crawlspace, liability?
#1
10-27-02, 05:35 AM
crawlspace, liability?
Folks:
I have a contractor who has bid on some excavation on my back yard to set the slope correctly, since previous owner never took a good look at his crawlspace. The corrected slope would cause the H2O to run to the sides as usual. From what we saw, it looks like it will make next door's problem worse since he is only 9 feet to the side and his yard is level within 10 feet of his house. Since that house is pending sale, I don't yet know if prospective buyer had a thourough check performed (which is his problem). He probably has a dampness problem in his crawlspace as well, from looking at the slope of his yard.
Naturally, I don't want anything in the future to bite me, such as worsening the problem on the neighbor's side. I may speak to new owners later when they move in.
What are your thoughts?
I have a contractor who has bid on some excavation on my back yard to set the slope correctly, since previous owner never took a good look at his crawlspace. The corrected slope would cause the H2O to run to the sides as usual. From what we saw, it looks like it will make next door's problem worse since he is only 9 feet to the side and his yard is level within 10 feet of his house. Since that house is pending sale, I don't yet know if prospective buyer had a thourough check performed (which is his problem). He probably has a dampness problem in his crawlspace as well, from looking at the slope of his yard.
Naturally, I don't want anything in the future to bite me, such as worsening the problem on the neighbor's side. I may speak to new owners later when they move in.
What are your thoughts?
#2
10-27-02, 05:53 AM
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firstshift,
Situations like this have become more apparent whaere I live and the requirements now when applying for a permit require site survey showing grade elevations and how one's property will not create drainage problems for their neighbors.
Lawsuits have been filed where this has created problems for neighbors because the law says the responsibility of improper grade is the property owner that created it, regardless of the neighbors grade.
Solution:
Since you are planning on improving your grade, it may be wise to install perforated drain with p-gravel about 18 to 24 inches below grade and try to run this toward a slope parallel to your home and pitched toward a slope that would not create problems. This has worked extremely well for neighbors and in fact has created better drainage for your own property as well. If iat all possible, try to make a small swale between the property, but if you can't, the drain tile will resolve any issues imporper grading that would create problems.
Check with your local building officials to confirm what I have referred to.
Hope this helps!
Situations like this have become more apparent whaere I live and the requirements now when applying for a permit require site survey showing grade elevations and how one's property will not create drainage problems for their neighbors.
Lawsuits have been filed where this has created problems for neighbors because the law says the responsibility of improper grade is the property owner that created it, regardless of the neighbors grade.
Solution:
Since you are planning on improving your grade, it may be wise to install perforated drain with p-gravel about 18 to 24 inches below grade and try to run this toward a slope parallel to your home and pitched toward a slope that would not create problems. This has worked extremely well for neighbors and in fact has created better drainage for your own property as well. If iat all possible, try to make a small swale between the property, but if you can't, the drain tile will resolve any issues imporper grading that would create problems.
Check with your local building officials to confirm what I have referred to.
Hope this helps!
