Acting quickly at the first sign can make a real difference. Watch for:
- Cracks in the concrete driveway or sidewalks outside your home
- Depressions in your street, your yard, or your neighbors' yards
- Water collecting in pond-like areas around your home that weren't there before
- Slumping fence posts, trees, or foundations
- An exposed or sunken area of your foundation
- Cracks in the exterior of your home, visible in block or stucco
- Cracks in the interior of your home along joints, windows, doors, walls, floors, or ceilings
- Uneven, sloping, or sagging floors
- Nails popping out or pushing through the drywall
- Baseboards pulling away from the wall
- Doors, windows, or cabinets that are hard to open and close
- Water spots and stains
- Sediment in your water
- Unexplained changes in your utility bills
- An actual cavity beginning to open
How We Fix Sinkholes
If you notice any of these signs, or a sinkhole has already formed on your property, you need a professional sinkhole repair team. Solid Foundations has the geotechnical knowledge of Florida's terrain and the engineering judgment to diagnose your specific situation and fix it correctly and safely the first time. Our tools for sinkhole remediation include:
Compaction grouting. We stabilize the soil under your home and fill in sinkholes that have formed by pumping a thick mixture of cement and grout deep into the soil through a limited-access drill. This mixture fills the voids in the soil to maximize density, closes the hole, and seals the top of the limestone layer against future problems.
Void filling. We lift and repair concrete slabs that have been affected by a sinkhole by pumping a high-strength structural polyurethane foam beneath the slab or behind below-grade concrete structures. The foam fills empty spaces and steadies the concrete against outside forces, covering a large area quickly and with minimal disruption.
Why Solid Foundations for Sinkhole Repair
Florida is a great state to live in, but it's also the state most susceptible to sinkholes, and they can be dangerous and devastating — swallowing structures, closing roads, and causing significant damage. Solid Foundations supplies the expert sinkhole remediation and the customer service to resolve your sinkhole problem and restore your peace of mind, with the goal of putting you back on solid ground.
Schedule Your Free Sinkhole Evaluation
Don't wait for a crack or a depression in your yard to become a real hole in the ground. Contact Solid Foundations today for a free evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a sinkhole?
Common warning signs include cracks in your driveway, walls, or foundation, doors and windows that suddenly stick, sloping or sagging floors, and depressions forming in your yard. If you notice any of these, a free evaluation can confirm what's actually happening beneath your property.
What causes sinkholes in Florida?
Florida sits on a largely limestone landscape that slowly dissolves as acidic rainwater passes through the soil. As the limestone erodes, the ground above it can lose support and sink, either gradually or suddenly, depending on the type of sinkhole.
How does Solid Foundations repair a sinkhole?
Depending on the situation, we use compaction grouting to stabilize the soil and fill underground voids, or void filling to lift and support concrete slabs affected by a sinkhole, restoring density and support to the ground below your property.
Is sinkhole damage covered by homeowners insurance?
It depends on your policy and the type of damage. We recommend checking with your insurance provider directly, and we can provide evaluation documentation to support a claim.
How much does sinkhole repair cost?
Cost depends on the size of the sinkhole and the repair method needed. We provide a free evaluation and a clear, upfront estimate before any work begins.
Is Solid Foundations licensed for sinkhole repair in Florida?
Yes. We're a licensed Florida General Contractor (CBC1267322), and our crews are trained and insured for sinkhole, foundation, and structural repair work across Florida.
