OT: who is at fault?

[tinkarooni]

Although the OP should not be inconvenienced going out there marking the lines, the OP does have to pro-actively say something about the sprinkler lines.
"I don't have time to go out and mark the sprinkler lines but if the tent company can do that task so as not to damage them with the tent stakes then it is okay to have the tent come onto our property."

Or, applying the KISS principle,

"I'm afraid they might break my sprinkler lines and I don't have time to go mark the lines myself therefore I will have to say no. Maybe next time." Inviting a reply such as "I'll have the tent company find the lines before erecting the tent." at which time the neighbor has accepted the responsibility.

The OP does not install tents for a living (I assume ) It is the professionals responsibility to be sure they do not damage property. The fact is how was she to know they were going to stake into her grass, maybe she assumed that they were going to use barrels, maybe she didn't think about how a tent was installed at all, maybe she didn't realize that the stakes went so deep as to damage lines. We can not all be experts in every field, that is why we hire professionals and rely on their expertise. This is why the tent company informed their client of the possible damage to underground lines and had them sign a contract acknowleding that . In notifying the clients of the potential hazards they did their professional duty of making aware, they did not do this for OP. Now if they had told her we could damage underground lines and we are not responsible and OP didn;t speak up than she would be on the hook, but this didn't happen.

Every day we hire professionals to do things, because we expect them to give guidance and professional advice in their field, that's why they are hired and paid, when they fail to do so they are responsible. In this case the neighbor is also responsible for not notifying the tent company they were on someone elses land unless that was obvious.

OP- they can't force you to allow them to repair it. It doesn't sound like you have spoken to their insurance company, probably just the tent company. No reputable insurance company would demand that you allow the tent company to fix it. I would demand that they file a claim with their insurance company. If they refuse call your neighbor and ask them if they know who the tent companies insurance is with (it might be on the contract) and call and file a claim yourself.

 

[sbell111]

The OP OK'd the tent on her property. She failed to inform anyone of the location of her sprinkler lines. The damage to the line was preventable by only one person; the OP. She should be responsible for the cost of the repairs.

It should be noted that the repair job is super simple. Anyone (including the OP, if she were so inclined) should be able to do this repair in an afternoon for a cost of less than $20.

 

[vicki_c]

The OP OK'd the tent on her property. She failed to inform anyone of the location of her sprinkler lines. The damage to the line was preventable by only one person; the OP. She should be responsible for the cost of the repairs.

It should be noted that the repair job is super simple. Anyone (including the OP, if she were so inclined) should be able to do this repair in an afternoon for a cost of less than $20.

If you read the thread, you will learn that the damage is much more extensive than that.

 

[mrsklamc]

It should be noted that the repair job is super simple. Anyone (including the OP, if she were so inclined) should be able to do this repair in an afternoon for a cost of less than $20.

Please let us know how you're going to do her $10,000 repair for that price and we'll all be rich.

 

[sbell111]

If you read the thread, you will learn that the damage is much more extensive than that.

Good advice. I read the rest of the OP's posts.

First, let me say that I am always skeptical when the issue changes so dramatically from the original posting. Still, if what the OP states is correct, the easiest and best solution would have been to submit it to her insurance company and let them get it resolved. That is what they are paid for, after all.

 

[sbell111]

Please let us know how you're going to do her $10,000 repair for that price and we'll all be rich.

It should be noted that $5000 of her estimate was the twenty dollar repair. The remainder was the damage caused by Papa's rolling stone.

 

[southbarringtonjen]

It should be noted that $5000 of her estimate was the twenty dollar repair. The remainder was the damage caused by Papa's rolling stone.

What I actually said was I did know the cost of the sprinkler repair, and I could easily see how it could get to $10,000 after all the various costs to make it look like it never happened.

The sprinkler system guys were out today. The permit fees are $215 alone. Yes it needs a permit, as a repair needs to be verified that we aren't re-routing things to say, the city sewer or something. Also keep in mind they aren't just digging up at the cut point, it will replace the line from point A to B as it originally was. So it is a 35 foot run that will be replaced. Add to that the cost to re-sod, etc. I'll know an exact value tomorrow, but it is looking at around $1000.

The other damage isn't as bad as feared, some broken stone pieces can be reused in some of the unfinished areas we had. Maybe I got the "saw you topless" discount. $3800 plus or minus based on the need to rent a machine to replace the boulder. So maybe a $5000 total repair. There was talk of time and inconvenience being reimbursed too, so it will be more than that when it is all sorted out.

