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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 01/29/2010 09:58
Reply
Since the city doesn't appear to be coming back to the neighborhood to complete the sewer line replacements, I need to get some work done.
Has anyone used a plumbing company to do this type of work that doesn't charge an arm an a leg? I used Larry French and the connections between the new pvc pipe and the old sewer pipe failed three times...no there was not a work warrenty.
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tdoyle53
Member
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# Posted: 02/11/2010 09:49
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Years ago I used Village Plumbing to replace my sewer line and plumbing in my house. But for my garage apartment, I used Wayne (Dependable Home Repair) at (832) 567-3065, who was cheaper. This was three years ago, but the sewer line was from essentially the back property line (where the apartment is) to the street and it was $2400.
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izzy
Member
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# Posted: 02/11/2010 14:59
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I wish people would have been nicer to the city and trusted them more when they were here last year... Not saying you Kathy or tdoyle53...but some people were giving the city a really hard time getting people to let them on their property, signing paperwork, etc. when they were here. I wonder if they ARE going to come back?
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 02/11/2010 15:51
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Thanks Theresa, I'll give them a call.
Nope. the city is not coming back. I spoke to the folks at the engineering department and tried to sweet talk them into coming back...even if I helped to get the signatures. The city estimated that they were putting between $5000-$7000 into each property by installing the the new sewer lines but the final connections...which are required by code...were unsightly and people complained.
Utilities are rarely pretty. I would gladly fork over a donation for a potted plant to cover the cleanout vs. what I am about to spend (and have spent) on collapsed sewer line.
PS all the lines in the hood are the same age so when you start finding those unexplained holes in your yard, its not a vermit darling...
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izzy
Member
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# Posted: 02/11/2010 19:50
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Kathy,
When you and the city gave us an estimate on how much it would be to replace our sewer line...I ran home and got the paper work the same night, signed it, and handed it right over to the guy from the city with a BIG FAT SMILE on my face.
They were here for about 3 days in the backyard. Real nice guys. They dug a trench, put in a new line, put new sod, and were gone. After a couple of weeks our backyard looked like nobody had even been there.
And they kept going down Pizer until it just came to an abrupt hault. I am glad I listened to you and they poor guy trying to convince us all that it was going to be o.k. AND that it would be better to cover an ugly white cement block with a bush than to shell out all that money ourselves.
I am sorry you have been having trouble with your line and your yard. If there's anything we can do. Maybe have a garage sale/fundraiser. My kids could sell cookies or something. :)
Good luck and let us know if you need help. I will let you know if I hear anything on a good plumber.
Izzy
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 02/12/2010 13:05
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Thanks but we're fine. Linda and I are shovel qualified and will do most of the digging which should take care of the bulk of the cost. Connecting into the old cement line is not as straight forward as it should be and I don't want another sink hole in the yard.
My major concern in CoH dropping the project would be for those on a fixed income. A $5-7k fix could be a breaking point for some.
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stgdavis01
Member
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# Posted: 02/15/2010 01:52
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Very sorry to hear about your sewer problem, Kathy. I'm afraid I'm just now reading this posting. We've used Clayton Lee Plumbing in the past, and thought they were good and professional. I couldn't estimate what they would charge for your job, though, of course.
Yes, the COH came to a PPNA General Meeting in 2008 to talk about the sewer project. Apparently they were scared away by some loud voices opposed to their workmanship. Having an easily accessible clean-out is a huge asset, and covering it with a bush, or painting it green sure is a good alternative to the expense of each of us having to do the plumbing individually. At the moment all my plumbing is new out to the city's, but I'm worried about the old main.
It would be nice to understand exactly why they stopped cold turkey. Surely there would have been many residents happy to have them re-do their connections. A few loud voices of opposition ruined it for everyone else?
Thanks for trying to sweet talk them into coming back.
How are you getting on now?
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izzy
Member
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# Posted: 02/15/2010 15:30
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Maybe the REALLY anal people can use their own pile of cash growing from their money tree to do their own fancy plumbing work.
And people who would love to have had a chance for the city to come out AND would have APPRECIATED any help they could have gotten could have another meeting where people could beg for Mercy, give the City a signed contract, and then let the city have a chance to do a good job.
Which means being nice when the city show up on your property and trust that they will do a good job! Not saying any of you would NOT do that....but obviously there are some people who's words and actions DROVE the city away the first time. But, they are NOT the majority thank goodness!!! Why didn't the rest of us get to speak up?
What if we could sign a petition for them to come back! If we tell people about OUR experiences then it wouldn't be so scary after all. And they can way the advantages and disadvantages by the facts, and not hearsay or irrelevant things from really rude people that DON'T speak for all of us. We have a better, more clear picture of what the facts are now.
Just a thought...
