Muscatine

Open question out to everyone.

Background information:

Back yard neighbor (#1) installs two underground drain lines (2 inch PVC lines ?) from the back of his house to approx 3 feet from the property line fence. These drain lines carry all the rain water/snow melt from his roof and gutter system.

We have had some water flow changes in our backyard since last year's install but today took the cake.

A small wall washed out, my basement flooded through a basement window area, water in my raised shed, patio flooded and I had water up to and trying to come in the back door. My flower beds that line the inside of the fence are just about totally washed away.

Yes I'm on the down hill side and we all know it runs downhill but isn't there some thing about intentially draining upon your neighbors property?

The neighbor (#2) on the other side of me said he also suddenly had water and his retaining wall along the driveway looked like a water fall had been installed. He has lived there over fifteen years and has never had or seen any thing like this water flow change.

Any and all thoughts, comments (?) or suggestions are welcome.

Thank you everyone for your assistance in this matter in adavance.

Roger

If not illegal it probably should be. I don't know for sure if it is or isn't.

 It is in fact illegal to divert or channel runoff on to neighboring property,either from gutters or grade.The time to have reported this would have been before todays deluge but that ship has already sailed.I'm guessing you live in Muscatine?If so contact the city engineer Rob Mc Donald if he can't help you he can point you in the right direction.It maybe a building code violation if so Rich Jones would be the person to contact. If you haven't already I would contact my insurance agent and a lawyer asap, your neighbor should probally be ready to start writing checks.Was this work done by the homeowner or a contractor?

Yes we live in Muscatine.

A contractor did do the work, at least it was not the home owner.

We didn't much pay attention to what was going on as it seems everyone is always doing something or another in their yards. Started to notice the water changes and investigated more. Found the two green pop ups and watched them during a couple of previous rains. Yesterdays gully washer blew the pop ups clear off and the water was a good 6 inch tall from each.

Basement carpet is drying in the driveway, the mop and shop vac are in standby mode, and the dehumidifier is running full out. Just makes one wonder what other damage was caused but we don't know about yet.  Foundation ?

Thanks for the names. Monday morning I'll be contacting them all. Had already planned to start with someone at City Hall and then my lawyer. I took lots of photos during every thing.

Thanks again for the information.