I discovered what I think is a sinkhole....?

Question

There was a natural mote in my flowerbed so I decided to shape it a little more. When I was spraying it down my neighbor pointed out a hole. The hole seems to go down about 1 or two feet then the water looks like it runs off to either side. It is right next to my house. Is it a sinkhole? What kind of damage can it cause? Any way to fix it?

Answer 1

Something of this small size would prompt me to excavate a little before calling in any professionals.

Try to carefully shovel out the dirt about a foot around, minimizing collapse if you can.

A typical "sink hole", in a residential area, is often the result of decaying organic matter (think old outhouse) or a leaking pipe. If the area is relatively dry (beyond what you were doing with the hose) it is not likely your water pipe, but could be a drain pipe. You may have a French Drain system around the inside or outside of your foundation. Some rain gutters are piped underground. If there's a hole, water will leak out, wet the earth, and then when the level drops the mud oozes back into the pipe, creating that cavity and eventual hole.

Anyway, if the tunnels go horizontal, it's probably a critter. Then you can decide to deal with it directly or call an exterminator.

Answer 2

I'd call a professional because if it gets bigger
your house might get sucked down in to the earth
where the Garden Gnomes live.!!

Answer 3

for the size of it, as you described, I would first think that it is the home of some rodent, (rabbit, ground hog, or a very big rat)

Answer 4

it will rust the steel and crack the building.get it repaired soon.