Should I go to bat for my new patio?

August 22, 2014 2:50 PM

Yesterday we had a tree trimming service visit our house to remove parts of several large trees. Today I noticed that in the process, they dragged limbs (and/or tools) across our brand-new brick paver patio, leaving several noticeable stains/scuffs. Not sure how to proceed.

Part of me wants to let it go, part of me is very annoyed that our less-than-two-week-old patio now has several stains and marks across it. Don't really know if I have justification to request compensation or what I should even ask for. Replacing the pavers would be a headache and expensive, and I doubt the tree trimmers would even go for that. It's not major structural damage, but it is superficial damage to something that is new and valuable. I had a thought I could request for them to pay for a power-washing.

The disclaimer in their quote reads: "Collateral damage items BlahBlah Tree Care bears no responsibility for saw dust, grass and items below the surface of the ground, e.g electric lines, gas lines and Irrigation." and this clearly falls outside of that.

posted by gnutron to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

As you say the disclaimer doesn't cover the damage they caused to your property. I suggest you first get a quote for fixing the stains and scuffs, then take it to the tree trimming service and request reimbursement. And I think time is of the essence here - you need to convince them that they really did cause the damage.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:08 PM on August 22, 2014

If it was just limbs, then pressure washing should be totally sufficient - ask the service to cover this for you or do it themselves. If there are actual gouges in the bricks from steel tools (though I can't image what type of tools a tree service would want to drag that would be heavy enough), you might need more work, but why not start with some pressure washing?
posted by ssg at 3:29 PM on August 22, 2014 [2 favorites]

Agreeing [almost entirely] with ssg above. If the surface isn't gouged then a little natural weathering will make the marks disappear. It's just wood in the voids based on your description. It might take a season but it will "weather in" and look fine. Rather than pressure washing - which I did for a living and which nozzle has a brick destroying amount of pressure if you aren't careful and is an actual skill - I would just use a long handled scrubbing brush and a tad of soap to make it pristine again.

If the surface is gouged though I would get mean.

Pictures would be helpful.
posted by vapidave at 5:25 PM on August 22, 2014 [2 favorites]