CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A northwest Charlotte homeowner says nearby stormwater work has caused in more damage to her home.
Daretha Hodges, who has owned the home since 2005, said she but currently can't use the kitchen and dining room or replace the kitchen floors.
[Charlotte to pilot $5M program to address stormwater backlog issues]
Her kitchen backyard is also mostly out of commission, she said.
Throughout the house, there are hairline cracks in the floors and on the walls, according to Hodges.
All of this is still happening after the city, last year, finally fixed a pipe near her home that had cracked in 2011.
"I can't sell the house. I can't rent the house. I can't do anything," Hodges said. "I am stuck."
It took seven years for Charlotte's stormwater team to address her issue. The city of Charlotte has a stormwater project backlog. Currently, there are 1,500 projects outstanding.
The city of Charlotte established a drainage area in her backyard but Hodges says it is too low and it fills up with water.
"It just sits like a bathtub until there is enough water to overflow into my backyard," she said.
Hodges said experts have told her that excess water is softening the clay and it is weakening her foundation.
The city said the warranty for the project has ended and a post-construction inspection found no changes to the conditions of the house.
Hodges said the cracks tell a different story
She said she hopes the city will come back to address the issue, so she doesn't have to pursue legal action.
"The only recourse I have is to find an attorney," she said.
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