Driveway Access

River Rat Dad

My neighbor, a very elderly woman is having basement water problems. The city is working with her in some fashion, not sure how. A B-dry system was installed recently. It helped but did not solve her problem.
The rumor now is they are going to dig up the side of her house down to the basement. To do so they will have to run some sort of heavy equipment in my driveway. My driveway is cement and about 44 years old. It has no major cracking in it and is in good condition for its age.
At this point no one has yet contacted me about using my driveway.

My question is regarding potential damage. What might I reasonably expect to happen with regard to possible damage to the driveway?

River Rat Dad

Testing

River Rat Dad

Not the best picture but thats my driveway and the right hand edge of the neighbors house

Double-A

hmm, who is doing the work? Specifically?

Some of the folks with the 'city' here are not with the city at all. Our waste water folks are actually a private company that is contracted and they are sooooooooo easy to get along with.

Take pictures of your drive and measure your cracks at specific points. If something changes, contact them and ask them to rectify the situation.

I've known the waste water folks to re pour driveways if they damage them.

River Rat Dad

spoke with the neighbor a few minutes ago. A private contractor is doing the work. I think the city may be footing some or all of the bill with some sort of low/fixed income/elderly program.

I should add that I am not the kind of guy looking for a free new driveway to replace a 44 year old driveway. I would be just fine with some minor damage. Just worry/wonder about major damage. Also wondering about whether "unseen" damage might show up later. Is that a reasonable concern or not?...

Double-A

Yes, this is always a concern, you can ask them to protect with 3/4" plywood over the drive, to spread the load, and to use only soft track machine.

But, having said that, your concrete, being more than 30 years old, is as strong as it will ever be. The only thing you really have to worry about is damage from stupidity or a bad sub base for the concrete. If it was poured on compacted base, and nothing has changed from water leaks or the like, it'll be fine.

Grumpy

Legally you can not stop them from using your property for their equipment, though if damage were to occur they would legally be liable to repair said damages.

I have had people call the cops on us for placing ladders in their yard while working on the neighbor's house. Ya know those neighborly fueds... Anyways when the cops get there the answer is always the same, we have legal easment to use their property.

Anyways that's how the law is written in IL.

I think Double A had some pretty good advice. Take some pics of before and during and if there are any damages you have exhibit A and B.

River Rat Dad

thanks for the input guys