Here is a bit of an update. Our side yard, sprinkler system, and our hand-crafted wrought iron fence, that bordered the construction site, collapsed in February. The collapse took out a five-foot-wide by 20-foot-long area of our side yard. The fence and side yard collapsed about eight feet down...
Also, DRC1, the building inspector said he gave them several options to support the earthen wall (all but one utilizing their own property for support), but they chose soil nails because it was the cheapest method. Since, they had other options available, the builder is most certainly liable.
DRC1--are you serious??! This was the neighbor's choice to remove their hillside, so they could have the convenience of a walk out side yard. It wasn't a natural event that caused my yard to start collapsing. It is all man made on their part.
(And, the gas main break was on the other side of...
I learned that our state adopted the 2006 International Building Code. Is there a similar code (protection of adjacent property) as in the UBC and CBC?
The builder called and wants to see bids for the repairs (cracking) to our house.
I don't know if the nails are permanent or temporary. Since...
Thanks for that info epongra2. I am going to research that for our state.
I would LOVE to know what they were thinking with this project. The only definitive piece of info I can add is the city building inspector, whom I called for help, told me the builder said they didn't know they had to...
I can now see that my descriptions have handicapped the discussion. I apologize and I am glad PEinc could see through them. I am sure that probably changes the loads on the rods. Yes, they still may cause issues some day tying up my yard, but at least I know my house won't collapse because of...
PEinc-those are very good points, if I am understanding you correctly. The soil nailing was added after they removed all the earth in their side yard, because of this collapse. This hillside spanned 20 feet from the side wall of the new house to our property line. And, from our property line to...
One thing I forgot to mention is that a good half to three-quarters of the dirt (removed for the 20' wall) was put back because our yard was starting to collapse. They needed an emergency support system, and so they spent three days putting back the dirt that it took four days to remove. The...
Thank you for all those explanations, PEInc.
Drilling sounds most reasonable and I would bet they'll do that, since they are on notice they can't cause vibrations anymore. We'll see what plan B turns out to be. I would certainly hope that things will be quieter from here on out. The...
dgillette, I agree with everything you wrote. And yes, I thought that maybe it was just a busy Friday for this geotech firm and they couldn't return my call. I understand that completely.
Yes, the contractor with the nails is the same as the cracks. Same project next door. We did raise hell...
What do you mean, PEinc? I am not following it. That the rods will never be an issue?? It very well could be (probably is) that these rods will never bother us, but I certainly want to explore all potential problems. Then we feel that we made an informed decision about them. The builder...
That might be a stretch, cvg, but I like that stretch!! It is a very interesting thought and I will add it to my list of questions.
It is unknown where these nails are located in relationship to the water and gas pipes. Like I wrote, I watched them drill them in wherever they could get them to...
There is no easement in this case and we won't grant one. We are adamant that we don't want 15 foot soil nails tying up our yard.
From what I have learned, I think the rods were to hold up the dirt only. They must have planned on attaching something to these nails to hold up the dirt wall and...
By the way, "Plan A" which was drilling the rods into our yard cost the neighbor $14,000. "Plan B" (I think it was driving I beams into their own property) which they chose not to do, would have cost $30,000. So, by utilizing our yard to drill the nails, the builder saved $16,000. That bit of...
I think what the builder did provides a lot of interesting fodder for debate here. I can't understand how the builder could do this and think it would be ok. Maybe it is common place in the construction business to drill the rods just to get the job done and face the consequences later?? Maybe...
That doesn't make sense to me. How can a private entity drill 15 foot nails into my yard, taking away my rights to excavate my own yard one day (without costing extra money and hassle to deal with the rods), and it not be considered damages? This isn't a city easement. It is the private property...
