This is not what we planned for a joyous new year: basement flood on the night of December 31st followed by morning diagnosis of broken and dislocated terracotta sewage pipe dating from 1950’s, due to tree roots. Of course, the broken pipe runs directly under the new patio and sunporch.
The big dig.
The solution is to lay a new PVC pipe across the middle of the backyard. In the process, another problem has been uncovered. (Isn’t that always the way? More on this another time.) Today, trenches are being dug with an excavator, the old terracotta pipe from the house is being cut away from the cast iron pipe that exits the house, and a new pipe is being connected to link the house with the main pipe at the far edge of our property.
Cutting away the old pipe to make way for the new.
It’s not an easy job and conditions are harsh. Huge stones are being excavated as the trenches are dug and the high temperature for the day so far is 34 degrees F. It was nearly ten degrees colder when work started this morning at 8.
View of boulder excavation as seen from the kitchen window.
Here’s the good news. The planned garden renovation, especially the retaining wall to be built between the upper and lower levels, was not yet underway.
Thank goodness for silver linings.
Hortitopia 