# 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:** 3
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/41 "2019-12-01T03:07:00Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Wow. I live in Pottstown, and I drive through Upper Gwynedd on my work in the office days. No idea there were Dopers that close by. Hi neighbor! ---
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/42 "2019-12-01T18:16:51Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Don’t be confused,you sounded like a smug alarmist with useless anecdotes for the situation. Because if your house was about to be swallowed you fucking scram before you dither on the phone with a request for a municipal inspection, not a 24/7 dept ymmfv. Sinkholes can happen suddenly, and without warning. Also, they can happen in Pennsylvania. Here is a link to an anecdote that you might find less useless: [Massive sinkhole in Pennsylvania described by residents as sounding like an “explosion”.](https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/01/25/massive-sinkhole-opens-up-in-cheltenham-twp/) ---
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/43 "2019-12-01T20:18:13Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Sinkholes can happen suddenly, and without warning. Also, they can happen in Pennsylvania. Here is a link to an anecdote that you might find less useless: > > [Massive sinkhole in Pennsylvania described by residents as sounding like an “explosion”.](https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/01/25/massive-sinkhole-opens-up-in-cheltenham-twp/) So what’s your point, how does that answer the OP’s question? WIll you tell him hey you may have an exploding sinkhole, please call your municipal dept when they open on Monday? or no? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/44 "2019-12-01T21:43:20Z")
> [@chela](#): > > So what’s your point, how does that answer the OP’s question? WIll you tell him hey you may have an exploding sinkhole, please call your municipal dept when they open on Monday? or no? I’m a bit confused as to what point you’re trying to make. Bear posted earlier a suggestion to stay elsewhere until it gets sorted out. NP posted a link to a terrifyingly big one in Florida and you thought that was alarmist. Now you seem to be saying not to stay put and dither calling the municipal department? Is leading alarmist or smart? Should they call the municipal department or not? The point that I see in posting that link, especially since earlier he posted to leave, seems to be "hey, get out, really big sinkholes can in fact happen in Pennsylvania, not just Florida. " ---
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/45 "2019-12-01T22:04:06Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I’m a bit confused as to what point you’re trying to make. Bear posted earlier a suggestion to stay elsewhere until it gets sorted out. NP posted a link to a terrifyingly big one in Florida and you thought that was alarmist. Now you seem to be saying not to stay put and dither calling the municipal department? Is leading alarmist or smart? Should they call the municipal department or not? > > The point that I see in posting that link, especially since earlier he posted to leave, seems to be "hey, get out, really big sinkholes can in fact happen in Pennsylvania, not just Florida. " I’m sorry I have no idea on how to factually address a possible sinkhole on someones property other than to call the authorities asap. ENtertaining anecdotes about exploding sinkholes and house eating craters could be helpful I suppose. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/46 "2019-12-01T22:21:21Z")
> [@chela](#): > > So what’s your point, how does that answer the OP’s question? WIll you tell him hey you may have an exploding sinkhole, please call your municipal dept when they open on Monday? or no? I’ve already answered the OP’s question. If you have an issue with my answer, please address it. Posting here to say that you “have no idea how to factually address a possible sinkhole on someones property” is probably the least helpful response in this entire thread. It’s more useless than the most useless alarmist anecdote any of us here could muster. > [@chela](#): > > I’m sorry I have no idea on how to factually address a possible sinkhole on someones property other than to call the authorities asap. ENtertaining anecdotes about exploding sinkholes and house eating craters could be helpful I suppose. You suppose correctly. Those anecdotes demonstrate precisely _why_ the OP should be taking immediate action. I’m as confused as raventhief, though. In one breath you say that treating the hole as a potentially serious problem is being alarmist, and in the next breath you say that he should call the authorities immediately. And on the exhale, you admit that you have no idea how to factually address the problem. What is it about sinkholes that gets you so pissed off? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/47 "2019-12-01T22:31:18Z")
Those who are triggered by sinkholes should probably avoid sinkhole threads. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/48 "2019-12-01T23:05:39Z")
