Road repair damaging my house

Sambat2000

Recently a new house has been built opposite my property. As part of the build they have installed a new water supply which required the water board to cut across the road to my side of the road.
Now every time a heavy vehicle goes up or down the road my house shakes. My house was built in 1890 and in the 14 years we have been here we have had no problems with the structure, until now. Cracks are now appearing throughout the property.
I have contacted planning at our Council as they granted approval for the work and have been told it is nothing to do with them, and was also politely told to ensure we have suitable house insurance to cover any damage. I am amazed the council can wash their hands of a problem that has arisen due to their planning approval.
The problem is probably exacerbated by vehicles speeding in our 30mph limit, however attempts to get an any authority, including the police, to control vehicle speeds has failed miserably.
Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.

casper_g

It's a little bit difficult to understand what the problem is here. Is it that the water board's work on the road has been done badly leaving a bump, and vehicles going over this are causing vibrations that you think are causing the cracking, similar to the complaints we sometimes hear about speed bumps causing problems?

ILW

Nothing to do with the council. Are you saying that substandard work by the water board is causing damage to your house?

Sambat2000

I believe this could be the problem. I believe the 3rd party company that did the work for the water board did not do the work correctly when they filled the trench (in fact they let the builder back fill the trench with spoil from the building site) This could be causing the main pipe to bounce and cause vibrations into my property, and in turn causing the cracking.

Sambat2000

As an additional item: at worst when a bus goes by I experience a thump similar to someone hitting my house with a hammer. As I work from home I notice that there is a vibration that passes through my desk every time a bus goes by - my office is about 20 yards from the road which is the furthest point from the road.

ILW

It appears any claim you may have will be with the waterboard and possibly their contractor. You will need a structural engineers report to prove they have caused any damage though.

Your insurance company will have the resources to follow this through if you put in a claim.

Sambat2000

Can I just check then - I would need to contact my insurance company and they would arrange any action against the Water Board 3rd party? Do I need to wait until significant damage has been done to my property?

maninthestreet

What water pipe is strong enough to be able to make a nearby property 'bounce'?

ILW

Sambat2000 wrote: »

Can I just check then - I would need to contact my insurance company and they would arrange any action against the Water Board 3rd party? Do I need to wait until significant damage has been done to my property?

Speak to them and see what they say.

Sambat2000

Hi Maininthestreet - What I meant was the backfilling on the trench work could be causing the mains pipe to bounce, hence causing the vibration that is being felt in the house, not the actual house bouncing.

poppysarah

"Cracks are now appearing throughout the property."

I'd speak to the insurance company.