New Sewers, Someone's mistake

The contractor has been working on our sewers now for 3 years. We are to have new sewer, instead of septic tanks and drain fields and new storm drains and sidewalks. They were supposed to be commissioned for hook up by 6/01/03. We have had to deal with big trucks, backhoes, etc for all this time, dirt, rumbling, cracking walls in the house, and what not. However, June came and went and no sewer yet. Someone left a leak in the pipes underground and no one wanted to own up to fixing it. We got storm drains now, which we didn't have before. (Our street never flooded before anyway) Well this is a good thing, however, during the process of setting up these storm drains, someone forgot to figure in the safety factor of the dip (grade) of the concrete from the sidewalk down to the storm drain. So instead of decreasing the grade, they gave us these montrous steel railings to increase the safety factor. We are talking about a 4 block by 12 block area. Some were right and some were wrong. In front of my house and directly across the street, they were wrong so we got the railings. Ugliest bit of hardscape ya ever did see. There isn't a thing we can do about it except try to camouflage the things. I am trying to root some bleeding heart vines (they're shocky now)and they didnt look too well, so I also planted some morning glory seeds hoping they will all grow over this ugly thing...soon.

Okay, so let me get the rest of it off my mind. Next week the plumbing contractor will be here to dig ditches around my house to the waste connection. THe plumber has already told me that if I'm there to complain about the damage he has to do, he will walk off the job. Pretty cocky, but the man has had our deposit now for a year and we are pretty well locked into the deal.

So I have to leave specific instructions with my DH on where they can dig, pile dirt etc because the plumber will take instructions from a man much better than from a woman. Geeze, what century is this anyway?
Next week I'll be moaning and crying over all the damage done to my garden. For now I guess I'm ready to shut up.

Good grief! That is awful, I'd be yelling my head off!
But now you know why I live on 18 acres, and where I can't see the road or the neighbors :)

I feel for you lady!

Is there a place to pin a note on the plumber with the # for the Better Business Bureau- and small claims court-sounds like he needs a boot in the backside-dragging feet for making a mess.
Have had to clean up mess like that, wish I had done the pin and note thing.
Wishing you good luck!!

Really, I'd be talking to the media if he persists. That's awful.

OMG..Molly, there is no other word for it..just plain ugly. I feel for you hon. Went through a state Hwy Dept. road grade last summer myself..can identify with much of what you stated ..the heavy equipment, inconvenience and some plaster cracking. I came home one day and my mailbox garden was destroyed...buried under road rubble. My adorable mailbox, which was hand-painted and purchased at a local crafts fair was replaced with government issue. The poor guy I caught taking it out told me on the side in a whisper that I could replace it the next summer after the final inspection. All I can say is..this too will pass..and get those moring glories going!
Chin up,
Ladibug

Good luck...we're going through our own "waste" problem as well.

You have every reason to be upset I'd be hopping mad myself. And the rudeness, good grief!

They did this to our little town too. Only 290 people there. This job got almost done last fall, still have to landscape all the yards. (They converted everyone from septic tanks to central system.) All the lines were put in back in the 50's when they paved all the streets. So all they had to do was hook up each house & business. Big probelm came because old septics had to be filled or removed. Some were under garages, back porches, & city halls was in the middle of the basement!
This company, in the contract had to finish the work by a certain date or be fined. They finished early!
They are supposed to come back in spring to put topsoil back & refill anything that has settled. Also rebuild sidewalks & driveways they had to tear-up.
Bernie

The good news is, that plumbing contractor didnt show up when he said he would. DH said get another guy and he would fight to get our deposit back.

The more good news is, I hired another guy, much nicer and accomodating and they will be here Thursday to start digging. Plus $300.00 less money for the job. He seems to be good, he's already done some of our neighbors.

The bad news is, the bleeding heart looks dead, but the morning glories have sprouted, now...grow...grow...grow

:^)
Molly

MollyMc, keep us updated on how it turns out! Best of luck!

Hope everything works out well for both pocketbook and plants, Molly! :)

hey don't think of it as a ugly eyesore, think of it as a FREE trellis lol

The new plumber was here today and dug the trench around the house for the new sewer lines. He did an admirable job of not tearing up my flower beds. My potting shelf/trellis is fine and I'm happy as a clam. Tomorrow they put the pipes in and by Thursday we should have inspection and the trench will be filled.

Now we're getting there. I need to get the truck to bring over some sod and a couple yards of topsoil. We'll be laying sod in several areas of the yard now.

Still waiting on those morning glories to grow on that rail in the front.

Thank you everyone for your words of support and encouragement.

:^) Molly

They had to come down the side of the house from the street, make a right turn along the back of the house. See what a nice job they did? Careful to not dig up or pile dirt on any of the flower beds.

Wow what a great guy!! I love it when someone you are paying is actually trying to keep you happy.

That's great, Molly. What a relief after everything else. Be sure to put in a good word for them with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau!

The trenches are buried back again and the ground is flat.

DH spent the day yesterday tracking down the sprinkler pipes to lay some new ones and put in new sprinkler heads. We cut up a million roots that were growing off those trees. Then I went off in search of sod and soil and mulch. Who could deliver fastest and cheapest. That was a chore. I never realized how much the cost of sod could be when you add up the total square footage. They are delivering this afternoon and I will be breaking my back until dark. (We had another corner of the yard that was grassless so we took down a tree, so more sod needed)

The morning glories by the storm drain railing have sprouted and are starting to climb. I also had planted some bleeding heart vine which although having a tough time establishing, seems not to have died, so it might make it too.

Thank you all for your good thoughts and words of encouragement. We are getting there and I think the yard will be better than ever. I will post pictures soon.

:^)
Molly

We hauled top soil/sand mix to the areas we planned to re-sod, got the sod down everywhere needed, planted some old plants, some new plants and some plants that have been waiting for this project to be finished. Funny thing is, we've always had trouble getting grass to grow in the front. With a tree gone, and another trimmed up, we may have more light for grass now.

Here's the back

And another view of the side. I'm so happy, things are coming back together, better than before. The morning glories at the rail in the front by the storm drain are taking off. Yesterday I had a purple and a Milky Way bloom. The Bleeding Heart vines look like they will survive too.

:^)

Molly

Wow, that looks great. Good for you! :)

It really looks great. You've done a wonderful job dealing with Broward County mess-ups. Been there, done that with Dade!
Pati