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Hi
We have a big maple tree outside the house and for the second time this year its roots (according to sewer company specialist) grow into a most likely PVC sewer pipe(at least "PVC looks like" pipe is going out of the basement). City Hall refuse "remove healthy tree" and as inspector says its root system should not cost the problem. Tree was only trimmed by public works dept as a result of our intervention.
(in addition to pipe potential damage it looks like tree roots made part of a sidewalk crush too)
What are my options/next step ? Should I make written complain to city hall ? Does it even make any sense to follow up or I should just relieve clog in the sewer pipe? It is a temporary solution I assume and not that cheap, though...
Before you fight City Hall, you're going to have to get your ducks in a row and get some evidence. Like a camera shoved down the pipe in question and a photo of some tree roots inside it. Otherwise it's all speculation about the tree being the problem and not an excess in toilet paper.
You can write all the letters you want to, but without some kind of verifiable evidence that it is the tree's roots, they're not going to do anything based on your specialist's speculation.
Hi
We have a big maple tree outside the house and for the second time this year its roots (according to sewer company specialist) grow into a most likely PVC sewer pipe(at least "PVC looks like" pipe is going out of the basement). City Hall refuse "remove healthy tree" and as inspector says its root system should not cost the problem. Tree was only trimmed by public works dept as a result of our intervention.
(in addition to pipe potential damage it looks like tree roots made part of a sidewalk crush too)
What are my options/next step ? Should I make written complain to city hall ? Does it even make any sense to follow up or I should just relieve clog in the sewer pipe? It is a temporary solution I assume and not that cheap, though...
Are you sure it's this specific tree?
Quote:
The same shallow root system that helps maples thrive in the wild creates problems in backyards. Strong surface roots clog or damage sewer systems, crack and tilt sidewalks and enter drain lines.
Definitely take care of the issue (most likely you will have to pay for it anyway, I've never heard of a city/town compensate a homeowner for city/town trees causing issues for a private homeowner or business, but I could be wrong) ASAP so it doesn't get any worse.
Call the company that will be doing the repair work and ask for a written estimate (if you don't already have one) with the problem of "tree roots" spelled out very clearly. You could start with that.
Then call the City Manager's office and ask to be directed to someone (supervisor) who can help you - explain that you have already dealt with an inspector and you don't feel he was correct in his estimation of the problem.
I've been there & done that, we had to replace sidewalks to the tune of $8K+ for one property (corner property) because of city trees. However, the trees (in perfectly good shape) were removed and the stumps ground down by the city public works dept.
Yes, I got it on CD recording that roots are grown into the pipe. There is no other tree around , just some 2 ft high bushes that are maybe 4 ft long on my property. I think its roots can not rich that deep but I don't know for sure. Nevertheless I think they(bush's roots) are not that thick as camera showed. Would recording and lack of trees on my side of the street (on my , and my next door neighbor's properties) be sufficient evidence in your opinion?
Also I saw at least 2 (not different in health from what I could "estimate") maple trees located exactly like the one I have problem with removed. Most likely by city hall crew.
I've been there & done that, we had to replace sidewalks to the tune of $8K+ for one property (corner property) because of city trees. However, the trees (in perfectly good shape) were removed and the stumps ground down by the city public works dept.
Were you responsible for the bill for sidewalk repair? Mine is build from more less 4ftx2ft concrete tiles and they are not evenly leveled anymore . I think because of the roots itself and huge roots are even visible around (also on my property).
Were you responsible for the bill for sidewalk repair? Mine is build from more less 4ftx2ft concrete tiles and they are not evenly leveled anymore . I think because of the roots itself and huge roots are even visible around (also on my property).
Yes, property owners in that city have to pay for sidewalk maintenance.
If the city isn't giving you a hard time about them maybe they aren't bad enough to require replacement.
We were given notification and a timeline to fix them by or else we would start receiving fines.
If a town tree destroys sidewalk you're responsible for, you could theoretically sue the town for the cost of sidewalk repair. For $8K it's probably worth the trouble.
I had a town tree drop a large branch in my driveway a couple of days ago; the town actually removed it same day. Guess my taxes actually pay for _something_.
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