# Possible sink hole on my property, what do I do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 26, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013 "2019-11-26T14:58:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/1 "2019-11-26T14:58:14Z")
Hi, I live in Pennsylvania where I thought these things didn’t happen but after the most recent rain storms I have a very large hole in my front yard. At first I thought it might be an animal den, but it’s gotten to be over a foot in diameter and is… Deep. I’ve only owned my own property for a year, I have no clue what the heck to do here. What is the correct approach to this? I don’t think I should be trying to fix it myself (which was Googles first 40 suggestions). ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/2 "2019-11-26T15:15:16Z")
Until the surrounding land is inspected by a professional, your house is extremely dangerous. If you have somewhere else to stay–or can afford a hotel–you should leave. Call your insurance company immediately. Growing up in Florida, I’ve learned that sink holes are no joke. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/3 "2019-11-26T15:32:12Z")
There was the one a few years ago that swallowed up a guy who was sleeping in his bed and the house collapsed into a hole. The authorities determined it was too dangerous to try to recover the body, so he’s still down there. I would call your municipality right away and let them know, and ask for an inspection. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/4 "2019-11-26T15:41:52Z")
Are you in the King of Prussia - Norristown area? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/5 "2019-11-26T15:48:05Z")
A lot of smaller sink holes are caused by broken underground pipes. Dirt is gradually washed into a crack in the pipe until a cavity forms and collapses. Contact the city immediately. When you say deep, what are you talking about? If it’s less than 6 feet and only a foot wide, I don’t think you need to panic yet. If it’s more like 20-30, then as **Bear Nenno** says, get out now. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/6 "2019-11-26T16:37:17Z")
We had a small sinkhole (maybe 1 foot diameter) that appeared just over our property line, on a right-of-way to a gas well. I discovered it when I was walking Loki on a leash shortly after we adopted her. One minute she was walking next to me, then she was gone, _poof_. I fell to the ground and stuck my hand down the hole. I felt her harness and lifted her out. She was completely nonplussed, albeit filthy. The gas company addressed the problem. An underground spring was to blame. They dug the area up, placed a pipe, and back-filled. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/7 "2019-11-26T20:02:59Z")
How about consulting a geologist? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/8 "2019-11-26T20:24:44Z")
Harness the powers of the spice to control the sandworms. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/9 "2019-11-26T21:21:28Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Harness the powers of the spice to control the sandworms. Well this is my favorite answer. I’ll contact my township and homeowners insurance I guess. I’m not sure whose responsibility it is if it is a broken pipe. It’s less than 2 feet in diameter, but seems to be 6 or 7 feet deep. So, I want it taken care of. It’s far from the house though. But who knows what’s happening underneath? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/10 "2019-11-26T21:23:59Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Are you in the King of Prussia - Norristown area? Roughly, a little north of there. But in that county. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/11 "2019-11-26T22:30:25Z")
How old is the house or how long has there been houses on the property. It could be an old well or septic system. But calling the township & Insurance company is a solid idea. Any fracking in your area? Do you know where the water line runs to your house? Is the hole near where the water line should be? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/12 "2019-11-26T22:32:19Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I’m not sure whose responsibility it is if it is a broken pipe. Assuming you are on city water/sewer, the usual answer is that if it’s on the street side of the meter, it’s their problem, if it’s on the house side, it’s yours. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/13 "2019-11-26T23:58:40Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > How old is the house or how long has there been houses on the property. It could be an old well or septic system. But calling the township & Insurance company is a solid idea. > > Any fracking in your area? > Do you know where the water line runs to your house? Is the hole near where the water line should be? No fracking where I am that I know of. The house is about 35 years old, but I’m not sure if there was another house on the property previous to that. Its in my front yard near the sidewalk but behind some privacy bushes that were put up by the previous owner, I’m wondering if it might not be near a sewer line though. I think it lines up from what the house inspector was showing me when we bought the place. I may have a map. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/14 "2019-11-27T00:03:04Z")
Nothing to add, but I hope you’ll update us on how this is eventually resolved. For reasons I can’t explain, I find little mysteries of this sort fascinating. Good luck. . ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/15 "2019-11-27T00:11:12Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I’m wondering if it might not be near a sewer line though. I think it lines up from what the house inspector was showing me when we bought the place. I may have a map. I doubt heavily it’s related to a sewer line. You would be smelling it by now if that was the problem. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/16 "2019-11-27T00:12:26Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > There was the one a few years ago that swallowed up a guy who was sleeping in his bed and the house collapsed into a hole. The authorities determined it was too dangerous to try to recover the body, so he’s still down there. > > I would call your municipality right away and let them know, and ask for an inspection. That one, a few years ago, happened in central Florida. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/17 "2019-11-27T00:29:21Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I doubt heavily it’s related to a sewer line. You would be smelling it by now if that was the problem. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/18 "2019-11-27T01:49:51Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > No fracking where I am that I know of. The house is about 35 years old, but I’m not sure if there was another house on the property previous to that. Its in my front yard near the sidewalk but behind some privacy bushes that were put up by the previous owner, I’m wondering if it might not be near a sewer line though. I think it lines up from what the house inspector was showing me when we bought the place. I may have a map. The survey hopefully came with a map that with any luck shows the sewer & water line runs. One other possibility, there could have been an old and large tree there long ago and the roots broke down enough to create the hole. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/19 "2019-11-27T03:06:15Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Roughly, a little north of there. But in that county. It’s common there. Most of the sinkholes seems to go slowly after an initial collapse, and can be filled somehow. I’ll try to get some info from someone I know. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2019, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/20 "2019-11-27T03:07:46Z")
> [@chela](#): > > That one, a few years ago, happened in central Florida. :dubious: Yes. Are you suggesting that sinkholes are only dangerous in Florida? 😕 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013.md?page=2)