After the basement work, we thought we were good to go. A lot of thought process and hard work went into that project.
Within a couple of weeks, we had another backup. This time, we felt that the collapse was occurring somewhere in the front yard (based on snaking and seeing where the mud was coming from). There were both benefits and drawbacks. The benefit would mean we could dig without intrusion to my tenant.
Understanding:
The drawback was that digging the front yard could prove tricky.
It was both deep and we were concerned about digging the trench by hand (no backhoe) without the trench collapsing.
Negotiating:
I had the benefit to discuss this with the DC Chief Inspector who gave me some guidelines to dig the yard. Milton Daley told me that he could do it. I was leery at first, but then after much discussion, learned to trust him.
Innovating:
We agreed to start the cut right against the building as opposed to in the middle of the yard (15 feet long). The dig would be shallower and based on multiple snakings, we figured that the collapse was closer to the building. Our analysis was right on.
We were fortunate that the ground was red clay which kept the trench nice and packed.
Showing connection from the building going out to the street. 8 feet deep.
This time we also hired the help of Jerry Hunter, another DC licensed plumber who would snake the line after we cut it to ensure that we did not get any mud.
Well things were going to good. There had to be trouble. Sure enough, the tenant had called the police when we started working in the yard. The police came to get us arrested. However we did have permission to dig up the yard. We had to call DC Regulatory Affairs who came and confirmed that we had permission.
What's amazing is that we were doing work that would benefit the Tenant since they did not have water due to the sewer line collapse.
During this time, our Innovation paid off once again. We politely stopped work and contacted the Chief Inspector at his house (on Sunday) who directed his Deputy to visit the property to inform the tenants and the Police (7D) that we indeed had permission.
I assured the Deputy Inspector that I would take pictures on my Iphone and send it to him over the weekend as we continued our work.
Navigating:
This was a great decision to attack the yard methodically and only after guidance and permission from the Chief Inspector.
DCRA was more than helpful and supportive, working all weekend to provide advice and guidance, even when the tenant called the Police to arrest us for digging up the yard.
I had informed her we had permission to dig up but she wouldn't believe me. The police came to stop the work. I then called DCRA who immediately came over to tell us that we had permission and to continue the work -- they were remarkable.
The main take-aways here are
1) Honesty and Integrity
2) Respect to Authorities (Police who came to stop our work despite having permission)
3) Transparency and Decency (To Tenants and Authorities)
4) Faithful and constant Communication
5) Hard work, perseverance and ingenuity
At the last minute, we decided to install a clean out -- which was a great idea. Also from the clean out we can check to see whether there is a clear flow out to the street.Copy of green sticker approving sewer line replacement work
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