Tree trimmers for Duke Power broke my new driveway

muskrat

Caterpillar Killer
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
494
Location
Asheboro
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I just spent nearly $12,000 for a concrete garage floor and driveway 4 weeks ago. Now a tree service for Duke Power comes through and cracks the driveway. My wife said she saw their truck back in and run off the side of the driveway Monday but we didn't notice the crack until this morning. Their stuff is still in the yard and I can see the dually ruts in the grass.

I'm pissed.

We have pics and my FIL is going down the road to see if he can find them. I'm stuck at work, not much I can do at the moment.

What else can I do?

EW.jpg ns.jpg
 
No experience with this but that sucks. Hopefully the pics and fact that their equipment is still there will be enough proof for them to pay for repairs.
 
Don't be vague or they'll just come shake a bale of straw on the ruts and claim they fixed it.

What exactly do you want them to do?
 
Contact their office first if you can find out who they are if not contact Duke power since they contract to them. I had my mail box destroyed once by contract mowers and the state made them come and fix it. Duke should do the same.

I once had my truck sprayed with insulation after parking where the guys spraying the insulation said it was safe to park. When I showed them what they did they said to contact their office on Monday(this was on a Saturday) and tell them. I could see them saying they didn't know anything about it come Monday so I called the local cops and filed a report so that wouldn't happen. You might want to consider that.
 
My FIL was able to find them and talk. A supervisor came over to the house and said they would do what it takes to fix it even if means pulling the slabs and repouring. Super nice guy says my wife. Need to get a quote and they must be able to take a credit card, he says. Strange but I guess they have company card for relatively small expenses. Probably cost $2,000 - $3,000 to put it back like it was.

He gave my wife a business card to get in touch and I've asked that she immediately send an email to him confirming everything he promised.

Anything else?
 
Looks like they cracked two slabs. They might be able to use a diamond blade and but just behind the crack on the section away from the road and then repour the next one as a whole piece.
 
Just to ask a potentially dumb question, what is underneath the concrete and how was the ground prepared? Also, how thick is the concrete and what PSI value did you have poured?

Given that it obviously flexed and fracked under what looks like the weight of a heavy wheel, I would be concerned about whether it will hold up under normal circumstances.
 
Last edited:
My FIL was able to find them and talk. A supervisor came over to the house and said they would do what it takes to fix it even if means pulling the slabs and repouring. Super nice guy says my wife. Need to get a quote and they must be able to take a credit card, he says. Strange but I guess they have company card for relatively small expenses. Probably cost $2,000 - $3,000 to put it back like it was.

He gave my wife a business card to get in touch and I've asked that she immediately send an email to him confirming everything he promised.

Anything else?
Probably wouldn’t hurt to call Duke Energy and ask for the Right Of Way Coordinator and make them aware that they are doing stuff like that. They are after all, a reflection of Duke
 
Burford's Tree Service is doing all the tree triming around here (WAKE CO.) for Duke. Good luck with the issue but I'll bet Duke or their tree service end up paying for it. I mean, I'll end up paying for it in my power bill. But good luck anyway.
 
Burford's took down two trees in my front yard number of years ago, Mr. B. himself was there.
 
Just to ask a potentially dumb question, what is underneath the concrete and how was the ground prepared? Also, how thick is the concrete and what PSI value did you have poured?

Given that it obviously flexed and fracked under what looks like the weight of a heavy wheel, I would be concerned about whether it will hold up under normal circumstances.

Compacted 4" of gravel on a gravel driveway that has been there for 20+ years. The slab is 4" of 3,500 psi fiber-reinforced and each slab joint has #4 dowels 2' o.c. Other than pouring a 6" slab, I don't think this could have been prevented. It was a big ass truck that put a bunch of weight on the corners. I may build up the backfill with gravel/soil on the sides of the driveway in the future.
 
Compacted 4" of gravel on a gravel driveway that has been there for 20+ years. The slab is 4" of 3,500 psi fiber-reinforced and each slab joint has #4 dowels 2' o.c. Other than pouring a 6" slab, I don't think this could have been prevented. It was a big ass truck that put a bunch of weight on the corners. I may build up the backfill with gravel/soil on the sides of the driveway in the future.
Sounds like you did it right to me. Even 6" of concrete may not have done it. Concrete has a hell of a compression strength, but it can't expand, which is clearly what the force of the big truck did. I think your plan to reinforce the sides is likely the best and most economical option the keep the edges from getting flexed.
 
If not cutting up and pouring two new complete slabs, definitely make sure they cut across the entire driveway in two equally sized cuts, remove those sections and pour two new sections. I've seen where contractors who damage a concrete driveway just come in and cut a box around the cracks, remove it, then pour a new small section and then scribe it. It always looks horrible and is much weaker than before.

Also, if you have difficulty getting a satisfactory result, contact an attorney. Have them shoot off a letter to Duke Energy. Trust me, it will get someone's attention. Duke themselves always seem to be on the homeowner's side. It's the dang contractors they hire that can be a problem. That's why it's good to directly contact Duke. Glad to hear your FIL had a good meeting with the supervisor.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom