How-dee folks. I have an issue at my house. When it was built, the torrents of water than drain out of my clay and granite backyard "soil" come out a drain in my front yard. Trouble is the drain empties on to the sidewalk, not the street. And now, of course, the city wants me to fix it. Anyone have any experience with this? I would have to crack open the sidewalk and install a new drain pipe...not a job I look forward to.
Sidewalk Drains
Started by
Chad Vander Veen
, Jun 03 2004 10:46 AM
25 replies to this topic
#1
Chad Vander Veen
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 10:46 AM
#2
folsom500
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 11:01 AM
CV
What is the City saying to you ? Most of Folsom has these types of drains ( french drain) that come from various locations in their front or backyards and exit at the edge of the front lawn spilling the water over onto the sidewalk into the gutter.. So what is the issue ?
I know some of these drains have lots of slime and are slippery and dangerous for walker on the sidewalk but have never heard of the city saying you cant drain over the sidewalk if it is just water. I would recommend that if the flow is continuous and getting green and slimy that you flush your upsteam inlets and occasionally use some cleaner on the sidewalk as it very dangerous for people to be slipping on the scum.
Tell us more as this situation is normal on most of Folsom properties
What is the City saying to you ? Most of Folsom has these types of drains ( french drain) that come from various locations in their front or backyards and exit at the edge of the front lawn spilling the water over onto the sidewalk into the gutter.. So what is the issue ?
I know some of these drains have lots of slime and are slippery and dangerous for walker on the sidewalk but have never heard of the city saying you cant drain over the sidewalk if it is just water. I would recommend that if the flow is continuous and getting green and slimy that you flush your upsteam inlets and occasionally use some cleaner on the sidewalk as it very dangerous for people to be slipping on the scum.
Tell us more as this situation is normal on most of Folsom properties
Another great day in the adventure of exploration and sight.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead-
#3
Chad Vander Veen
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 01:43 PM
Exactly. I had a fella from the city stop by and give me the schematics on how to "fix" it. Apparently the city has 2 lawsuits against it right now for idiots that slipped and fell from such hazards.
#4
folsom500
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 01:49 PM
What was his suggestion to 'FIX IT " ???
Another great day in the adventure of exploration and sight.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead-
#5
Chad Vander Veen
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 01:59 PM
I should get me a masonry saw blade, carve up the sidewalk, install a pipe put to the street, put new cement back in the sidewalk, and there I go, all fixed. Seriously, he gave me a sheet of paper with plans and instructions how to do it.
#6
folsom500
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Posted 03 June 2004 - 02:25 PM
CV
I would suggest you ignore or shove it up the first oraface (sp) that you find on the next Folsom official that suggests this action.
First , the city would require major permits and $$$ should you try to rearrange their sidewalks ( City property )
Second - I can show you no less than 20 or 30 similar situations with the major GREEN SLIME just on my walks in Natoma Station and no one has done anything on these for years.
Third=- just clean it up and ignore the city - keep it without the scum and they can say nothing - ( doubt they can legally say anything if you dont- but for the benefit of your neighbors - clean it and keep if non - green)
Also suggest ( as I suggest to all homeowners) take out an Umbrella liabilty policy that costs maybe $150 per year for $1 Million coverage for situations such as this ( but especially if you have a pool )
Heck the $150 would be cheaper than tearing up the sidwalk and replacing it.
No one in Folsom has done that- Check out most of the new areas to see for yourself.
I would suggest you ignore or shove it up the first oraface (sp) that you find on the next Folsom official that suggests this action.
First , the city would require major permits and $$$ should you try to rearrange their sidewalks ( City property )
Second - I can show you no less than 20 or 30 similar situations with the major GREEN SLIME just on my walks in Natoma Station and no one has done anything on these for years.
Third=- just clean it up and ignore the city - keep it without the scum and they can say nothing - ( doubt they can legally say anything if you dont- but for the benefit of your neighbors - clean it and keep if non - green)
Also suggest ( as I suggest to all homeowners) take out an Umbrella liabilty policy that costs maybe $150 per year for $1 Million coverage for situations such as this ( but especially if you have a pool )
Heck the $150 would be cheaper than tearing up the sidwalk and replacing it.
No one in Folsom has done that- Check out most of the new areas to see for yourself.
Another great day in the adventure of exploration and sight.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead-
#7
Terry
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Posted 04 June 2004 - 08:12 AM
Sidewalks are the legal and maintenance responsibility of the city. That's why the city and NOT the homeowner is being sued for slip and falls on the sidewalk.
Put it in writing to the city, send it certified, return receipt, stating that there is an existing danger because of the slime on the sidewalk.......I'll bet within a week they'll be out there fixing it. Of course, if your yard is producing substantially more drainage than is "normal", say you're flooding your yard on a regular basis and neighbors will attest to that, then you're walking (or slipping) on shakey ground. But really, if you're doing normal landscape watering and the runoff is as you describe, I certainly would put it on the city.
Put it in writing to the city, send it certified, return receipt, stating that there is an existing danger because of the slime on the sidewalk.......I'll bet within a week they'll be out there fixing it. Of course, if your yard is producing substantially more drainage than is "normal", say you're flooding your yard on a regular basis and neighbors will attest to that, then you're walking (or slipping) on shakey ground. But really, if you're doing normal landscape watering and the runoff is as you describe, I certainly would put it on the city.
