Trying Hard not to Go off the Deep End..

**Backtoreality** · 03-13-2010, 10:14 PM

Just alittle back ground. We live in a middle class neighborhood with large lots. We have lived here for about 10 years and are friendly with most of the immediate neighbors but one. And that one I always thought was just kind of "to themselves" if you know what I mean.

Last summer those neighbors did some landscaping, I wave hi and stopped for about 5 minutes to say "looking good". At that time they mentioned that they were also doing work in their basement.

Forward to today. After all the snow melt and about 1 inch of rain we were looking at this "new river" on our side yard. I when out this am and found out that this river was being formed by the neighbors sump pump draining right towards my land.

Hubby & I talked about it and decided to go and try to talk to the neighbors. HUGH Mistake!!! We were yelled at from the git go, we were called nosey neighbors, and they stated that they "knew" this was going to be an issue. I ended up walking away from them and hubby told them that we will talk to the association about it.

Now I'm sitting here, thinking of ways to fix this river of rain water. I have decided not to discuss this with the unfriendly neighbors anymore and they may not like my solutions!! LOL

Thanks, just wanted to get off my chest. And I know you all are a safe ear! Sorry kinda long.

Ruth

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-13-2010, 10:23 PM

I have neighbors that are the same exact way. Dh and I had a talk about this this morning when we were looking at plans to landscape the backyard and his concern was that the neighbors would sue us if anything bad happened.

I hate crappy neighbors and it sounds like yours are just like mine.

I'd talk to the association and also I'd talk to the city bylaw officer about it. If your neighbors landscaping is causing issues in your yard, they can get into trouble over that.

I know how you feel!

**Backtoreality** · 03-13-2010, 10:30 PM

The association president (a friend of mine) called to say that we couldn't do anything with the way they have the flow of water, but in return they couldn't do anything if we decided to landscape differently either.

Oh and we are 7 miles outside the city limits so those laws wouldn't apply. It's one of the things I love about the addition, We really like the fact that it's the country.

**Russ** · 03-13-2010, 10:31 PM

Get video! Hard to plead your case if the association doesn't see what is going on.

**Russ** · 03-13-2010, 10:34 PM

sounds like it's time to build up your edge of the property since talking to them isn't going to work.

**Backtoreality** · 03-13-2010, 11:05 PM

Funny you said that about the photos. The man next door was taking pictures!!! Like we are going to sue him or something. If they took the time to be friendly they would have known that about us.

The association prez was going to suggest to them, that they pipe it to the street or back yard like the rest of the residents do. But hubby decided to give them until the middle of May, if nothing has changed then we will probably do some landscaping of our own!! Which sound more fun than a "lawsuit" don't you think?!?

**frugalfranny** · 03-14-2010, 01:18 AM

Feel for you Ruth.......having crappy neighbors is the pits.

I know........I have them too.

Good luck with your new landscaping!

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-14-2010, 04:05 AM

I really, really feel for you. We have lived next door to the house of horrors (and we are close - 10-12 ft) from the time we moved in in 2002 until the house was sold last summer.

I do think I would landscape so it would flow right back to them -- would an 8 ft wall work?

**Ceashels** · 03-14-2010, 08:57 AM

Take pictures and video every time it rains. Erosion is going to make that area look very bad, very quickly.

**The Transporter** · 03-14-2010, 09:38 AM

Wow the HOA won't do anything? I'm surprised...I mean this water is going to cause damage to your foundation over time and it's a direct result of their sump pump being pumped in your yard....I'm floored. You just might have to build a levy on that side to keep the water back...lol...I'm laughing but this could be a serious issue over time.

**valerian** · 03-14-2010, 11:21 AM

I'm afraid I'd find a way to send the water BACK over to their side perhaps with your own sump pump...two can play at that game if they want to be jerks.

**nessarowdy** · 03-14-2010, 11:36 AM

Sounds like a mess! I hate mean neighbours. We have a neighbor who calls out the county weed board inspector when they think we "might" have missed a weed or two on our 2 acre property. Sheesh, really? Get a life! We always take care of any weeds that pop up, it just gets old.

I'm also surprised that the homeowners' association doesn't want to get in the middle of that one. I also would do some type of landscaping that would flow the water back on them...

-Vanessa

**8paws** · 03-14-2010, 12:22 PM

In the small city where I live, it is written into the city codes that it is illegal to drain onto your neighbor's property. I would look into your city codes to see if it addresses water drainage.

A similar issue came up for me because I need to have my backyard re-graded and one of the landscapers who came out to do an estimate mentioned this to me....

I am very surprised that your homeowner's association won't address this. Absolutely agree to document with pictures as well as document any conversations you have with these neighbors.

Sounds like a tough situation. Good luck!

**Libby** · 03-14-2010, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Take pictures and video every time it rains. Erosion is going to make that area look very bad, very quickly.

Originally Posted by The Transporter

Wow the HOA won't do anything? I'm surprised...I mean this water is going to cause damage to your foundation over time and it's a direct result of their sump pump being pumped in your yard....I'm floored. You just might have to build a levy on that side to keep the water back...lol...I'm laughing but this could be a serious issue over time.

I agree with Cea & Transporter - take pics to document it all so you have a chronological photo journal and you should compare them to see how your side of the property has diminished or sustained damage as a result of their sump pump outing onto your lawn. Especially take pics when its raining which shows how the water drains to your side.

Down the road - your home will be affected by this and will be very costly. Act now, document it all...I'd even go as far as to write down everything going on, what both the home owners assn & neighbours have said, when you spoke with them etc, each run in you've had with them, whenever it looks like they're doing something to their side that will affect your side. The pics will help document and back you up later on should you need proof.

Cover your butt and protect your investment!

**YankeeMom** · 03-14-2010, 04:00 PM

Ugh. I feel your pain about crappy neighbors

I have a couple myself.

Sounds if they "knew this was going to be an issue" they should have made sure it wouldn't be an issue by making sure the water wouldn't drain on your property.

Even if you are outside the city limits, there should be a town ordinance or something that would give you some back up or something. I agree though, landscaping to turn the water flow back towards their property sounds a lot more fun