Curb Appeal- Part 3

In 2015 we finished the porch. In 2016 we began work of regrading our side and back yard to help keep the water away from the house. When it rains it pours. We spent so much time regrading and correcting settling and drainage issues only to continue having our basement floor drain to backup on a regular basis.

Problem

Our first step was to call in a couple plumbers to scope (send a camera down) the sewer line. The house was built in 1962 and the line was clay pipe from the porch to the street. We learned that the tree roots had broken into the pipe in a couple of spots.

Bids

The first bid gave us the option of spot fixing, cutting and replacing the broken section of about 8ft. The bid for this was about $1500. It was a cheaper solution but roots could invade in other parts of the clay pipe, especially in areas that already may have small cracks. Then there was the option to reline the pipe. This solution they would send a solution through the pipe starting within the house and run to the street. It would expand and coat the current pipe to create a new pipe within the old pipe. It sounded like the perfect answer until we learned that it wouldn't if it clogged we couldn't snake it. Not to mention it would cost about $13,000. My neighbor gave me the number to the excavation guy who replaced their line 2 years before. Yes, this is something that we noticed all neighbors have had done in the last 7 years. He would replace the entire line from the porch to curb for $2500! We were suppose to have our sewer line replaced in September but with rain their other projects were pushed back. Meaning ours was pushed back until October. At this point I didn't care as long as it got done before winter. It was perfect timing because rain and cold set in pretty quick afterwards. They started at 8am and finished before 3pm. Very impressed with their efficiency and willingness to show the kids what they were doing. Of course, the kids (along with neighbors) were plastered to the windows watching. We had been told the line was broken but when they dug it up the issue really looked like the pipe was laid running uphill. This caused the backup in our house. It did have a break but not enough to cause the issues we had been having. If we would have went for the more expensive option of "relining" the pipe, it wouldn't have worked completely and we would have to replace it anyway.

1 Year Later

When the sewer line was replaced the dirt was piled up so it could settle naturally. We watched it happen with the neighbors and even when we had foundation work done in 2010. Our neighbor had told us it took almost a year before it was finished settling. In early 2017 we installed a french drain around the house and connected it to the porch down spout. Then we extended both toward the road with a PVC pipe. At that time I was expecting our 3rd child and we were working on projects inside the house. Regrading was on our list but not a high priority.

 

The work we did do was a family effort.

2 Years Later

In 2018 my brother (MCS Land Clearing) was coming through town and had his skid-steer with him so he dropped by. Not only did he regraded the front/side yard but removed the mound of dirt the first guy left in our backyard. He used it as fill for where the sewer line had settled.

We have had a very wet winter so I have been going out and spreading seed and fertilizer hoping it will take soon.

2019

In January we had the trees trimmed and cleared out. Perfect timing because 3 days later we ended up getting 20 inches of snow! Not only did it help make the trees healthier and better looking but the dead limbs would have landed on the power lines and I'm pretty sure our neighbors wouldn't have liked being without power for a few days. We decided to list our house this year. While we have had a few bumps in the road, including Mark breaking his elbow and having surgery, I think we have pulled it together pretty well. Are there things I wanted to do still, YES! But overall the house has come together really well. Our goal is to continue working on small projects while we see how the market treats us.