:)
Izzy
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izzy
Member
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# Posted: 02/15/2010 17:25
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And if you guys remember some of those meetings and what some people said to the poor COH guy right in his face...about how "only ignorant people work for the city." or something to that affect. He was just the middle man and they were putting him down for no reason. Everyone was shocked at what "some people" said. It was really sad and embarrassing for the poor guy... we tried to let them know we didn't feel that way.
Of course we were all unsure of what really was happening and what was going on ...but now I wish I would have spoken up a lot more, asked more questions, and convinced more neighbors to trust the city! Maybe it's not too late???
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sne
Member
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# Posted: 02/20/2010 09:49
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Kathy, you said the City is not coming back but did not say WHY the City is not coming back. How is it the City can provide the work to some addresses and not to others who want it. If anyone wants to find out what's up, who needs to be called. I don't recall ever having been provided any information regarding this work, either by phone, email, flyer or any other form of communication from the City. Certainly, I would have been amenable to having the work done on my home. I saw the "unsightly" access in the yards but figured if someone wanted to cover it up, it would not be a big deal. So, how much noise do we need to make?
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 02/22/2010 13:43
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I'm not sure how the replacement program got started but here is some of the background: behind our houses lies a large ancient sewer main that has had its fair share of integrety issues (think sink holes - yuck). The city put in new mains in the middle of the streets about 10 years ago with the expectation that folks would ultimately tie into these mains on thier own dime (the cities responsibility would stop at the sidewalk or at those attractive new cleanouts).
Seems that folks continued to repair the old lines and call the city when the "old sewer main" periodically caved in. Some areas are worse than others but the sewers are all the same age...so they are all going to cave in a similar time frame. When the city came to Norhill about 2 years ago, many streets got letters stating that the city was going to access your (private) property and do the tie ins for you. Free money in my book, BUT
Some would not sign...
Some started in whine...
The city got behind...and over budget
Now there is a budget crunch and I'm sure Annise (rightly) cares more about paying the firefighters and police than replacing my sewer.
The moral of this story is to not look a gift horse in the mouth. Many did and now one of the most highly taxed price per square foot neighborhoods will not get to see thier tax dollars for this project.
If you really want to see if we can make this happen, call Ed Gonzales' office and push from that direction. Pleading with the engineering department isn't the trick.
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Dennis
Member
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# Posted: 02/22/2010 15:49
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Kathy is right about the sewer lines on the blocks that got replacements being the ones that had sewer lines in the worst condition (according to the City). I am fortunate enough to be one of the one who got a replacement.
The story I got from the Supervisor over the whole job was that the City had an extra $1 million in their budget. But it was only enough for about 50 houses, which comes to about $20,000 per household! WAY more expensive than any plumber would charge. Part of the cost was that the Supervisor had to sit in his car all day, everyday while this was going on. Not exactly the best use of City money, but then, that's how they do business....
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mvp
Member
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# Posted: 02/22/2010 17:31
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Any idea what streets were done? I live on Moss St. Technically i'm on the side that is the first block of Brooksmith. I bought my house about 2 years. I'm almost positive I'm connected to the old sewer.
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Dennis
Member
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# Posted: 02/22/2010 21:45
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It was 600,700 and 800 blocks of Pizer and I think the 700 and 800 blocks of Key.
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rbd
Member
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# Posted: 02/24/2010 13:54
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Another user above mentioned Moss St. This is not really on subject but does anyone know the story of the huge ranch style limestone brick house that is being built next to the Catholic church (on Moss St.)? Is it a spec home or someone's custom house?
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Dennis
Member
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# Posted: 02/24/2010 14:08
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I used to live next door to the big one going up on Moss. It's a retired Cuban couple and they are the most wonderful people. They have lived there for years and moved off the two house that were on the double lot and are building their dream home.
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 02/25/2010 09:21
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Its big because they are going to have thier extended family in the same house. No deed restrictions or lot size requirments so...
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rn4evr99
Member
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# Posted: 02/27/2010 11:38
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That house is not apart of the neighborhood. They are located ont on the outskirts. I do know they have tried to salvage the wood flooring and will put most of it back into the new house. I know it stands out because of size, style and compostion...
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mvp
Member
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# Posted: 03/08/2010 22:14
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I have heard there are new water lines under the streets. Are there new sewer lines as well (under the streets) to connect to or are most of the sewer lines on the back of the property lines?
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 03/09/2010 08:27
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Both. The new sewer mains are in the street. The old mains are on the easement behind the houses.
Most homes in the neighborhood are still connected to the old mains and these are steadily failing (cave ins). The city had a project to connect homes to the new mains in the street but this is no longer funded. We get to pay for this ourselves.
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mvp
Member
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# Posted: 03/09/2010 10:48
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What are some of the signs of a failing sewer line? Will there be a noticable performance drop on your drains? Meaning they drain slower? I read earlier how you might have holes in your yard. Will the yard be wet also or just indentions?
