Living in Georgia doesn’t mean that one is completely safe from a sinkhole “showing up” in their landscape. Sure, there are areas of the country where sinkholes can be more of an issue. But, being an Atlanta property owner doesn’t mean that sinkholes won’t occur. Consequently, the best action you can take regarding sinkholes is to learn what you can about these nuisances and what can be done about them.

5 FAQs Regarding Sinkholes

1. Why sinkholes appear? Sinkholes can be due to both natural and manmade causes. Natural sinkholes are most common in terrain that is rich in limestone, gypsum, salt beads and where other carbonate rocks can be dissolved. When water erodes the rocks, a pit can be formed, and the sinkhole is formed. However, a sinkhole can also be the result of a construction company’s burying debris at various points of the building project.
2. Is there more than one type of sinkhole? Yes. Manmade sinkholes can be divided into 3 types. A development hole is dug by a builder at the onset of a new build to dispose (incorrectly) of debris. A lot cleaning hole is built toward the end of the foundation, and a clean-up hole is done when the job is completed and the company opts to bury the detritus of building.  These holes can be 10-15 feet deep. Natural sinkholes are divided into cover-subsidence holes and result due to the wearing down of soluble rock; cover collapse holes are typically triggered by a heavy rainfall or drought that rapidly removes the material making it possible for the sediment that covered the void to disappear. Consequently, cover collapse sinkholes are thought to be more threatening.
3. How can I identify a potential sinkhole? Periodically, walk around your yard and check for small holes in the ground or cracks along your home’s foundation. If your yard has a significant amount of soluble rock or you suspect that the builder took some shortcuts, you will need to be especially vigilant. 9If you aren’t sure about the type(s) of rocks in your property, you may want to get a geological survey.
4. What are some common areas in a yard that a sinkhole is most likely to occur? Sinkholes can occur anywhere, but common places are near a buried water or sewer line, along any easements, near old wells or utilities, as a result of having a large tree stump removed or anywhere that large rocks may have been buried to aid in the construction of the lot itself.
5. How to deal with sinkholes? Dealing with sinkholes -especially deep ones - is not a task for the weekend DIYer! If you suspect a sinkhole may occur or have recently been surprised by an unplanned pit in your yard, talk to an Outdoor Makeover & Construction team member asap! If the hole is close to your home, then you should get out until the situation can be assessed by a pro. Sinkholes can happen at any time. But, thankfully, they don’t have to be a permanent feature of your property. If you suspect that your property might be especially prone to having a sinkhole, or have recently had a sinkhole develop, then contact the Outdoor Makeover & Construction team today.

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It comes with the territory – having a home, especially in Georgia, means part of the landscape includes an air conditioning unit. And, rarely is that AC unit an attractive aspect of the landscape. Furthermore, many homes also have an above ground tank for gas heating. This means as a homeowner, you now have 2 unsightly elements in your landscape that you cannot just move to a new location. However, if you find yourself dealing with one of these eyesores – or perhaps some other item that is less than attractive-then don’t despair. There are landscaping tips and tricks that can be done to keep those elements functional but not necessarily front and center.

5 Ways to Use Landscaping to Hide Unsightly Yard Elements

The two most common items homeowners want to hide via landscaping are the air conditioning unit and, if applicable, the gas tank. Each of these may be needed, but that doesn’t mean they are pretty. Here are some ideas for disguising them, while still allowing them to be functional and accessible.

Use a Screen, Trellis, Section of Fencing or Lattice

Simply set up one of these items, being sure to allow for maintenance people to still access the unit, and then you can dress it up with easy-to-maintain vines, climbing roses, or other ornamentation. This is perfect for either the AC unit or the gas tank.

Also Read: How to Use Your Outside Entertainment Area in a better way?

Landscape Around AC Unit

Whether you opt for lattice boards, stained deck boards, or upgrading pallets, landscaping around ac unit is one of the easiest ways to turn the ugly box into a work of art. You can design the box to be 5-sided so you can lift it up and access the AC unit, or put a hinged door on it to make access easy. Whatever you decide, you have now hidden that ugly metal unit.

Large Moveable Pottery

Go to a garden store, or talk to an Outdoor Makeover & Construction team member, about getting large decorative pots and then plant bright-colored flowers or elegant grasses in them to obscure the view. This is especially helpful if you do a lot of summer entertaining and want to hide them during peak outside entertainment times. Even better, depending on what you plant, you can always change the plants each year for a totally different look! If you want coverage year-round consider the next idea.

Create a Windbreak with Shrubbery

There are many types of shrubbery that are perfect for hiding your AC unit or tank year-round. As an added bonus, they will protect your air conditioner unit from severe weather. Just be sure you leave a couple of feet between the width of the plants and the AC unit and that it is accessible on at least one side. Plants that lend themselves well to this are boxwoods, cypress, cedar, and spruce.

Have a Gravel Garden

Want low or no maintenance? Consider a gravel garden. Both the tank and AC unit are typically set up on bricks, so simply spread gravel around them. Finish off the space with edging stones for a tailored finish. You can add a splash of color with a garden within the rocked area. Great choices would be plants that require little water, paired with some decorative rocks, or even a quirky pondless fountain. Your gas tank or AC unit doesn’t have to be the ugly part of otherwise beautiful landscaping. In no time at all, you can make it into an acceptable part of the landscape. Talk to the Outdoor Makeover & Construction team to learn how we can help.

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The maintenance of your front yard is one of the most important aspects of home ownership. We've done a lot of talking about how your outdoor living space should reflect not only your personality, but should also reflect the care you put into your home and your front yard is no different. It is the first thing people see when they look at your home. You want your front yard to be inviting and engaging yet not cluttered with too many conflicting aesthetics. Here are some ways to bring unique visual qualities to your front yard without going overboard.

1. Use symmetry to your benefit: One of the main rules of aesthetics is symmetry is key. It provides your front yard with balance so everything feels as if it is in the write place. Have your landscape designer come up with a design that seems like each side of your yard is a perfect image of the other.
2. Make sure your front yard has enough color: Color brings a certain vibrance and liveliness to everything especially in nature. You can achieve this by having a colorful porch or flowerbed surrounding your yard.
3. Edging: Odds are you have a concrete walkway to your front door or a concrete driveway. Just having the plain gray concrete in contrast to your grass isn't nearly as appealing as a homeowner would like. Using some thoughtful landscaping as a way to transition from your driveway or sidewalk to the actual yard, i.e. shrubs, mulch, flower beds can add much needed curb appeal to your driveway/walkway.
4. Stonescaping: For those who aren't aware, stonescaping is using various stones to bring a textured and worldly aesthetic to your outdoor landscape. Stonescaping can range from a stone walkway to having a rock wall along the property. It can add a modern spin to your front yard and provide a sharp contrast from the softness of your natural landscape.

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