NAF1138, have you come across this [fact sheet](https://www.brkreider.com/pdfs/SinkholeFactSheet.pdf) yet? It has some information and a number to call: \ ***Safety:** Sinkholes are considered a serious geologic hazard in Pennsylvania. They can appear very suddenly and without warning and may continue to grow after the initial collapse making the surrounding ground unstable for curious onlookers. Here are some basic guidelines to follow if you have a sinkhole on or near your property: 1. Restrict access to the hole. 2. Contact local police or emergency responders. Advise them if the hole is near utility lines or in a roadway. 3. Take photographs for documentation but do not get too close to the edges of a sinkhole. 4. Do not allow unauthorized or inexperienced persons to investigate the sinkhole. 5. Never go down into a sinkhole or attempt to fill the hole yourself. **Whom to contact:** If you suspect that a sinkhole may be related to pumping from a nearby quarry, or another DEP-regulated activity, call the DEP District Mining Office or Regional Office serving your county. If no mining or other regulated activity is suspected, you can report sinkholes to the Pennsylvania Geological Survey at (717) 702-2017. **Limits of DEP involvement:** With a greater awareness of sinkhole problems, DEP is making an effort to prevent sinkholes resulting from permitted activities. If a sinkhole is not the result of DEP-regulated activities, the Department has no legal recourse to help the landowner. There are no special organizations or funding that provide aid to those with a large sinkhole repair bill. If there is no association with a DEP permit, Department personnel will advise you to consult a geologic and/or engineering professional to assess the problem. Ultimately, landowners are financially responsible for sinkhole repairs on their property.\* ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/49 "2019-12-01T23:47:14Z")
**[Moderating]** > [@](#): > > Quoth **chela** : > > I’m sorry I have no idea on how to factually address a possible sinkhole on someones property other than to call the authorities asap. ENtertaining anecdotes about exploding sinkholes and house eating craters could be helpful I suppose. And yet, you object to people suggesting to call the authorities ASAP. Since, by your own admission, you have no idea how to participate in this thread, I am officially directing you not to return to it. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/50 "2019-12-02T00:30:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > 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. Yikes. Glad they were able to fix it. I’m sure you’re aware of the [sinkhole problem](https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/10/28/port-authority-bus-sinkhole-downtown-pittsburgh/) we’re having here in the Burgh. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/51 "2019-12-02T01:04:56Z")
I just read that sinkholes, like earthquakes, are not covered under your normal homeowner’s insurance. You have to get special coverage or any expense in repairing them is on you. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2019, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/52 "2019-12-02T11:28:26Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Yikes. Glad they were able to fix it. > > I’m sure you’re aware of the [sinkhole problem](https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/10/28/port-authority-bus-sinkhole-downtown-pittsburgh/) we’re having here in the Burgh. 😃 Mass transit has always sucked in Pittsburgh. A shame it didn’t happen during Bettis’ playing days. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/53 "2019-12-02T14:07:27Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > … sinkholes, like earthquakes, are not covered under your normal homeowner’s insurance. You have to get special coverage … This makes sense: both are specific to limited areas (those with limestone near the surface, or near active faults). ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/54 "2019-12-02T14:19:28Z")
I don’t know what’s more fascinating – the sink hole discussion, or the fact that there’s a city in Pennsylvania called King of Prussia. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/55 "2019-12-02T15:18:18Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > I don’t know what’s more fascinating – the sink hole discussion, or the fact that there’s a city in Pennsylvania called King of Prussia. 😕 Where else would you have the King Of Prussia Mall? ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/56 "2019-12-02T21:21:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > 😕 Where else would you have the King Of Prussia Mall? He has a mall??? :eek: And they say that Monarchy is dead. Now I want to see a Sherlock Holmes story about their work for the King of Prussia, only for Watson to find out it’s a mall. ---
**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:** [December 2, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/57 "2019-12-02T21:35:55Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > He has a mall??? :eek: > > And they say that Monarchy is dead. > > Now I want to see a Sherlock Holmes story about their work for the King of Prussia, only for Watson to find out it’s a mall. It’s the largest Mall in America (for now). ---
**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:** [December 2, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/58 "2019-12-02T22:03:26Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > It’s the largest Mall in America (for now). It has surpassed Mall of America, but it was also the largest mall in America once before. That status changed around 1970 when my family moved to the area. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/59 "2019-12-02T23:08:33Z")
I hope to Heaven it isn’t an old mine shaft. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013/60 "2019-12-03T02:53:00Z")
There are also a number of places in Pennsylvania named after Prince Gallitzen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-sink-hole-on-my-property-what-do-i-do/844013.md?page=4)