#8
folsom500
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Posted 04 June 2004 - 08:37 AM
Terry,
While I agree that the city cannot make a homeowner do what CV has suggested they are asking him to do, it is encumbant on a homeowner to make sure that the run off is water only and not filled with organic material that gows the slime that is often on the sidewalks due to overwatering , poor drainage on the property and mostly from drains that are not maintained and fill with organic material.
A good flush of all the French drains on the property is a good way to clear them out and in some cases, these drain lines need to be re-routed or have screen added to reduce the amount of sludge that gets in them.
While 98% of the ones I see ( inlcuding my yard) flow clean and never sludge or slime up the sidewalk, there is that 2% or so ( unscientific analysis
) that are so slippery even my little dog has slipped on them and we have as well- nearly falling but so far only a twisted ankle to complain about.
While I agree that the city cannot make a homeowner do what CV has suggested they are asking him to do, it is encumbant on a homeowner to make sure that the run off is water only and not filled with organic material that gows the slime that is often on the sidewalks due to overwatering , poor drainage on the property and mostly from drains that are not maintained and fill with organic material.
A good flush of all the French drains on the property is a good way to clear them out and in some cases, these drain lines need to be re-routed or have screen added to reduce the amount of sludge that gets in them.
While 98% of the ones I see ( inlcuding my yard) flow clean and never sludge or slime up the sidewalk, there is that 2% or so ( unscientific analysis
) that are so slippery even my little dog has slipped on them and we have as well- nearly falling but so far only a twisted ankle to complain about.
Another great day in the adventure of exploration and sight.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead-
#9
mylo
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Posted 04 June 2004 - 02:20 PM
You guys have sidewalks? 
"Ah, yes, those Gucci extremists and their Prada jihad!" --ducky
#10
Terry
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Posted 04 June 2004 - 02:45 PM
Some areas of historic district do have sidewalks.
#11
mylo
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Posted 04 June 2004 - 05:24 PM
I want to pave the front of my house. I've got the dirt leading up to the edge of the grass. We spoke to one of our neighbours, who said he tried going through the city to get it done, but eventually just ended up doing it himself. Anyone else know the story on getting paved? Or anyone got a good recommendation for a "cost-effective" crew to do it for me?
I just hope once I get it paved I'm not going to get slapped with having to install drains
I'll definately take that into account when the time comes I actually do it.
I just hope once I get it paved I'm not going to get slapped with having to install drains
I'll definately take that into account when the time comes I actually do it.
"Ah, yes, those Gucci extremists and their Prada jihad!" --ducky
#12
Farley
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 11:39 AM
With all of the recent rains, many sidewalks are now a dangerous walking hazard. Many, many homes have green slimy muck running from french drains or lawns across sidewalks and into the gutters. We keep our own sidewalk and drain area clean, but most neighbors don't. There are some streets in Natoma Station that are really bad.
I personally step around the green goo since I have slipped on it before. I step into the street, but the dogs on their leashes continue along the sidewalk. It is getting so bad now that even the dogs slip when walking on the sidewalks.
We know of ONE house a few blocks away that did have the sidewalk taken out and a drain from the french drain run under new cement and into the gutter.
Honestly though, homeowners could take a few minutes and just water blast the slime away once a week for the safety of all.
Becareful walking on sidewalks until the sun dries up the ugly run off.
I personally step around the green goo since I have slipped on it before. I step into the street, but the dogs on their leashes continue along the sidewalk. It is getting so bad now that even the dogs slip when walking on the sidewalks.
We know of ONE house a few blocks away that did have the sidewalk taken out and a drain from the french drain run under new cement and into the gutter.
Honestly though, homeowners could take a few minutes and just water blast the slime away once a week for the safety of all.
Becareful walking on sidewalks until the sun dries up the ugly run off.
#13
Chad Vander Veen
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 11:44 AM
Until I dig up my sidewalk this summer to fix it, I've placed a large CAUTION: SLIPPERY! sign right at the edge of my lawn
#14
folsom500
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 11:49 AM
QUOTE(c_vanderveen @ Apr 3 2006, 12:44 PM) 
Until I dig up my sidewalk this summer to fix it, I've placed a large CAUTION: SLIPPERY! sign right at the edge of my lawn
Now that is a good neighbor.. Farley and I have both been on our butts, or near from the green slime--- since our evening walk is often in the dark we dont always see it...
It kinda looks like this--
I also notice that the cutters have a higher grade of green slime in them on our side of the street- wonder what organisms are in there...
Cheers
F500
Another great day in the adventure of exploration and sight.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has"
-Margaret Mead-
#15
Farley
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Posted 03 April 2006 - 11:51 AM
QUOTE(folsom500 @ Apr 3 2006, 12:49 PM)
Now that is a good neighbor.. Farley and I have both been on our butts, or near from the green slime--- since our evening walk is often in the dark we dont always see it...
It kinda looks like this--
I also notice that the cutters have a higher grade of green slime in them on our side of the street- wonder what organisms are in there...
Cheers
F500
That is exactly what it looks like!!!
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