Mine subsidence

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sirsholly -> Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 6:42:46 AM)
As some on here already know we are losing our farm due to long-wall mining. The mining company is buying it outright (at a surprisingly fair price) and giving us the option of renting until we find another home. There is a HUGE emotional issue involved here. This is our home!! I have lived here for my entire adult life and no matter how crazy things were i always had this little peice of paradise to come to. I do NOT want to leave. So...i am wondering if others have dealt with the issue of mine subsidence and if so...did you try to save the home or did you take the money and run? ETA: Apologies for an unclear post. The mining occured years ago.

kittinSol -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 6:49:51 AM)
Have you spoken to a specialist, who would be able to assess the risk to your home from the coal mining?

DarkSteven -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 7:15:11 AM)
Here in Colorado, there are many homes that were built over old coal mines that were filled back in. The subsidence is bad enough to have caused cracked driveways, foundations, etc. and that's AFTER the mining is done - I don't want to think about WHEN it's done.

Termyn8or -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 7:21:11 AM)
Right, if the deal isn't sealed right now you might be able to keep the house, you just won't have a farm anymore. The problem though, if what they are mining is right under the house it ain't gonna happen. It also depends on just how close they will get to the house. You might not be able to put up with the activity, and if you can't you are stuck with an unsaleable house. Things to consider. T

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 7:31:00 AM)
I should have said the long wall mining occured years ago. We noticed a few cracks in the foundation and called the mining company. They sent two inspectors and we had our own inspection done as well. The verdict was the same from all three. There IS damage, but not severe. The house can be saved now, but the future is uncertain. In Pa there is not requirement to fill the mines after the process is completed. If the mining had taken place directly under the house i really doubt we would have bought it. It was far enough away that we felt it would not be an issue.

Owner59 -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 7:58:51 AM)
Can you move the house? That`s not as hard as you might think and saves money too.

Termyn8or -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 8:35:35 AM)
It has to be one heck of a nice house to be worth moving. T

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 9:52:18 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Owner59 Can you move the house? That`s not as hard as you might think and saves money too. thanks Owner (and everyone else!!) One of the issues my husband has is the fear that since the ground is collapsing far from the actual long wall sight it could collapse anywhere we put the house. And Termy8or...it is an old farm house with all the issues you would expect an old farm house to have. I am answering your question as well as my op here. No..it is not worth moving. I was trying to explain to hubby why i was SO resistant to selling and the only thing i could come up with (stand back Fella's....i am about to sound very female) was to point to the front door and say i was carried over that threshold as a new bride and i crossed it as a new mom with a tiny loud bundle in my arms.

philosophy -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 9:54:34 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly i was carried over that threshold as a new bride and i crossed it as a new mom with a tiny loud bundle in my arms. ...so take the door and frame out and when you move reinstall it in the new place [:)]

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 10:04:17 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: philosophy quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly i was carried over that threshold as a new bride and i crossed it as a new mom with a tiny loud bundle in my arms. ...so take the door and frame out and when you move reinstall it in the new place [:)] LOL...that is just what hubby said!!!

kdsub -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 10:05:50 AM)
Just wondering is it an all or nothing onetime proposal from the company? Is there a possibility for negotiation? Maybe you can reach an agreement where a repair is tried in which you each share the cost 50 50. Then if at a later negotiated date the repair fails then they would buy out the house at a fair market price. You will both be taking a chance that the repair will work. If it does work the company is off the hook at a much reduced price. If it doesn't work you still get your house value minis your 50 percent of the repair. Seems to me it would be a fair compromise. Butch

philosophy -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 10:22:40 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly quote: ORIGINAL: philosophy quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly i was carried over that threshold as a new bride and i crossed it as a new mom with a tiny loud bundle in my arms. ...so take the door and frame out and when you move reinstall it in the new place [:)] LOL...that is just what hubby said!!! ...heh, great minds think alike........but, on a semi-serious note, don't be upset by this enforced move. What doesn't change doesn't grow and what doesn't grow doesn't live. You have an opportunity to make a new history for you and your family. New traditions, new customs. Old door, but new windows probably........

