When you’re considering a home remodel project, there are many things to keep in mind. You have to think about budget, which project you want to tackle first, which contractor you should go with, should you even do the project. On top of that, you want to be excited about a possible change and update to your home. With everything going on in your head, the last thing you want to be worried about is all that money and work being ruined by mine subsidence damage. So to ensure that you’re properly educated on the subject, we’re going to go over what mine subsidence damage is, what it looks like, and how it might affect your remodeling plans. Once you’re done reading this, you can then make an educated decision about your remodeling project.
What is Mine Subsidence Damage?
It’s defined as the ground movement caused by abandoned man-made mines that are collapsing and causing the ground to sink and shift. This is not only a scary and mostly unpredictable event, but it can cause significant damage to homes. The types of abandoned mines causing these issues are coal, clay, limestone, and fluorspar. While there are mines all over the United States, the concern about these mines comes up when a high volume of homes are built near these abandoned mines. The two places where this has become a significant problem are in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
A collapse or shift in the ground caused by these abandoned mines can reach across several acres. So just because you’re not right on top of one of these mines doesn’t mean you’re clear of danger. It’s important to note that it’s only considered a mine subsidence damage if man-made mines cause the sinking or shifting. If they are caused by natural shifts in the earth like landslides, earthquakes, or soil erosion, it’s not considered mine subsidence damage. This is especially important for insurance purposes. You can find out if you’re in danger of being affected by a possibly abandoned mine by checking out this map here.
What Does Mine Subsidence Damage Look Like?
The two most common varieties of mine sinking damage in Illinois are pit and sag. Pit damage is when the earth drops down at a severe angle and creates a hole. These often look like sinkholes and can be just as dangerous. Sag damage is less dramatic but covers a more expansive area and could even sink an entire house. Mine sinkage can take a few days or just a few hours to appear, making it a dangerous situation for those living in or around the homes it affects.
How Does it Affect My Home Renovation?
Often homeowners will wonder if they should spend the money on a remodel or move to a new home. In the case of possible mine subsidence damage, we might recommend moving more than renovation. When considering a home renovation project, one thing that is important to think about is your return on investment. A remodeling project can cost a lot of money, and if you aren’t sure you’ll get a good return on that money when you sell the home, it might not be a great idea to put it into your home.
If you live in an area where mine subsidence damage is expected, or there have been mine collapses in the past in areas around you, you might want to reconsider putting money into a home that’s in a danger zone.
While remodeling your home instead of moving is often a perfect option for those who don’t love their house but love their neighborhood. However, you might be putting your family and your home in danger by staying in an area where a mine collapse is possible.
While the home affected by mine subsidence damage is a small percentage of the houses across the United States, it’s still a massive concern for those in the danger zones. Find out if you’re in danger of one of these mines collapsing, and take those results into account when trying to decide if you should continue with your home remodel project.