 

[krcit]

What I actually said was I did know the cost of the sprinkler repair, and I could easily see how it could get to $10,000 after all the various costs to make it look like it never happened.

The sprinkler system guys were out today. The permit fees are $215 alone. Yes it needs a permit, as a repair needs to be verified that we aren't re-routing things to say, the city sewer or something. Also keep in mind they aren't just digging up at the cut point, it will replace the line from point A to B as it originally was. So it is a 35 foot run that will be replaced. Add to that the cost to re-sod, etc. I'll know an exact value tomorrow, but it is looking at around $1000.

The other damage isn't as bad as feared, some broken stone pieces can be reused in some of the unfinished areas we had. Maybe I got the "saw you topless" discount. $3800 plus or minus based on the need to rent a machine to replace the boulder. So maybe a $5000 total repair. There was talk of time and inconvenience being reimbursed too, so it will be more than that when it is all sorted out.

If they saw me topless they would've added a few thousand for pain and suffering

 

[seashoreCM]

deleted x

 

[sbell111]

What I actually said was I did know the cost of the sprinkler repair, and I could easily see how it could get to $10,000 after all the various costs to make it look like it never happened.

The sprinkler system guys were out today. The permit fees are $215 alone. Yes it needs a permit, as a repair needs to be verified that we aren't re-routing things to say, the city sewer or something.

In most jurisdictions, repairs/maintenance such as this made by the homeowner would need no permit.

Also keep in mind they aren't just digging up at the cut point, it will replace the line from point A to B as it originally was. So it is a 35 foot run that will be replaced. Add to that the cost to re-sod, etc. I'll know an exact value tomorrow, but it is looking at around $1000.

Why would you dig up 35 feet of your yard to avoid making a simple repair that would be just as good as a new line?

 

[disneyandme]

Stop badgering the OP. She has made it clear that she lives in a hoity-toity area that has a lot of rules and regulations about what can and cannot be done on one's property. I doubt she is going to go through the mess and time loss in order to do these repairs unless it is necessary.

 

[sbell111]

Stop badgering the OP. She has made it clear that she lives in a hoity-toity area that has a lot of rules and regulations about what can and cannot be done on one's property. I doubt she is going to go through the mess and time loss in order to do these repairs unless it is necessary.

You should maybe take a deep breath.

Repairing the sprinkler line can be done cheaply without digging up a huge part of the OPs yard. This information was given to help the OP save money (this is the budget board) and have less destruction done to her yard. No weasels or other mustelidae were invoked by the post.

 

[wmharley]

What I actually said was I did know the cost of the sprinkler repair, and I could easily see how it could get to $10,000 after all the various costs to make it look like it never happened.

The sprinkler system guys were out today. The permit fees are $215 alone. Yes it needs a permit, as a repair needs to be verified that we aren't re-routing things to say, the city sewer or something. Also keep in mind they aren't just digging up at the cut point, it will replace the line from point A to B as it originally was. So it is a 35 foot run that will be replaced. Add to that the cost to re-sod, etc. I'll know an exact value tomorrow, but it is looking at around $1000.

The other damage isn't as bad as feared, some broken stone pieces can be reused in some of the unfinished areas we had. Maybe I got the "saw you topless" discount. $3800 plus or minus based on the need to rent a machine to replace the boulder. So maybe a $5000 total repair. There was talk of time and inconvenience being reimbursed too, so it will be more than that when it is all sorted out.

If you redo a sprinkler system, here, you need a permit because you have to make sure its connected to an backflow so the water doesn't get back into the house water, but to do repairs, you don't.

Seriously...

fixing it at point X and removing certain sod in that location is much cheaper, and I find it hard to believe you need to completely redo the entire line just for a break. Will you bill the neighbor for water usage due to all that sod? how will you gauge the usage for just that zone as your personal water fluctuates so you will only get an estimate.

Hoity-Toity and all, but this repair is excessive. Maybe you got a guy who fixes sprinklers that overcharges because they want to do a larger job, but sprinklers ahve been fixed and repaird for years at cut points without an issue. Look at a water leak in your house, you don't get it repiped when there is a leak, you fix it at the spot.

EDIT.. looking at SB's codes.. you do need a permit (what an asinine place to live).. HOWEVER....

