We have been in our house for almost 2 years. Our builder did not do a satisfactory job of putting in a lawn, so the first fall we were here, we had a garden center bring in a Bobcat and work out the lawn and reseed it. Back last February, after a hard freeze and thaw, a large hole (3 ft. by 2 ft. by 2 ft. deep) appeared in the ground and the grass sank into the hole. The garden center refilled the hole and reseeded, but they did not know what caused it. This fall, after a drought summer, we have received a great deal of rain, and the hole reappeared in the same place. On top of that, two other holes have appeared. They seem to be in a line, several feet apart.

What could be causing this? Is it dangerous to our home? Is there any way to stop them, other than continually refilling them? As far as we know, we are not over a covered river or stream. It doesn't seem to be happening to other homes in our neighborhood.

Help!

Subsidence can happen for years after the ground has been dug up. However a 2' drop like you describe is almost a perfect half of a ball. I would dig down to see what is going on. There are companies that do core sample to test the soil, are there sink holes in your neck of the woods?

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I didn't even know where to start to find someone to answer the question.

There aren't sink holes to my knowledge. That was my first thought, but we're in Kentucky, not Florida, and I don't think there is a reputation in this area for that.

The holes are beginning to be in a line from the street angling toward our house. Could it be a sewer or water line? We've not smelled any offensive odors. However, the grass nearest the oldest hole that we've filled twice is very green compared to the other grass in the yard that is beginning to be winter worn.

Who (what type of business) would I call first to check it out?

We did stick a shovel in last summer before we filled the first one, but didn't notice anything but dirt. We have very clay soil in this area, and it gets very mucky and gummy.

Thanks again for answering. Any suggestions you can give would be much appreciated.

Straight line from the house to the stream sounds like a sewer line or water line. Unless of course you aren't on top of a caol shaft in Kentucky. If its all on your property the city likely will not do anything but I'd call sewer and water dept. anyway just to check. Both pipes are below the frost line so you'd need to be digging several feet before you'd find much.