There are companies that can mitigate these damages. There payments are suppose to be covered by homeowner's insurance. But, there is a blog stating the insurance companies are becoming more and more resistant to paying the claims. With an increase in the occurrence of the sink holes that will create reluctance to cover the damages by insurance companies.
...Jeff Bush was in his bedroom when a sinkhole opened up and trapped him underneath his home at 11 p.m. Thursday.
While the sinkhole was initially estimated to be 15 feet deep on Thursday night, the chasm has continued to grow. Officials now estimate it measures 30 feet across and is up to 100 feet deep. (click here)
The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has set up a relief fund for all families affected by the growing sink hole....
The actual depth of the sink hole is filled in by falling debris. So, while the surface appears to be about 30 feet deep, the actual depth of 'instability' can be far more.
Remco is an example of a remediation company. (click here)
Our clients have depended on us for quality geotechnical services for over 25 years. We provide a variety of geotechnical services including ground improvement, rock slide stabilization, excavation shoring, sinkhole remediation, encapsulation grout of hazardous materials, and controlling of underground liquid migration. We are committed to (1) the safety and well-being of our employees and our clients, (2) achieving technical excellence in the design and installation of our projects, and (3) providing our clients with service that exceeds their expectations.
Another name for a sink hole is 'bridging.' Bridging happens when a granular material becomes tightly packed and provides a solid surface. The area below the 'bridge' is actually unstable and filled with air space or shifting material. The collapse is what is called a sink hole.
One of the most dangerous bridging materials has been agricultural grain in a silo. The grain would be removed from the bottom to feed cattle or milking cows and the grain would bridge at the top. Farmers have been known to die when they entered the silo to break up the bridge.
Today, many silos are replaced with more sophisticated mechanized systems and this doesn't occur anymore. But, the basic dynamics are the same. Something occurs underneath the granular material and it eventually gives way to the void.
Government needs to pay attention to what is occurring here and stand with the consumer when they have paid for homeowner's insurance. There also needs to be assessment of the areas in Florida more frequently when drought occurs. That is true for any of the soils that can dissolve into sandy and dangerous outcomes. The USGS would have an inventory of such soils and where they are found in the USA.
Sinkhole Damage Blog (click here)
We have noticed a growing trend in the past year or so that many insurance companies are hiring different lawmfirms left and right to handle their sinkhole work. It used to be that when an insurance company found a law firm they liked and thought did good legal work they would stick with them for years and trust their advice, and listen to their advice. I dont know why lately it seems that many insurance companies will hire multiple law firms for one case, sometimes changing law firms three times during one case or hiring two law firms to team up against us on the same case. I can only speculate because I do not have any insight as to why this is happening. Strictly my guess is some of these insurance companies want a law firm that will be overly agressive on their behalf and a law firm that will agree with their recommendations. If that is the case, things are completely backwards now. It is supposed to be that the client listens to its lawyers advice but it seems the trend now is the lawyer is listening to its clients advice and if the lawyer doesnt agree with the insurance companies approach, they get fired and the insurance company finds a lawyer who will go along. - See more at: http://sinkholedamageblog.com/#sthash.5l0m43KI.dpuf
One other aspect is when water is diverted for agricultural use leaving such soils void of stability. Before there is water diversion for agriculture every means possible should be instituted to understand exactly where the water is actually being diverted from. This is not an outcome that should be allowed in any water diversion program.
This is also are reason for planting agricultural crops with deep roots. These crops are not annuals, they are perennials. These perennials add stability to soil and fight drought and erosion. There are lots of reasons to abandon old farming practices, including, annual seeding.
The actual depth of the sink hole is filled in by falling debris. So, while the surface appears to be about 30 feet deep, the actual depth of 'instability' can be far more.
Remco is an example of a remediation company. (click here)
Our clients have depended on us for quality geotechnical services for over 25 years. We provide a variety of geotechnical services including ground improvement, rock slide stabilization, excavation shoring, sinkhole remediation, encapsulation grout of hazardous materials, and controlling of underground liquid migration. We are committed to (1) the safety and well-being of our employees and our clients, (2) achieving technical excellence in the design and installation of our projects, and (3) providing our clients with service that exceeds their expectations.
Another name for a sink hole is 'bridging.' Bridging happens when a granular material becomes tightly packed and provides a solid surface. The area below the 'bridge' is actually unstable and filled with air space or shifting material. The collapse is what is called a sink hole.
One of the most dangerous bridging materials has been agricultural grain in a silo. The grain would be removed from the bottom to feed cattle or milking cows and the grain would bridge at the top. Farmers have been known to die when they entered the silo to break up the bridge.
Today, many silos are replaced with more sophisticated mechanized systems and this doesn't occur anymore. But, the basic dynamics are the same. Something occurs underneath the granular material and it eventually gives way to the void.
Government needs to pay attention to what is occurring here and stand with the consumer when they have paid for homeowner's insurance. There also needs to be assessment of the areas in Florida more frequently when drought occurs. That is true for any of the soils that can dissolve into sandy and dangerous outcomes. The USGS would have an inventory of such soils and where they are found in the USA.
Sinkhole Damage Blog (click here)
We have noticed a growing trend in the past year or so that many insurance companies are hiring different lawmfirms left and right to handle their sinkhole work. It used to be that when an insurance company found a law firm they liked and thought did good legal work they would stick with them for years and trust their advice, and listen to their advice. I dont know why lately it seems that many insurance companies will hire multiple law firms for one case, sometimes changing law firms three times during one case or hiring two law firms to team up against us on the same case. I can only speculate because I do not have any insight as to why this is happening. Strictly my guess is some of these insurance companies want a law firm that will be overly agressive on their behalf and a law firm that will agree with their recommendations. If that is the case, things are completely backwards now. It is supposed to be that the client listens to its lawyers advice but it seems the trend now is the lawyer is listening to its clients advice and if the lawyer doesnt agree with the insurance companies approach, they get fired and the insurance company finds a lawyer who will go along. - See more at: http://sinkholedamageblog.com/#sthash.5l0m43KI.dpuf
One other aspect is when water is diverted for agricultural use leaving such soils void of stability. Before there is water diversion for agriculture every means possible should be instituted to understand exactly where the water is actually being diverted from. This is not an outcome that should be allowed in any water diversion program.
This is also are reason for planting agricultural crops with deep roots. These crops are not annuals, they are perennials. These perennials add stability to soil and fight drought and erosion. There are lots of reasons to abandon old farming practices, including, annual seeding.
