I didn't know....

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

...that I was responsible for the sidewalk out in front of my house. I got a letter from the City telling me that they had determined that the sidewalk in front of my house needs repairs, and that I would be responsible for paying...to the tune of almost $1000.00. The trees (that the city planted) have roots that grew under the sidewalk and caused part of it to lift and break at a seam in one section of the cement. The lifted crack is about 2 inches high.

Guess what? I also need a new garage door. My Dad had backed into it about 5 years ago and dented one of the 4 panels. The whole door is now buckling, and the screws are coming loose every time I open/close the garage door. I've been tightening up the screws every night for the past year. Some have fallen out and won't fit back into place, since the panels are bending. This week the edge on the main panel broke. Someone is coming out to look at it tomorrow (Friday) in the morning, and give me an estimate. On the phone they told me that the lowest cost for a double wide door like mine would be a bit over $1000.00. They can't replace just the panel...the whole door has to be replaced.

So there you have my story of the week. Oh..plus I still have the C.Diff super infection in my digestive tract. I'm having lots of fun...

[Nan]

Sorry about the persistence of the C difficile....can you get some independent legal advice about the City's order?

[olger]

Perhaps you could have the raised edge of the sidewalk ground down with a diamond grinder. They do that all the time in public areas when a corner or edge heaves up. That would buy you some valuable time - couple years at least.

As to the door, I'm guessing that the size is 16 x 7. Is it an insulated door?

[Gerr]

I have an uninsulated garage door. I am sorry now that I did not get an insulated one because it gets pretty hot in the garage. The front-back of the house is oriented north-south, so that the sun is on it until noon. Can I still add insulation to it?

[Gerr]

That's a suprising revelation to me also. I thought that's the city's/county's responsibility. Does that mean trimming the trees is also your responsibilty?

[Amelia]

Yes Gerry. That's pretty much the way it is for most Oregon cities. Pam, usually you have the option of getting someone else to do the work. Get quotes!.

[Liz]

((((Pam)))) Yuck yuck yuck. I agree get estimates, if you are responsible for the sidewalk then you should get to decide which company fixes it. We are still praying for you on your health issues too.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Well, I got the lowest bid for the garage door (yes, OG, it's a 16 x 7 ft insulated door). It's going to run $1065...that includes new door, railings, springs for the GD opener, and labor. I wonder if my house insurance would cover that??

I don't know what to do about the sidewalk. I thought some of getting a sack of cement mix and making a smooth slope. The city wants me to go through *their* contractor to fix the area. I don't know if I have a time period in which I would be required to get the area fixed.

Actually, I'm surprised that the city hasn't complained to me about my front yard. What with being so sick and all, I haven't been tending my front or backyards at all. I need a goat.

[Woody]

Having recently experience the issue with garage doors being backed into ... I found that auto insurance will cover it but not homeowners. However in your case ... it might be a little late to claim anything on insurance.

[Woody]

Quote:

I need a goat.

Or some Pathfinders :)

[aldona]

Quote:

I need a goat.

Or some Pathfinders

Aren't they feeding Pathfinders like they used to? What are potlucks coming to, when Pathfinders have to take on a goat's job?

AJ

[Woody]

TU TU TU

[nuff sed]

There is a deeded concrete walking sidewalk along the back of my mother's house. After a hurricane, the city sent in a big truck to haul out some downed trees. The truck broke up the sidewalk. The county refused to pay saying it was the homeowner's duty to keep the sidewalk in good repair. Cost us over $900 to repair. The county said that we could sue them if we wanted to. nuff sed

[olger]

The city has specs for their sidewalks. For instance it has to be 4000 psi concrete with bar or mesh in it. I would grind it first if I were you (if it isn't raised up too much - at least ask the city dept if that would suffice. What is the height differential on the concrete? Raised edge versus normal edge? Is the concrete cracked? Vegetation growing through it?

og

[olger]

Doctor C. closed-cell foam could be sprayed on the door to insulate it. May not win any beauty prizes, but Oh, so effective.

g

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The city has specs for their sidewalks. For instance it has to be 4000 psi concrete with bar or mesh in it. I would grind it first if I were you (if it isn't raised up too much - at least ask the city dept if that would suffice. What is the height differential on the concrete? Raised edge versus normal edge? Is the concrete cracked? Vegetation growing through it?

og

og, I just went out and looked at the sidewalk. The seam is right at the juncture of my driveway and the sidewalk. It looks like the sidewalk is about 2 inches higher than my driveway at that point. No other cracks or vegetation growing through.