What Causes Sewer Backups?
Sewer back-ups can result from a lot of different sources. It could be a heavy rainstorm that overwhelms your home’s sewer system. The problem might by that your sump pump doesn’t have the ability to handle the water runoff. Bottom line is, before long, the raw sewage backs up into your home’s drains, overflowing tubs, toilets, or making a nasty mess in your basement. In addition to the awful smell, a backed-up sewer can cause severe damage to your walls, floors, furnishings, electrical outlets and appliances, as well as pose a major health hazard to your family.
Are Sewer Backups Covered By Homeowner’s Insurance? Sometimes.
Before we go any further, please take note: the types of damage that are and are not covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy varies depending on the plan that you have. For full details about what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers, please refer to your policy documents or call your insurance company.
In general, causes of damage to your sewer line that may be covered by homeowner’s insurance are:
- Lightning
- Fire
- Hail
- Windstorm
- Damage caused by aircraft (It must have happened!)
- Explosions
- Riots or civil disturbances (Again, apparently it has happened.)
- Damage caused by vehicles
- Vandalism
- Falling objects (….okay.)
- Volcanic eruption (In Reisterstown? Sure, why not?)
For instance, if there were an explosion in your yard and that causes the sewer line to sever, that damage would be covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy. The key defining factor here is that the source of the damage needs to come from something outside your control. The part of the pipe that is damaged will also have to be on your premises. If the pipe is damaged outside of your property line, it will be up to whatever entity that owns the damaged part to fix it, like the city or county.
There are a lot of older homes in Reisterstown and neighboring communities, many with aging sewer systems. When you combine that with old pipelines, tree root infiltrations as well as blocked municipal lines, that spells trouble – particularly since sometimes a sewer problem is not entirely under your control as a homeowner, like if the city punctures one while fixing the street outside your home. Be ready for any type of loss caused by a sewer line failure with insurance protection.
You May Need Additional Insurance Coverage for Some Natural Calamities
There are several calamities your insurer will not cover under a standard policy. Some examples include damage from earthquakes, floods, pests, and tree roots. Coverage for these will need require separate insurance policies.
For more details about what types of sewer line damage your homeowner’s insurance policy does and does not cover, as well as what additional types of insurance are available, consult your policy documents or call your insurance company.
Preventable Damage to Sewer Lines is Not Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance
Unfortunately, most of the time, sewer lines get damaged through preventable reasons, making them uninsurable.
All cases in which the physical damage to the pipe can be attributed to poor upkeep, faulty construction, or preventable error, your homeowners’ insurance company will not foot the bill for the repairs.
Your Community May Be Able to Provide Additional Coverage for Your Sewer Line
A lot of homeowners realize something far too late after a sewer back-up: just because your insurance policy protects your home for any damage caused by a sewer backup, the actual maintenance and repair of the sewer line is not covered. You are responsible for the pipeline that runs from your house to the main sewer line cleanout before the street, or if you are on septic, the full drain system.
Because of this, you should contact your borough or township’s Water and Sewer Authority to see if any additional insurance for this pipeline is available. And the best time to do that is before a repair is needed, particularly if the damage could have been prevented.
Your Best Defense Against Sewer Line Damage? You Know: “If it’s Water, It’s Ensor!”
Regular maintenance of your sewer line can prevent all kinds of trouble. All it takes diligence on your part, along with our expertise.
Most sewer line issues are a result of human error and poor maintenance. There are numerous habits you should adopt as a homeowner to ensure your sewer does not back up at some point in the future.
What YOU can do to protect your sewer line…
- No flushing of non-biodegradable objects, and oils
What ENSOR PLUMBING can do to keep your sewer line in good shape…
- Replace your home’s old metal pipes with plastic.
- Keep tree roots from intruding and clogging your system with regular cleanings.
- Inspect your plumbing.
So if you have problems with your sewer line, or if you want to prevent sewer line problems from happening in the first place, call Ensor Plumbing now!
Call now for help with your sewer line!
410-429-4959
Ensor Plumbing is a 3rd generation woman-owned and family operated business serving Reisterstown and area homes since 1961! Get to know us BEFORE you have a plumbing emergency. 410-429-4959. Or request service right here from our website.