Thousands of homeowners have relied on Geo-Logical to learn the truth about their engineering reports.
We’ve assembled the most common questions for you here, along with detailed answers. For a confidential, professional and free evaluation of your engineering report, call us 727-232-8000 or send us your report by filling out the form on the right side of this page. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners clearly understand all the facts about sinkholes, their coverage and the options available to them.
Do I have a sinkhole or not?
This is the purpose of the investigation and sometimes the results aren’t clear. Regardless of which engineering firm prepared the report, they’re licensed professionals relying on years of education and field experience to make their evaluations. We’ll help you understand each section of your soils report.
Is my family in danger?
In most cases, no. Sinkholes rarely collapse and when they do there is usually time to clear the area. If the engineer finds evidence of imminent collapse they will notify you immediately.
Is the engineer on my side or the insurance companies?
A licensed, professional engineer is on the side of truth. They make decisions everyday that protect public safety. Whether it’s you or your insurance company paying their invoice has absolutely no impact on their professional opinion. If someone is telling you otherwise, be wary.
How will a sinkhole affect my property value?
Sinkholes are a common occurance in Florida. The best way to protect your proerty value is to complete repairs in accordance with the engineers recommendation. Consider this…after your repairs are completed, tens of thousands will have been invested to arrest sinkhole conditions and strengthen the soil beneath your home. You’ll have all the documentation to prove it and that gives your home a distinct advantage over the unknown conditions beneath competing properties.
What types of tests are performed?
Engineers use a variety of testing methods to understand what has caused a structure to move. These commonly include test pits, hand auger borings, ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity scans, cone penetrometer tests and deep soil borings.
What is GPR?
GPR stands for Ground Penetrating Radar. It’s used by geophysicists to identify anomalies within soil. This is useful for many reasons, including helping to determine the placement of deep soil borings.
What are SPT’s or Borings?
SPT stands for Soil Penetration Test, also commonly referred to as borings, deep borings and deep soil borings. After locating underground utilities, a hole is drilled from the ground surface down into the limestone. The depth of this test varies widely and engineers will sometimes stop before finding rock. As the hole is advanced, soil samples are taken using a split spoon sampler. This tells us which types of soil are present and the strength/density of that soil.
Do I need underpinning?
Underpins are used for two purposes: to transfer the load of a structure to a deeper more competent soil layer (frequently limestone) and to lift a structure back to its original elevation. This is specified by the engineer to treat the symptoms of ground settlement. Underpins do not repair weak soils and they do not make your home sinkhole proof. At Geo-Logical, we have the most experienced and professional underpinning team in the industry and are frequently trusted with the most critical projects.
Why do I need compaction grouting?
Compaction grouting is the only way to address the cause of sinkhole related ground movement. Sinkholes develop because soil is able to migrate through openings in the limestone called solution channels. Think of them like the neck of an hourglass. Compaction grouting is how we clog that neck and return load bearing capacity to the surrounding soils that support your home.
