What to Do?

[Waxman]

Okay, as you may or may not know, my sewer line recently froze.

The cause? It was placed only 3 feet below grade.

Talked to the engineer. He confirmed what I thought; ground cover is spec'd at 4 feet.

I will be receiving the following invoices: pumping my tank twice by a septic hauler. Having a plumber cut a hole in the pvc leaving tank and run a thaw tube down the line. Plus 3 hours of lost business.

This summer I need to open cut the pavement and either move the line lower or insulate it with 2" rigid foam.

I think the contractor should've known better and followed the plans.

How would YOU handle a situation like this???

 

[pitzerwm]

File against his bond. If 4' is the code, he screwed up.

 

[MEP001]

I agree, and it's surprising that you got your permits with it the way it is. You shouldn't have to be out-of-pocket on this.

 

[Louise]

How did that pass inspection??

 

[Plow Guy]

How far below grade is your water line? If drilling the hole gets you through the winter, Is this a temporary fix or the solution? How deep is the sewer main. A line equal depth below grade will freeze under a driveway before it will in an open field, is 4 Ft. enough.I understand it was not installed to your engineers drawing,let me put it this way, was the design for the norm, fifty year flood, or a one hundred year flood. Will it be better installed at 4 Ft. with insulation.Good luck.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Was the finish grade within 6" when the water/sewer was installed? When I worked construction that was our spec to make sure we were at a proper depth. If we weren't within 6", it had to be marked all over the prints, letting us know how deep we should go. I am playing more of a devil's advocate right now since I am familiar with this type of thing.

Good Luck, keep us posted.

 

[Waxman]

The print clearly states 4' of ground cover required.

Sewer plant says they didn't inspect depth of pipe leaving tank.

Civil engineer says they did not inspect depth of pipe leaving tank.

I am sure contractor will say he did everything perfectly.

Got a call into my lawyer, just to be sure I proceed properly in all conversations henceforth!

At least I am washing cars!

ps; The town's bldg. inspector is in the Caribbean till Tuesday!

 

[Kevin James]

I don?t think you?ve got much of a chance in getting anyone to pay or do much for anything. Here?s what they are going to say, ?Why didn?t it freeze the first or second years that it was installed?. ?It was installed correctly by us and when the pavers paved the lot they took it down before 4 feet?. ?You added on to the system when you built a new shop on the property?. There are a million things that they can say to pass the blame on to some one else. You can send a lot of money on hiring an attorney and still not get anywhere. If I where the contractor and you told me that you had talked to an attorney it would be our last conversation.

 

[MEP001]

I don’t think you’ve got much of a chance in getting anyone to pay or do much for anything.

There's no harm in trying.

It shouldn't be hard for someone to figure out what was done improperly. "Below grade" is easily measured and can't be altered by just scooping away some dirt.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I'm with MEP, you can't take sh*t like this lying down.

Fight it, and get the responsible party to rectify the situation.