From the code...

8-7-3: PERMIT REQUIRED:

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to install, replace or repair a lawn sprinkling system within the village without having first obtained a permit therefor pursuant to this chapter. This permit shall be in addition to any other permit required by this code. No permit shall be required for the making of minor repairs to the system downstream from the water supply connection unless a section of the water line is cut, removed or replaced. (Ord. 99-572, 4-13-1999)

That last line is the tsticking point.. what is a minor repair? Can you not repair the sprinkler without cutting a portion? however, there is NO rule that says the entire 35' need to be replaced. underground as long as it works as it was originally, then it should be fine.

 

[here757]

throw the budget piece aside...
im sure OP just wants the job done correctly!

i wouldnt let joe smoe mickey mouse (LOL) the repair.. cuz that might cause bigger problems down the line.

 

[sbell111]

That last line is the sticking point.. what is a minor repair? Can you not repair the sprinkler without cutting a portion? however, there is NO rule that says the entire 35' need to be replaced. underground as long as it works as it was originally, then it should be fine.

I'm reasonably sure that the 'water line' referred to in the code is the city's line, not the PVC pipe that is being repaired.

 

[sbell111]

throw the budget piece aside...
im sure OP just wants the job done correctly!

i wouldnt let joe smoe mickey mouse (LOL) the repair.. cuz that might cause bigger problems down the line.

Repairing this sprinkler pipe really is a joe shmoe/homeowner type of job. It is incredibly easy, very difficult to screw up, and results in a line that is just as good (and long lasting) as original.

All you do is dig a hole around the bad spot. You then cut out the bad spot. The length of the cut is any distance longer than the compressed fitting and shorter than the extended fitting. Make sure that the cut ends are reasonably clean and dry and put the fitting on without cement to make sure that it is going to fit fine. Remove the fitting. You then smear primer around the outside of the cut pipe ends and inside of the fitting ends. You are not trying to be pretty (the repair will be underground, after all), just smear it on with the brush included in the can's lidgetting good coverage. Let the primer dry for a minute or so. Next do the same smearage with the PVC cement and replace the fitting on both ends of the pipe, giving it a quarter turn as you do so. Hold the fitting for a minute or so until the cement has dried.

The PVC cement is actually a solvent that causes the two pieces of PVC to be welded together. By maintaining good coverage (by smearing it on with the brush) and good contact (by giving it a twist and holding it in place for a minute), you will fuse the pieces together ensuring a repair that will outlive the rest of the system.

Before you fill the hole, pressurize the system (turn the water on). No leak means that you did it right. If it leaks, then you didn't follow my directions. Cut out the repair and try again.

 

[mrsklamc]

How complicated the fix is does not really matter. Since she didn't cause the damage and wasn't responsible for the damage, she shouldn't have to fix it herself.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And since the damage to the sprinkler line was the direct cause of the damage to the landscaping/building (remember, it's housing a storage area) work currently being done - the work that's going to cost so much to repair...

 

[wmharley]

How complicated the fix is does not really matter. Since she didn't cause the damage and wasn't responsible for the damage, she shouldn't have to fix it herself.

everyone is in agreement she shouldn't fix it. The issue is needing to spend thousands to remove all the sod to fix the entire line of pipe, when normally, one just fixes the point of damage, not an entire sprinkler line. I've had sod companies mess my sprinklers and they get a sprinkler guy out to fix it. He's never riped up the entire line to fix a small area. that is overkill.

just like if you ahve a pipe leak in your house. You don't repipe the whole house just for a small leak.

Fixing the boulders, etc.. we can understand... but there seems to be some excessiveness here. Maybe I'm not Househusband of South Barrington material.. beats me.

 

[mrsklamc]

everyone is in agreement she shouldn't fix it. The issue is needing to spend thousands to remove all the sod to fix the entire line of pipe, when normally, one just fixes the point of damage, not an entire sprinkler line. I've had sod companies mess my sprinklers and they get a sprinkler guy out to fix it. He's never riped up the entire line to fix a small area. that is overkill.

just like if you ahve a pipe leak in your house. You don't repipe the whole house just for a small leak.

Fixing the boulders, etc.. we can understand... but there seems to be some excessiveness here. Maybe I'm not Househusband of South Barrington material.. beats me.

My understanding was that the PP was saying she should do it herself because of the permit fee.