Water Services construction - property rehab
When working on construction projects, sometimes we need to excavate or dig through parts of a property, road or sidewalk. The construction work may impact things like grass, fencing, alleys, curbs, or driveways.
Learn more below about the process for property rehabilitation after a Water Services construction project.
How and when are property rehabilitation requests completed?
Property rehab work is completed seasonally, from May to September, and is dependent on the availability of materials. We respond to property rehab requests within eight weeks of our seasonal timeframe. Requests that are received after the end of September are carried forward to the next May.
Temporary asphalt may be placed on a driveway or sidewalk to make the area safe. Replacement of temporary asphalt patch with permanent concrete will be scheduled by Mobility for the following construction season (which typically means at least 12 months) to allow the ground time to settle and go through one season or freeze/thaw cycles. This reduces the chances that the concrete will crack or sink.
Please note: Depending on the nature of the repair and volume of repair requests being worked on, there may be some delays in completing rehabilitation work. As a result, the rehab work may not be completed in the same May-to-September timeframe as when the construction work started.
We are committed to completing projects to the highest quality; including returning your property to its former condition. We regret any inconvenience our work causes. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
Construction work done by the City of Calgary
When construction work is completed by Water Services, you will receive notification via a door hanger detailing further information about your property rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation to sod, grass, seed, loam, fencing or dirt
If you require the above repair work after our construction activities are complete and the crew has moved offsite, please complete an online service request or call 311.
You can also use the above request if rehabilitation work has relapsed from a repair done by Water Services in the last two years (if the original repair has been compromised).
Rehabilitation to alleys, roads, sidewalks gutters or walkways
The City of Calgary Roads division regularly completes repairs for water construction projects such as re-grading/re-paving of alleys or roads, public sidewalks, gutters, curbs, private walkways and/or driveways.
In addition, this request can be used to report other sidewalk issues such as broken concrete, uneven sidewalks, tree root damage, tripping hazards or damage to an existing wheelchair ramp.
Construction work done by a private contracting company
If a private construction company completed the construction work, they will be responsible for the property repair work.
Please use the contact information provided to you on the customer notification if you have any questions or concerns.
After a property rehab - taking care of sod or grass seeds
Below, you will find tips on how to maintain sod or grass seed after The City has completed rehabilitation work to your property.
Taking care of new sod
Once or twice a week, apply enough water to the sod and the top 10-15 centimetres (4-6 inches) of soil to keep the area evenly moist.
You can check the soil moisture by carefully lifting one corner of the sod. When the grass has rooted, resume regular watering, which is 2.5 centimetres (one inch) or water every 7-10 days for a healthy lawn with deep roots.
Taking care of grass seeds
Water lightly every 2-3 days, preferably with a soaker hose set at a low flow. Apply enough water to moisten the top 15 cm (six inches) of soil. Germinated grass seeds can die if allowed to dry out.
When the grass reaches eight centimetres (three inches) high, mow it with a sharp blade set at five centimetres (two inches) high. During the first year, do not apply weed killer or fertilizer containing weed killer. Even though weeds will appear, they will die after the first few mowings.
Please note: Because private irrigation systems are not tracked or documented, it is up to the property owner to fix any disturbances made to the lines.