Suggestions for a Plugged Pipe
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:55 am
I have a problem that I could sure use some help in solving.
I have a long level driveway that borders my neighbor's property. 18 years ago, when we moved in, I noticed a 12" diameter concrete pipe that ran under the driveway at a low point in the yard to the much lower neighbor's yard. This pipe provided drainage for my yard, but caused a wet area in the neighbor's yard (only in connection with heavy percipitation and Spring).
I'm not sure when it happenned, but either through direct action or neglect, the end of the pipe in my neighbor's yard has become covered up with dirt. I can't even tell where exactly it is anymore. (The reason I think it might have been purposely plugged, is that they talked aboput putting in a pond in that area and even worked it with a bulldozer a bit. Of course, this was before they got divorced.)
Now, my yard doesn't drain, and I've got a 3 foot deep lake where there shouldn't be one.
On my side of the driveway, the end had become almost buried too. This past Summer, I dug it out and discovered the pipe is full of silt, as far as I could dig with a hand shovel.
I look for signs of water on my neighbor's side of the driveway, but I don't see any places where water is seeping through. (The pipe is about 30 feet long.)
My question is this. How do I clean this pipe out? I keep hoping the water pressure would clear it, but that doesn't seem to be happenning. Any recomendations?
What complicates matters is the my neighbors no longer live on the property, so it will be hard to get a hold of them to see if I can dig on their side of the driveway. (The wife got the property in the divorce, but since has moved away.)
I hope to avoid having to put in a new pipe. Especially since I don't know if I can legally. I don't think it is right to suddenly dump a bunch of water into their yard, but on the other hand, I'm just trying to restore drainage that had already been in place.
I know it sounds like a case for Judge Judy or the People's Court, but is there any way to help nature clear this pipe or do I have to bite the bullet and pay for the excavation then fear the wrath of my neighbor?
I know one thing for sure. I don't want this unintended pond for another mosquito season.
Any technical or moral suggestions are welcomed. Opinions on the matter of law will not be regarded as professional legal advice.
Thanks,
Tom Z.
I have a long level driveway that borders my neighbor's property. 18 years ago, when we moved in, I noticed a 12" diameter concrete pipe that ran under the driveway at a low point in the yard to the much lower neighbor's yard. This pipe provided drainage for my yard, but caused a wet area in the neighbor's yard (only in connection with heavy percipitation and Spring).
I'm not sure when it happenned, but either through direct action or neglect, the end of the pipe in my neighbor's yard has become covered up with dirt. I can't even tell where exactly it is anymore. (The reason I think it might have been purposely plugged, is that they talked aboput putting in a pond in that area and even worked it with a bulldozer a bit. Of course, this was before they got divorced.)
Now, my yard doesn't drain, and I've got a 3 foot deep lake where there shouldn't be one.
On my side of the driveway, the end had become almost buried too. This past Summer, I dug it out and discovered the pipe is full of silt, as far as I could dig with a hand shovel.
I look for signs of water on my neighbor's side of the driveway, but I don't see any places where water is seeping through. (The pipe is about 30 feet long.)
My question is this. How do I clean this pipe out? I keep hoping the water pressure would clear it, but that doesn't seem to be happenning. Any recomendations?
What complicates matters is the my neighbors no longer live on the property, so it will be hard to get a hold of them to see if I can dig on their side of the driveway. (The wife got the property in the divorce, but since has moved away.)
I hope to avoid having to put in a new pipe. Especially since I don't know if I can legally. I don't think it is right to suddenly dump a bunch of water into their yard, but on the other hand, I'm just trying to restore drainage that had already been in place.
I know it sounds like a case for Judge Judy or the People's Court, but is there any way to help nature clear this pipe or do I have to bite the bullet and pay for the excavation then fear the wrath of my neighbor?
I know one thing for sure. I don't want this unintended pond for another mosquito season.
Any technical or moral suggestions are welcomed. Opinions on the matter of law will not be regarded as professional legal advice.
Thanks,
Tom Z.