Well, at least it looks like he has the right equipment! When I did such a job, I dug it with a shovel.

Way hard that way.

Moni

Well that is just the cutest little tractor I've ever seen! At least it appears you have the perfect slope for the job which helps. How deep is the trench? Did he have to dig below the frost line? That's a lot of work.

You have my sympathy, Gazania. And my admiration.

I had a project-oriented husband, and I'm familiar with the "job well done" syndrome. Gotta love it! :-)

gazania - Our 70 something neighbor is on 3 days a week dialysis and thrives on mowing the lawn with his garden tractor, planting, fixing, etc. That is what keeps him going and in good spirits. He's had some bad health issues this summer, but each time he rebounds and gets back up on that tractor :-) His wife just shakes her head in wonder!!

I have one of those stubborn DHs too! Doesn't matter about the heart attack, stents, bad back, hip and leg....he won't stop. And for the same reason, you can't get good help these days. He'd rather attempt it first, as far as his pain will let him, then when and if he screws up or can't continue we pay more to re-do it! I feel for you....you are not alone!

Kudos to your dh. I wish mine would get inspired to do something. His Kubota with the front end loader looks like the one I had before moving to the city.

Linda

Yep, mine won't hire anyone to do anything that he could do better, either. Mine doesn't have health problems, though and I still worry about him, so I can't imagine all your concerns, Gazania. I hope he's pacing himself.

It's going to be great though, once it's done, right? Looks like a real big job.

Big job! It gives him great satisfaction to do this. I know what he means about no one else doing a good job. You have to stand and watch them so they don't take shortcuts.

My suggestion would be that he pace himself--not too much in any given day. Take breaks, be sure to eat breakfast and lunch.

Um, I hate to be (maybe) the bearer of bed news but my grandmother has a system like that and she's finding it a huge problem. If the water freezes in the street and someone has an accident they can sue. You might want to check that out if your hubby hasn't already done so.

Karen

Oh, he learned to pace himself 25 years ago with his first 4 heart bypasses at age 43. Breakfast is never a missed meal and he takes a break to do a blood sugar every 2 hours when he is working hard like this.

Karen, the plans were discussed with the township, and this is allowed. It is the only option here as we have no storm sewers...the edge of the road is higher by about a foot than where the drain comes out and there is a shallow ditch between the road and the drain to channel run off water. It really doesn't seem right to me either, but the 'powers that be' say it is.

A cute story that goes with this...A 9 year old next door neighbor boy (John was recently diagnosed with Aspergers Autism) when hearing of the upcoming dig that would start on Saturday, was really excited and announced that he was going to help with the digging. The start was delayed till Saturday afternoon due to DH's birthday breakfast out with DD and then we all did the Charity Heart Walk together. When we got home, there was a message on the answering machine from John wanting to know when the digging would start. He was waiting out in the yard with his shovel, a hoe and 2 12" inch rulers since 7 am! His Mother said that she couldn't keep him in the house, because he was sure that he would miss the whole thing if he went in. John did get to help. DH gave him a 5 foot strip to work in that was too tight for the tractor and he was delighted...for about 2 hours. It was hard work and his Mother said that is the longest he has stuck with anything that she could remember

I have a DH like that and he states the same reasons. He is such a perfectionist that sometimes it drives me up the wall. He also has several heath problems, but it doesn't stop him. I keep asking - which is cheaper, hiring someone or the hospital bill!
Clare

OK, tell, why the more solid white pipe, instead of the flexible black pipe?

I used the latter in Tulsa, and have to do another here. I need to figure out, which I want to use this time.

Moni

Moni - we had the flexible black pipe and tree roots broke through and clogged the pipe. We had a major mess because the sump pump system then backed up and flooded the basement.

We replaced it with the heavy PVC pipe and the trees roots just grow around it. Plus you can easily snake the inside of the PVC to see if there are any roots.

Moni, DH says that flex pipe would have to be laid in on a perfectly smooth and solid surface or you would get dips in it that would allow water and debris from the roof to build up in those dips where it could freeze and impede water flow especially if you don't have a very steep drop. We have good drop from the house to the street here, but he is still laying the solid pipe on sand to make sure that there is little or no flex in it.

Ya gotta love a man who enjoys playin in the dirt...I so admire him for taking on this chore and certainly understand about "rather do it myself and know it's done right!"

I actually admire him! My DH is a procrastinator. I am happy to see someone whose had all those heart issues still working strong. I think I tend to let my DH get away with things because he's had 1 heart attack and a stent. I think I need to show him the pictures of your husband and tell him to get to work!

Sheryl

By the way, I meant to mention that your DH sounds like my FIL. He's had 3 triple bypasses and a pacemaker installed and still has an irregular heartbeat, and yet at 74 he still goes to work each day, remodels his cabin by himself, and never stops moving. It drives everyone crazy, but I believe that is what's keeping him alive. He tried retirement once and THAT is what almost killed him.

Sheryl

Thanks for the info Gazania. I will use the white solid pipe this time. I know, mine in Tulsa has hills and valleys in it. :)

But then, I did it myself. :)

{{!gwi}}

showing where the phone and electric lines are:
{{!gwi}}

going under the fence:
{{!gwi}}

I did put holes in the pipe, for water to drain out at the bottom. Guess, I hope the new owners (if we ever get some) will have to deal with it. :)

Moni

Wowser...what alot of work. I had a thought, up here in Minnesota there is alot of talk with rainwater gardens to catch rain water run off. Not feasible for me..can't afford to have done and I just couldn't do it my-self. I think the county I live in has info and alot of stuff on it on-line. I put in a link...not sure if it works. Lucky you...I have to beg to get DH to help around here. He is a nice guy but...I broke a bone in my hand and couldn't do mowing..took him 2 weeks to get around to it. I just get so mad at him...I hate having to ask for help around here all the time. I am about ready to move into a townhouse because less work.