how to approach neighbors about water drainage

I was always taught that you have no right to criticize if you are not prepared to do something about the problem. So I would offer to clean out your neighbors gutters and the drain of the other neighbor. It will be cheaper than water proofing your foundations or building dry wells etc. and it will either help out your neighbors that are not capable, or urge them to take care of it themselves.

resident2

in General Discussion 10 years and 7 months ago

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dawntawn | 10 years and 7 months ago

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We recently moved to a detached house, and have addressed major issues with water drainage on the outside (cleaned all pipes, installed new leaders, etc). However, the houses on both sides have issues that are contributing to water accumulation as well. One neighbor’s gutters are full of leaves and water is pooling up at that corner. The other has a drain in his driveway that’s not working. What is best way to approach neighbors about this? What has worked for you? I am sensitive to the fact that we are basically asking them to spend money to fix an issue that’s affecting us, but may be not be of value to them. Thanks!

brooklandings | 10 years and 7 months ago

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Are you down hill by any chance? There is a city requirement that property owners manage their own rain water runoff, jsyk. Enforcement tends to result in REALLY bad neighbor relations: think Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Not optimal. Respectfully speak with your neighbor. Explain the problems. Failing relief, consider waterproofing your own foundation. (expensive) Or perhaps build up your property walls to a slight angle and seal it. This should shunt water away from your foundation. Or a French drain sloped toward street could be a shared cost to redirect water if placed midway.That may be more palatable to your neighbors. Many neighbor stories end badly; but they don’t all have to. Good luck to you.