Plumbing update
Back in November, I was discussing our plumbing woes and thought I'd post an update. In a nutshell, our entire sewer line is being replaced because of old clay pipes that are being clogged with roots. We found a plumber who agreed to hand dig the line to avoid disrupting the landscape and he even came up with a different option that none of the other plumbers had mentioned. He suggested placing a pump in our basement and installing a new line that would only be 2 feet below the ground surface as opposed to 7 or 8 like the old one. (We were told that the "pipe bursting" technique, which I had high hopes for, wouldn't work for us because the lines had to be within 15 years old and laying on a gravel bed - whatever!)
The work started the week before Christmas and is still not completed, mainly due to rainy weather (I'm not going to complain about that!). Our estimate was 5 days work but in all honesty, the work hasn't bothered us that much. In fact, we (so far) have been pleased. The plumbers were very careful hand digging the trench which runs from our basement through a heavily landscaped area outside. A few rhododendron limbs was the only damage I saw.
This week though, things are looking a bit messy. Once they reached the driveway area in front of our garage and guesthouse (which serves as Christmas tree storage space) a backhoe was used and I was a bit shocked when I saw the outcome. Several limbs on the dogwood were broken off and everything in a planting bed in front of the porch was dug up. This included a huge hydrangea. I saw it sitting to the side while I was home for lunch and thought that it could easily be replanted. However, that evening, I was surveying the damage and I can't find it! I'm assuming that it is buried underneath that pile of dirt but I haven't seen the plumber to ask him about it. More rain yesterday so another delay. I'm not going to complain about anything yet though. I already have ideas for a new planting area in front of that porch. It was looking bad anyway. :)
The work started the week before Christmas and is still not completed, mainly due to rainy weather (I'm not going to complain about that!). Our estimate was 5 days work but in all honesty, the work hasn't bothered us that much. In fact, we (so far) have been pleased. The plumbers were very careful hand digging the trench which runs from our basement through a heavily landscaped area outside. A few rhododendron limbs was the only damage I saw.
This week though, things are looking a bit messy. Once they reached the driveway area in front of our garage and guesthouse (which serves as Christmas tree storage space) a backhoe was used and I was a bit shocked when I saw the outcome. Several limbs on the dogwood were broken off and everything in a planting bed in front of the porch was dug up. This included a huge hydrangea. I saw it sitting to the side while I was home for lunch and thought that it could easily be replanted. However, that evening, I was surveying the damage and I can't find it! I'm assuming that it is buried underneath that pile of dirt but I haven't seen the plumber to ask him about it. More rain yesterday so another delay. I'm not going to complain about anything yet though. I already have ideas for a new planting area in front of that porch. It was looking bad anyway. :)
Comments
Phillip, is burying the pipes only 2-feet still in code & considered safe in your area? The ground doesn't usually freeze here, but in IL the frost went deep. I think 4-feet was the rule there so the 7-to-8-foot depth is interesting.
Along with your other readers I'm trying to learn about Alabama's weather.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Hydrangeas are tough birds so if I do retrieve it, I think it will be okay. Heaven knows I have enough of them anyway so I shouldn't be upset if this one is doomed.
Annie, I have no idea about the plumbing codes but I trust the plumber. We rarely have long freezes - we might get a hard freeze now and then but it usually doesn't stay cold long.
In the meantime, you sure have colorful soils.