Water Backup onto Property
 

I’m posting this to see if anyone else has experience with similar issues, or can give me direction.

I live on a corner lot. On the corner, is a berm, with landscaping, all property of The Villages. I’ve owned my new built for about 8 months, so I’m still under warranty. The water from the berm area drains onto my property.

For about the first four months, there were no drainage issues. About four months ago, I began to notice that there was always a small puddle of water on the corner of my driveway. I also noticed that the strip of grass from the berm all the way down to my driveway was always damp. I also noticed that a small depression began to form on the outside of the berm, just beyond my property line.

About a month ago, I began to see the amount of water coming down from the berm, along the grassy area of the front curb to my driveway increasing. I was told to call the Villages Utilities. They sent out someone - they turned on my irrigation and said the pipes were all functioning at full capacity. They did the same on their property, and I was told that there may be some slight blockage to their pipes. I asked if I would be contacted what the issue is at their end, and I was told no, since it was not my property.

In the last few weeks, there has been a huge increase in water in my yard. Now there is standing water at all times in my front yard. That area of depression by the berm has grown deeper, but is now relatively dry. I’ve been in contact with several entities. Here is where I’m at:

1) I called the Villages Water/Utilities again - this time they said that potential problem is not in there jurisdiction and for me to contact the District.
2) Called the District - they sent a pair of workers out in less than an hour of call (great service) - They discovered my meter box is completely flooded. They turned on my irrigation as well as the irrigation on Villages property, and said the flow is full at each end, and based on this ruled out any pipe breaks. When I told them, then what is the source of all this backed up water, they first attributed it to recent rains. When I told them it’s been wet and swampy for a few weeks, including our recent hot streak with no rain, they then said it could be ground water swelling up and collecting in my front yard. They said this happens sometimes. I then asked why is this not happening to any of my neighbors? They went across the street and pulled my neighbors meter box - it was bone dry. I then asked, where do I go from here, as this water has a source of someplace, and it doesn’t appear to be rain water. They then said I should talk to warranty dept, since my home is new, and maybe they would put in a French drain, or maybe build up the soil level, since there is a noticeable deep depression in my front yard where the water is accumulating.
3) Called warranty dept - they are going to send out Tri-Valley landscapers to look at the problem.
4) I then called my landscaper, who also came out to look at issue. He feels the issue is the small depression on Villages property, and that there is probably a pin-hole leak, that would not be diagnosed simply by running the irrigation. He said the villages would need to dig up the area around the depression and inspect. He also said, why is there a depression now, when there was none when I bought the house.

I’m waiting now on Tri-County, but am worried they will send me back to the District again. I’m hoping this will get taken care of since I’m under warranty. I feel like I’m getting a lot of snap diagnosis without any real inspections being done.

Sorry for long-winded post - appreciate any feedback - thank you.

They generally take care of warranty issues so why not wait until they inspect it and get back to you?

I hope warranty inspection solves your problem.
Otherwise, as the water does not originate from your property, it looks as if you could be involved in a serious game of 'Pass the Parcel.'

Yep, sorry to say this is nothing to miss with, hell I wouldn't wait
for any cheesy inspection.
Water forming in low lots should be address sooner then later especially
when a new build in volved.

Warranty should have an opportunity to see the problem.

Since the warranty department is already scheduled to take a look, find out what they have to say.

If that doesn't lead to some action then write to one or more of your District Supervisors and ask them for assistance.

If that doesn't help then go to your monthly District meeting and go up to the microphone and ask what you need to do to get something done. I have seen the District meeting approach work to get attention a couple of times.

That’s helpful Bill thanks - of course I will wait for warranty dept to hopefully resolve issue - I’m still learning about the districts and district meetings, so this is good info for me if I need to escalate (I sure hope not).

For your own protection, put everything in writing “…..to confirm our phone conversation (meeting), I understand that…….” And send it to them. Paper always better than verbal ….. avoids misunderstandings and gets a date on record

You might consider adding sinkhole coverage to your homeowner’s coverage, and the sooner the better.

No way to know for sure, but I have been working in landscape for 45 years. Sure sounds like an irrigation leak. Frankly, with the easy to dig sandy soils, I'd dig up that sink hole myself and have a look.

Agree with putting Everything in writing, as stated so well above!

Also, keep that running time/date stamp going as you have in your post.
It is clear and concise. Excellent job.

The responsible departments are less likely to pass-the-buck when they know you have been vigilent at engaging proper authorities and documenting everything.

Only speak to the department heads from this point. You'll have to request a call back, but it's worth the wait. Document who you are speaking to every time you make that request.

Depressions never dry up or stop, as we know. They need immediate attention and geo-technical inspections.
Lastly, if it were us, we would document, but demand action. Keep us updated, you're doing all the right things, just stay vigilent, you're catching this early before it becomes a full blown sinkhole. They call fill it with either dirt or grout and stop the depression, but they have to determine the root problem.
Best of luck.

Agree.

Maybe shut off the irrigation system most likely to be the source for a week and see what happens?

Too much coffee this morning? Not unusual for meter boxes to be flooded during rainy season.

Not sure if I’m responding correctly but Michael can you contact me I have the same issue in Richmond. Pb911@aol.com

I have a similar problem. I live in a Veranda. In one corner of the entrance to my backyard there has been constant wet soil. It’s located on the side that is my neighbors home. I have had MICO out twice. They don’t believe it’s broken irrigation. My neighbor also called warranty and also spoke to MICO who claims they don’t cover the issue we’re having since it’s not an irrigation.
So now up to placing another call to warranty and I believe my neighbor is too.

