In the event a sinkhole is discovered, action should be taken quickly to resolve the problem to prevent additional, on-going damage. Insurance companies may offer immediate assistance, if the cause of the damage is a covered loss (see Insurance Coverage for Settlement Damage). A comprehensive repair program should include most, if not all of the following: Repair Surface Damage Repairs for all damage to the structure, including repairs to the walls, foundation, and roof should be undertaken. Additionally, once the soil remediation is complete, it may be necessary to perform additional repairs as there may be subsequent shifting of the soils beneath the structure. The fact that cracking occurs after the subsurface has been remediated does not mean that the process failed. Subsequent settlement cracking is common and is often only cosmetic in nature. Remediate the Subsurface There are two primary methods for remediating the subsurface: compaction grouting and underpinning. Compaction grouting is a process where a solution similar to concrete is injected beneath the subsurface. This process is designed to fill voids in the soil and add additional strength to the soil materials. Underpinning is a process where large pins resembling stilts are placed beneath the structure, shifting the weight of the building to a deeper, more stable depth. Underpins can be used to shift the weight of the structure to the limestone level itself, if the limestone surface has not been compromised by the cause of the settlement. It is not uncommon for property owners to need to conduct additional repairs weeks or months after the soil remediation because the specific solution that was undertaken did not completely resolve the problem. While these subsequent repairs are common, it is common for legal disputes to erupt between the property owner, the insurance company, and the project engineer. Because of the scientific complexity of these issues, finding counsel able to handle such a matter can be difficult (see Locating Qualified Professionals in Your Area)