Neighbour has (accidentally) emptied pool into my garden!

[Madwife123]

My garden is completely under water! Was panicking trying to work out where from and spotted my neighbours MASSIVE pool (at least 12 ft) is up against the fence and is leaking fast into my garden from a puncture. I’ve tried phoning and knocking the door of neighbour but no answer, she’s probably in bed. The water is still coming and fast. My flower beds are under at least 8 inches of water and the pool isn’t even half empty! What do I do?

Neighbour is awake 🎉🎉

Not through relentless banging, I’m not that cruel. But her dog warming her of the random teen in the garden woke her up.

The chlorine won’t kill your garden. Not unless they’ve seriously overdosed the pool with it.

@BillyShears That’s helpful to know. I know they are always out doing some kind of maintenance on the pool in the summer so it’s well looked after and I doubt overdosed.

The grass I’m sure will be fine and if not it’s likely to wrecked from the kids by the end of summer anyway. It’s my plant beds I’m most worried about. They are slightly lower than the grass so that’s where all the water has pooled and doesn’t seem to be soaking in. Would this much water lead to root rot? They are newly planted.

What has your neighbour said about it?

Thank goodness for that. Well done to you and your son

Take lots of pictures OP, to prove its their pool that's leaking. You might not be able to get in touch with them but theirs no reason why they shouldn't be held accountable for any damage to your garden.

Agree with others chlorine evaporates fast so unless it was topped up recently you’ll be fine.

Water pressure damage to plants is more your issue - did you have many bedding/annuals/delicates in? Shrubs and roses etc should be fine.

If you plants are ruined - you might be able to claim on neighbours or your house insurance.. depending on policy of course.

Neighbour is mortified and very apologetic. Immediately offered to rectify any damage.

I think it’s just the new plants that are likely at risk really as they won’t have deep roots yet and probably end up with root rot as the water is taking a long time to absorb. Heavy clay soil isn’t helping that.

Google says the grass might yellow from the chlorine but the dog peeing does anyway so not worried about that.

Going to leave it overnight and assess the damage in the morning when I can see.

Teen son is getting lots of praise right now. I’d never have gotten my large backside over that fence!

Your son is a champion!

Everywhere is so dry. I'm sure it will soon drain away and not hurt your plants. The risk would be if the water deluged baby plants or swept them away, if not that then I think they'll be fine.

Can you give the soil where your plants are little poke about with a fork to loosent he surface and help the water soak in.

@PrincessNutella

Indeed he is! Feeling very guilty about the moan I had about him recently as he’s heavy handed and hyperactive due to disabilities yet bloody enormous so hard to handle. Turns out that is a very useful skill when it comes to scaling a fence.

@CoRhona

If you're somewhere hot your garden is going to absolutely love you

🤣🤣

@Teenagehorrorbag Fingers crossed!

The sunflowers have been completely washed away. They were planted right by where the water came in. I’m not worried about them but DD will be heartbroken if none survive as she’s been carefully tending to them.

Your flowers will probably be fine, unless they've visibly been swept away already. As it was a puncture and not purposeful I would let it go personally, the water will probably be gone by morning!

Your son is brilliant, OP!

I know it's shit, but it's lovely to hear of two neighbours sorting an issue out amicably!

I thought the same @Sadiecow !

Your son is amazing!
It's lucky you have a nice neighbour.

Hopefully there isn't too much damage xx

I doubt they've put chlorine into a 12 foot inflatable pool.

@StarlitTrees

Strange how it's been so frantic and so much has happened, yet from the times of your posts, you've just spent all of it writing messages on here...

OP has already said (in so many words) that she’s done bugger all to help! 🤣

Bloody muppets with this kind of thing in gardens

Where else would they put them?