Upon learning you have a sinkhole affecting your house, one of the most important items you must address in a timely manner is – How to choose a good contractor, who specializes in soil stabilization, for performing the stabilization work. This may have a huge impact on not only the quality of stabilization repairs you receive, but also on the degree of disruption of a much desired normal lifestyle that not only you but also your neighbors will be enduring during that difficult process of stabilization.

Stabilizing A Sinkhole

If your house is being stabilized due to sinkhole issues, the most common soil stabilization method consists of a program of low mobility fill grouting and pressure grouting to fill voids or loose rock in the upper portion of the limestone, densify loose and soft soils overlying the limestone surface, and prevent overlying soils from raveling into the limestone. Also, it is possible a limited polyurethane grouting program may be implemented to stabilize the very loose to loose surficial soils immediately beneath the footing. These can be noisy, invasive, dusty operations that affect the comfortable living style of both you and your neighbors. Of course even more important than all this temporary discomfort is being assured the entire operation is completed to the satisfaction of the Engineer of Record.

The Contractor’s Integrity

There is a wide range of variation in quality of work performance, cleanliness of work area, professionalism of field crews, experience of field crews, and equipment from one contractor to another. This highly specialty field has recently been flooded with contractors who really tell a great story, may have a pretty web site, may have a slick sales gal or guy, may have a lot of money spent on advertising but may not know or care a thing about anything except getting your money and moving on. Then of course there are a lot of people or entities that may have a “brother-in-law” or “friend” who would love to help you out. Really – is this what you want to turn the future safety of your house over to? Your home is quite possibly the most important or costly material item you may own and you should be sure you are not swayed by anybody who has ulterior motives.

Stay tuned in and as an independent observer who works with various homeowners, contractors, and insurers I will present some helpful tips for you to consider when choosing the best contractor for your stabilization situation.