FRUSTRATED homeowners have been forced to pay thousands to repair water damage that they had no control over or responsibility for in the first place.
And the most affected resident has slammed county leadership for neglecting its drain pipes, causing deep erosion to her property.
A Georgia homeowner’s driveway was flooded with waterCredit: WSB
Homeowner Amanda Hammett faced the same drain pipe issue three years prior, which caused a massive sinkholeCredit: WSB
Three years ago, the county repaired damage but hasn’t put in any preventative measuresCredit: WSB
This year, the problem occurred again, which rendered her driveway uselessCredit: WSB
Georgia homeowner Amanda Hammett said this is the second time this has happened in the last 3 years, as reported by ABC Atlanta local affiliate WSB-TV.
Hammett’s Dekalb County neighbor initially noticed the pools of water blocking her driveway as she drove down the block.
Because of the excessive flooding, Hammett can’t use her driveway at all.
She said this happens whenever there’s a waterline break in her neighborhood.
Three years ago, the WSB crew visited the same spot when a water line break created a massive sinkhole outside Hammett’s home.
After WSB’s story aired, Dekalb County officials repaired the sinkhole – but the problem persists.
“It was round two,” Hammett said. “We’re very frustrated.”
The homeowner’s plumber took pictures of the decaying water pipe, which was beginning to rust.
From the picture, it was clear that the bottom of the metal drain had eroded.
And now, trying to fix the problem has created more headaches for Hammett.
NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEM
Three years ago, the initial repair caused water runoff that badly eroded her property.
Dirt and land fell into the yard, creating massive craters, Hammett told WSB.
Hammett and her neighbors are frustrated that they are having to pay for repairs on the county’s storm drains.
Hammett’s neighbor, Bob Gillespie, said the erosion is also affecting his property.
You can’t expect the homeowner to be responsible for taking care of county storm drains. It’s ridiculous.
Bob Gillespie, ABC Atlanta affiliate WSB-TV
“I can look at my carport and part of the carport is slanted in, the foundation is caving in,” Gillespie said.
“You can’t expect the homeowner to be responsible for taking care of county storm drains. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
A concrete driveway costs an average of $2,700 to $14,500 to repair, according to Angi, a homeowner services company.
Depending on the size, finish, and cost of materials, homeowners usually spend $6,400 to repair a driveway.
However, there are instances in which homeowners have paid upwards of $20,000 for repairs, depending on the layout of the driveway.
Without county or city intervention, Hammett and her neighbors could be on the hook for all of it.
The DeKalb County has not immediately replied to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.