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 03/09/2010 13:46
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If it is "really" caved in it is both noticable in the yard and you will see performance issues. If your partner puts river rocks down the hole so that "rats dont' come out" you will also see a definative drop in the ability to flush.
We ran a camera down the line and the entire upper portion of the line was failing. I replaced half a couple years ago... "shovelishes" while waiting on the city to connect our street. Now that we see holes in the portion running from the back cleanout to the rear main its time to dig again.
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 05/14/2010 09:30
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They 're Baaaaack! Just spoke to the City of Houston engineering folks and they will be back to finish up the work they started on Melwood, W. Temple, and Cottage. The 700 block of West Temple should start next week.
There are a few houses that have not signed the right of entry and the city will be sending these to those households as well as Maverick and me. We have promised the city a smooth project with the goal to have streets with complete infastructure (new sewers) that have been upgraded.
Folks, this is an approximately $7000 gift the city is giving to each household. Take it now or get out your checkbook at a later date. The city is not required to do this work but decided with the issues they were having with the main sewer line running BEHIND your house, this was the best option. (the main behind my house is showing "integrety issues" i.e. cave in and all the lines are the same age)
Some of you will recall there was concern about the asthetics of the white PVC cleanout. This is code for the upgrade and therefor not optional. The "prettiness" of these these can be addressed for far less than $7000.
Utilities are rarely a fashion statement.
Being able to flush ....priceless.
If you have a concern about the work, PLEASE contact either Maverick or myself. We want them to be able to get through this project as quickly as possible. They have one pot of money and the longer it takes, the less money there will be to complete all the houses.
Thanks
Kathy Cameron
PPNA Historian (and past president)
kkcamero@gmail.com
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mvp
Member
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# Posted: 05/14/2010 16:43
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I live on Moss. All of these streets are around me. Is Moss getting any upgrades? Can we petition to get them to do Moss?
Does the project also included hooking up to the new supply water line?
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izzy
Member
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# Posted: 05/15/2010 00:25
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They did work on our sewer line. And the guys that were here were good workers. We had no problems at all. If anyone has any questions let us know. There were in our backyard for about 2 days with a mini tractor of sort laying out the new line. And yes mvp they connect you to the new line hence the PVC cleanouts in the front on the house right off the street...is this right Kathy?
I have been meaning to put a bush next to our cleanout so it could grow over it a little, but we haven't. I don't even notice it that much anymore....and I am more happy to have one that NOT. Grateful to the City of Houston. Read what Kathy's had to go through and sing the papers today!
I think the streets around Proctor are where they have started and are continuing...so Moss is pretty close and you think you would be next in line. I wonder how we could find out the order of their work. We'll have to ask the city guy sitting in his city car when we see them come back again. I can't remember the guys name who was in-charge of the work...
Hope our neighbors can understand that this is important. Should we knock on doors and try to go talk to our neighbors to let them know this is a good thing?
Izzy
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 05/15/2010 06:25
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It looks like the city is also going to try to finish up Key, Pizer, Merrill, and Redan. Yesterday afternoon I got the complete list of homes that have not signed the right of entry form.
MVP, if you e-mail me, I will give you the contacts name at the city. Doesn't look like Moss was included but if I recall Moss is one of the "new streets" with the main sewer in the street.
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sne
Member
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# Posted: 05/22/2010 21:58
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Kathy - I live on Pizer but don't recall every getting a right of entry form. You indicated they were going to finish up Pizer, does that mean additional blocks not just the 800 block?
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mvp
Member
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# Posted: 05/24/2010 13:47
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Kathy, definitely interested. What is your email address?
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 06/01/2010 10:22
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I'm still trying to get the schedule from CoH. Since they are working out of one pot of money, I'm sure part of the issue is how long it takes to get through what has already been started.
My email is kkcamero@gmail.com.
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kathy c
Member
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# Posted: 06/28/2010 14:02
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For those keeping up with the progress of the sewer work, John the supervisor for the contractor company, stopped by today and said they would be finishing up on W. Melwood and would be starting on W. Cottage next week. With the dry weather they have been able to do about a block a week.
This is important work for both you and the value of your property. It's a one shot deal to get the city to replace sewer lines on your property. If you don't care for this free service, remember the value is approximately $8000 and you get to foot the bill. The real value of your toilet flushing reliably is priceless.
An update on our property (I sent the "Yard of the Month" photo last time...a Christmas card in the making) Our entire backyard had been landscaped and they put it all back together again. We have two big trees in the front and they dug close to the roots with no issues. That said, we will be watering heavily all summer and having an arborist look at them this fall for a good feeding and trimming. When we had a minor hiccup with the kitchen connection, they gladly came back and reworked the line.
As for those colorful flags in the front, if you are not experiencing any issues with your newly installed plumbing, you can remove these now. John and his crew will be following up with caps for the PVC cleanout in the front.
Steven Wright with CoH can assist in answering any questions you have on the installation timeline.
Stephen.Wright@cityofhouston.net
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