Sinkhole Repair

Sinkholes and trash pits are very common in Atlanta and occur in areas where previous construction projects bury debris such as trees, rotting stumps, trash, and other materials underground. What happens over time is these materials decay, causing a collapse of the underground bedrock to form a hole or depression in the ground's surface. Another reason for Atlanta sinkholes is due to old sewer pipes that are left underground by the city, which is information rarely disclosed to homeowners when purchasing property. Other activities such as drilling, mining, construction, and even heavy traffic can also weaken the surface of the earth and potentially form a sinkhole.

Sinkholes in Atlanta, GA more often occur from man-made causes, but they can also happen as a result of natural erosion or underground water sources that weaken bedrock and erode minerals in the soil, forming a depression in the earth's surface. Bedrock made of limestone, carbonate rock, and salt deposits are particularly at risk for forming sinkholes.

The most important step of properly repairing Atlanta sinkholes is identifying the root cause. Many homeowners will simply pour dirt or other materials in the sinkhole to fill it up temporarily. This method is improper, dangerous, and will actually speed up the decaying process - it will not fix the issue. If dirt is simply added to the sinking area, it will only add more weight to the weakened surface and actually cause it to sink even faster, especially when it gets wet.

The only way to properly repair a sinkhole is to find its root source, which requires extensive excavation and fully cleaning out the trash pit. The sinkhole will not go away until the underground debris is fully cleaned out and removed. Because the debris can be deep underground, excavation allows for full visibility to the size and depth of the trash or other debris causing the sinkhole's surface depression. A professional sinkhole repair company is strongly recommended, because you can never tell if the sinkhole is large or small until comprehensive excavation is complete.