Lockit -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 10:33:25 AM)
I can't understand all of this, but it seems you don't really have a choice in whether you stay there or not. Even if you did, it sounds like the house could sustain more damage. I do understand how you feel about leaving... but have some thoughts on that. When you mentioned being carried through the door, my first thoughts was to take the whole door way with you. I would take things from the house that were specail and find a place or use for them in a new place. Getting creative, you would be surprised what you could do with things. A door turns into a headboard... a stained glass window put in a frame could hang in front of another window... you know? You will always have your memories. What I did once, was I took pictures of my favorite view from my favorite window. I took pictures of it with snow and without. I had my view not only in my mind, but now in a picture I could hang by my desk. I took plantings from the yard and even rocks! I brought 'home' to a new 'home' and blended the two and took the attitude that it was a new time in life and I was going to make it a great time. I really hope you can find some peace in this and will find a wonderful place to bring your treasures to!

KatyLied -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 10:37:50 AM)
Is it safe to stay in the house? Is it still possible to have it insured? I would not risk the safetey and wellbeing of my family because of threshold over a doorway. And for those who don't know, there are large portions of western Pennsylvania that are undermined. Chances are that if they move they would be trading one risk for another similar risk.

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:17:58 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kdsub Just wondering is it an all or nothing onetime proposal from the company? Is there a possibility for negotiation? Maybe you can reach an agreement where a repair is tried in which you each share the cost 50 50. Then if at a later negotiated date the repair fails then they would buy out the house at a fair market price. You will both be taking a chance that the repair will work. If it does work the company is off the hook at a much reduced price. If it doesn't work you still get your house value minis your 50 percent of the repair. Seems to me it would be a fair compromise. Butch The issue is the mining co is liable for "fair market value" only. The offer they made is quite a bit above the appraisal cost. We can back out now and decide to sell in the future but they can offer a much lower sum. As to repair work...here is the entire issue. If the ground has settled all it is going to, repairs can be done and paid for with the subsidence insurance. But...is it a lost cause? Is it worth the risk?

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:19:24 PM)
Philosphy and Lockit... Good advice from you both. Thank you[:)]

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:20:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: KatyLied Is it safe to stay in the house? Is it still possible to have it insured? I would not risk the safetey and wellbeing of my family because of threshold over a doorway. And for those who don't know, there are large portions of western Pennsylvania that are undermined. Chances are that if they move they would be trading one risk for another similar risk. I would never risk my families well being for anything, Katy.

VirginPotty -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:24:45 PM)
I like Lockit's idea and Philosophy's, uh, philosophy about starting a new history. If you do take the doorway, please do NOT forget the infamous SCREEN DOOR LATCH, ok? Just saying

KatyLied -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:25:21 PM)
Yes, I wasn't implying that you would, just saying that some things are more important than the structure and the threshold. My question for the experts involved would be: is there any way to save the house, shore it up or whatever to make it more stable. Perhaps there is a way to save the house. Are you being compensated and also able to remain at your property?

sirsholly -> RE: Mine subsidence (8/14/2008 12:31:58 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: KatyLied Yes, I wasn't implying that you would, just saying that some things are more important than the structure and the threshold. My question for the experts involved would be: is there any way to save the house, shore it up or whatever to make it more stable. Perhaps there is a way to save the house. Are you being compensated and also able to remain at your property? the house can be saved at this point and will, if all goes right, last another 100 years. But...we could have the work done and the rest of the mine could cave in if it has not done so already. There is no way to tell. The mining company is being surprisingly fair. They are buying the farm but giving us a lease, easily broken (as per our lawyer, if we find a new farm) with a very reasonable rent. Just having this thread has opened my eyes. We need to bale while we can. [:)]

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