Repairs after the "Repair"?
National Grid needs to replace my gas service (the gas line is corroded). To do this, they will need to dig under a slate patio in front of my house. The serviceman who checked the line said it’s not an immediate danger (since the copper sleeve inside is fully intact) but it’s a repair that…
National Grid needs to replace my gas service (the gas line is corroded). To do this, they will need to dig under a slate patio in front of my house. The serviceman who checked the line said it’s not an immediate danger (since the copper sleeve inside is fully intact) but it’s a repair that should be done sooner rather than later.
They have said *verbally* that they will have a restoration contractor do the repair and they will place the stones back in place as before. I have requested this in writing, but they keep balking.
The employees keep saying “I don’t have the authority to put it in writing” and I have repeatedly said that, yes, I do want the repair to the gas line, but I just want something in writing stating they will restore the stone as-is. They also said they’re not sure the supervisor “has a pen and paper on him”.
Their latest response was that they will turn off my gas service to due to “a dangerous leak situation”.
To restate things: Currently there is no leak. Their serviceman has stated it is not an immediate danger.
Not only that, I *want* the repair to happen. I just want something in writing to ensure that my property will not be devalued in the process.
What is my recourse?
Any suggestions?
I suppose I could record the conversation with an iphone video…
bobjohn:
National Grid corporate clarified for me that their policy is to “restore with like materials and construction”. Of course they don’t restore a 100 y/o tree (they’re not God, although they sure act like it sometimes) but if they pull up bluestone they will replace it with bluestone.
OP here with an update:
They did the main replacement. After many calls to the PSC and misinformation from both sides (which did NOT help) NG did the repair. The crew was very careful and replaced the original bluestone slab back in place.
There was some masonry damage (mortar only) at the bottom of the garden floor window and the slab looks like it needs grading away from the house a bit more (I don’t want water pooling at the base of my house) but the assured me that there would be a masonry/pavement contractor who would make those repairs.
The main part of the restoration was done well. I just hope the rest of it is done up to spec.
It sound strange to me that these guy will do any restoration at all. The responsible to fix the pipe. What if you have 100y/o tree on top of it? Do they suppose to restore the tree as well?
I hope you don’t have gas heat…because if you try and go all law and order on these guys it may not end well…and I would call PUC first. If you refuse permission, they may just turn off the service and leave. Bad time of year if gas is for heating…
The NG Paving Inspector came by today and said they would put blacktop down until the summer, at which point their (3rd party) contractor will come back and restore the bluestone.
I plan on having a letter ready for them to sign before they arrive to do the work next week. I’m also taking pictures of the stone before they do anything as well as my facade and foundation wall. If they won’t sign the letter, I won’t give permission to start work.
If they even try to shut down the gas, I’ll give the Public Utility Commission a call to complain.
they came through our block right before the winter to install shut off valves (or something like that) in front of some houses. absolutely destroyed our bluestone sidewalk. broke up a largish piece of the bluestone and then cemented in it’s place but the concrete job is a friggin disaster. globs and smears and footprints all over the rest the sidewalk.
of course we weren’t home when all this went down 🙁
my basement leaks after coned put in new lines for electrical. they never fixed the problem. after few years of calling them, i gave up.
I would tread gently here–if you go in guns blazing they may lock your service out of spite, and that would be unfortunate. I’m also pretty sure that they have a minimal obligation to repair, and can’t be held responsible for damage to finishes like the slate. And I would be plain amazed if anyone signed a document you drafted.
I would get in touch with the PSC and ask them what National Grid’s responsibilities are under the law, then go about trying to make National Grid fulfill them.
Finally, if you really care about the slate, pony up the money to have a landscaper/mason remove and replace it.
I have had this very same problem with National Grid. They wouldn’t sign anything. I didn’t let them touch the huge slabs of bluestone in my sidewalk and front yard. I paid $1,500 to have a crew of my own at the house all day to remove and replace the bluestone, then submitted the bill to National Grid. No surprise that they didn’t pay, but I wouldn’t let their guys touch anything. They’re savagely unconcerned about your house.