Hate to say this, but if you don't get help from the District government or the warranty department, it may be time to hire your own civil engineer and get a written report. I agree with the post that recommends a good geo-technical assessment, which might require more than a landscaper.

The Village's will carefully massage you until the warranty runs out. Then you will see how they really work.

Don’t forget to get photo documentation. I see a lot of reference to sinkhole’s in the post’s, which can confuse the issue. I would also look at any other pipes in the area surrounding your home ie: potable water, sewer and especially any drainage pipes. Many times leaks in the joints of the pipe leak and they start to erode surrounding soils. Hope you resolve your issue.

This is what happened to me. I am also on a corner lot. About 8 months after I moved in (during summer months) I noticed water building up in the front by the wall to the street. Constant muddy lawn from vehicles turning/driving over edge of lawn. I also had a wet mushy lawn in the back yard on the other side of my house that butts up to the neighbors house.
I called the warranty department multiple times. They sent landscaping and irrigation out and they said said everything was fine. I insisted it wasn’t and they sent the builders foreman out. He was awful. In the end he said you have added rock to your landscaping so we are no longer responsible. Apparently if you make any changes to your landscaping it voids the warranty.
I ended up having ACI irrigation come out and they said I had too many irrigation heads on my property. They capped off 12 heads. Can you imagine 12 heads to many? It Fixed the front yard completely but I still had an issue in the back side yard so I only run that zone 2x a week for 5 minutes in the summer and it has been better but with this summers rain I did shut it off for 2 weeks because it was to wet in the back yard.
I hope you have better luck than I did with this. My advice would be to stay persistent.

Join the club! And they will tell you that you are one of the only ones complaining and 99% don't have any problems.

Sink hole insurance generally only covers you if it occurs under any part of you slab.

Lawns and driveways are not covered, but read the fine print in your policy.

Revelant beginning at 36 minute mark, Rusty Nelson discusses his drainage issue and how he worked with the warranty department and how it was resolved:
https://youtu.be/a_KoURr_ckw

That is what I thought but I didn't want to say anything because I wasn't sure. I've seen our irrigation box under water when the irrigation guy opened it up. He said that the water in there was normal. I never gave it another thought after that.

Can you get a sample of the water. Probably several samples on different days and when their was no rain for a period of time. Then get the water tested to see if it has the same chemicals as the drinking water.

I had a neighbor with a water problem (not leaks) and a French drain did correct the problem.

But daily for several weeks? All my neighbors are bone dry.

“I’m waiting now on Tri-County”
Maybe when they come you can ask them.

Shut off the irrigation on both sides for a week and see if it improves.

We also had an issue, but finally got warranty to correct the issue, took several conversations. You are correct in presenting and pushing on this before your year warranty is up.

Consult a lawyer to conserve your options before your warranty expires.

Keep us updated…..we are interested in finding out how this is resolved.
Everytime you talk to warranty, mention that you post regularly on TOTV and the community is following your experiences.
Documenting all your conversations is a great idea.
People on NEXTDOOR might also have some relevant advice for you.

Thanks - I will - and I’ll update this thread with status

Start taking photos and date them. Document all calls (time/date/who contacted, their position) and summary of call. Follow up with confirmation emails of call specifics. Best be prepared and not needed as opposed to not having an audit trail.

Some good advice.

But Warranty rep hasn’t responded yet, and some TOTV posters want to call in the calvery.

Others will get cross!:icon_wink:

We always wait 1 year 7 days, before we make any changes or improvements to a new house here. That way warranty and contractors can’t say that’s why there is a problem.

A few months ago, I looked at the water meter location in my front yard (not in TV) and it was completely covered with water. I called the water company. They came out and located a leak on THEIR side of the meter. They repaired it and apologized for the inconvenience.

My suggestion is to look at your water meter dial and see if that little needle/pointer is moving. If it is, then there is water running through the meter. If you are not deliberately running water somewhere while the needle is moving, then you have a water leak somewhere.

Another thing you can do that will take a little effort is to start digging in the wettest spot and then follow the water. You'll quickly discover the direction it is coming from by continuing to dig toward the wettest area. Good luck.

Warranty stalled us on many issues. They had the one year clock run out so they could say it's too late. Many unreturned phone calls from their subs. They turn it around and say we didn't return calls. We have documentation we called, but it doesn't matter. That first year is crucial - keep on them non-stop daily, the clock is ticking.

The statement that "as long as it's reported in the first year it is covered by warranty" is propoganda spread by sales.

Good luck!

Good advice to consult an attorney. However, do not threaten The Villages with legal action nor even mention you are obtaining legal counsel. If you do, they will probably stop working with you and won't even respond.

The person who you speak with in the warranty dept, just forwards your issues. Making a statement that you post on a website will get you zero points.


OP are you sending emails to warranty dept, so rolling documentation is available. You will get a response that that email has been forwarded to ————. If no contact from ——— using a rolling email documents each contact and saves time from making phone calls to a person who writes down your concern. Print is key, along with photos. I will say changing landscape prior to year warranty, May be your down fall.

I see your point. I've seen our irrigation box only a couple of times so I haven't monitored the accumulation of water.