Drainage System Endorsement

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You may not think about this until it happens to you. You’re leaning over your sink, and a foul odor creeps up your nose coming from your sink and notice the water is draining slowly. These two signs might indicate a sewage back up. You may be wondering if your insurance will cover any damages that is cause by the backup.  

Does Insurance Cover Water Backups?
Typically, your homeowners coverage does not cover damage caused by a sewer or a drain back-up. At Shelter we have additional coverage options that can be added to your existing homeowners coverage. This endorsement covers a drainage system failure on the residence premises. However, if something happens further down the pipeline off of your property, then it would have to be covered by the city or whoever is responsible for the damage. Adding drainage system coverage can protect your home from water damage caused by water backups. This additional coverage may help cover any furniture, floors, walls, and other personal property that is damaged by a backup.

If you live in an area that gets a lot of heavy rain, then adding this additional protection could save you money in the long run.

Signs of Water Backups
There are multiple signs to watch for if you think your sewer is backed up. Slow drains are one of the most common signs of a backed-up sewer along with a rotten egg like smell coming from your sinks, bathtubs, and showers. If your toilet has water spilling out of it, that could be a sign there is a blockage somewhere in your sewer. Mold and mildew growing in the area where your pipes are located can be a signal that there is a lot of moisture from a backed-up sewer. Excess water can cause the foundation in your walls to crack and cause the wood to crack.

What Causes a Water Backup?
The most common type of back up is due to clogged pipes. Every time we use our appliances that have a pipe connected to them, things can get trapped in there causing blockage. Heavy rainfall is another culprit of water back ups because too much rain may cause overloading in public sewer systems resulting in sewage being backed up into your home. Damaged sewer pipes are also a common cause of backups. When there is movement of the earth such as an earthquake, it might cause your sewer line to break. The roots of nearby trees can also cause damage to any nearby pipes if they end up growing into them.

How Can I Prevent Water Backups?
Have your sewer line inspected regularly, especially if you think there might be an issue. Do your drains a favor and avoid pouring oil and greasy substances down the drain. Oily substances can cause build up in your pipes leading to improper drainage and in the long run will cause serious backup issues. If you’re looking to plant trees in your back yard, it is best to plant them away from your sewage line, so you don’t risk their roots compromising your pipeline.

Taking the proper precautions in your everyday routine can help prevent water backups in your home. Adding the additional drainage system coverage to your homeowners policy can also help you in case anything unexpected happens to your things due to a water backup on your property.

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