Limestone and Sinkholes in East Tennessee
Much of East Tennessee sits on limestone and dolomite. Water slowly dissolves these rocks, and over time that can leave voids underground. Most homes are never affected, but it helps to know the signs.
Request a foundation inspectionWhat a sinkhole is
A sinkhole forms when soil collapses into a void in the rock below. Many are shallow depressions that appear slowly.
Signs in a yard
New depressions, circular patches of sunken soil, ponding where there wasn't any and cracks in the ground.
Signs in a house
Sudden new cracks, doors that start sticking quickly and settling in one area can sometimes be related.
Water's role
Concentrated water, like a downspout or broken pipe draining into one spot, can speed up soil loss into voids.
Don't fill and forget
Dumping dirt into a depression rarely fixes it. The cause needs to be understood.
Who to call
For suspected sinkholes near a house, a foundation contractor or geotechnical engineer can assess the risk.
Repairs
Repairs may involve piers to rock or grouting voids, depending on what's found.
Most cracks aren't sinkholes
Most foundation movement here is from water and soil, not sinkholes. Start with drainage.
Next
More foundation repair guides
Request a foundation inspection
Cracks, sloping floors, sticking doors and damp crawl spaces. Tell us what you're seeing and we'll pass it straight to a foundation contractor, who will call you to set up an inspection and quote.
- Crawl spaces, basements and slabs
- Knoxville, Karns, Lenoir City, Clinton and nearby
- Get an inspection and quote before any work
Cracks, sloping floors or a wet basement?
Send a request and a foundation contractor will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
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