On June 5 we paid Mr. Bob Cleaveland of Cleaveland Sewer and Excavation, LLC four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) for the installation of a new septic tank. On June 13 the system failed resulting in sewage backup into the basement of our home.investigation into the cause of the failure resulted in discovery, with the aid of the Yellowstone City-County Health Department, of the following facts:
Mr. Cleaveland had failed to properly notify the Health Department of the installation and obtain a permit,
Mr. Cleaveland had improperly installed the tank such that no risers or cleanouts were accessible,
Mr. Cleaveland had improperly installed the outlet tee such that the required filter could not be installed,
Mr. Cleaveland had used improper schedule piping to connect the tank to our existing sewer line,
Mr. Cleaveland had failed to cement or glue any of the pipe fittings,
Mr. Cleaveland had failed to properly bed and backfill the new piping you installed (which resulted in the trench collapsing and piping becoming disconnected and plugged with dirt leading directly to the backup of sewage into our home).
All of the above-mentioned facts have been documented using photographs and through the field notes of the Health Department representative who visited our home.
We were informed by the Health Department that the entire tank would need to be exposed for inspection and repairs. The Health Department also mandated that all of the piping be replaced with proper materials, and all trenches be properly backfilled following inspection by the Health Department.
We contacted Mr. Cleaveland several times requesting these actions be performed and were refused. Mr. Cleaveland specifically refused to expose the tank for inspection by the Health Department. We then verbally requested a full refund of money we paid Mr. Cleaveland in order to have the work completed properly by another contractor. Mr. Cleaveland has refused that request as well. We have sent written demand for a refund via Certified Mail and by regular U.S. Mail.
We were forced to hire a new contractor to make repairs. We were, however, able to salvage the tank Mr. Cleaveland installed through the work the other contractor performed. We have now effectively paid for the same work twice because the work Mr. Cleaveland performed was not done in accordance with accepted standards, the work failed resulting in damage to our home, and Mr. Cleaveland has refused to make the repairs or refund money paid.
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