x
Breaking News
More () »

Bracing for a sinkhole: What you can do to protect your home

Twenty holes have developed in a Pasco County neighborhood this week.

HUDSON, Fla. — After 20 holes opened in a Pasco County neighborhood this week, you might have questions about how to protect your home from disaster.

Experts say there’s nothing you can do to prevent sinkholes, but you can be proactive.

RELATED: There's a massive cave system under Florida. This diver helped to map it out.

RELATED: Sinkhole season: What's causing the Pasco holes?

Step one: Check your gutter system. 

Experts say one of the biggest problems they see is gutters that don’t properly drain water away from the home. Water that pools around the home is more likely to give a sinkhole incentive to grow and damage your foundation.

Step two: Check your insurance. 

There’s no way around it: sinkhole insurance in Pasco County is expensive. But experts say the few thousand dollars extra you will pay each year pale in comparison to the tens of thousands you could have to pay if a sinkhole opens and you aren’t covered.

Step three: If a depression or hole has already opened at your home, consider underpinnings for your foundation. They can be costly, but a licensed sinkhole contractor can help you save your home by stabilizing the structure to prevent further damage.

What other people are reading right now:

Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.

Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Before You Leave, Check This Out