What is Sewer Back-Up Insurance?Across the country, communities are experiencing more severe weather, especially intense rainfalls. Sudden downpours overburden sewers and stormwater infrastructure and lead to sewage backing up into homes. FAQHow can water enter my home?There are 3 types of water that can enter your home: clean, grey, and black.Clean water poses no health risks. It can come from a broken water line, broken appliance, toilet holding tank, snowmelt, or rain. Grey water could have some health risks if you delay in cleaning it up. This water can be discharged from a washing machine, dishwasher, sink, shower, aquarium, waterbed, etc. Black water has multiple health and safety risks. This is made up of flood water contaminated with soil and/or sewage. This happens in a sewer back-up situation. What is sewer back-up?Sewer back-up can happen after heavy rains or as the snow melts. When the sewer is overwhelmed with water and can't hold it all, it can overflow back into your house. This coverage can cover the cleaning and restoration process after the back-up. It's very important to do this quickly and properly as the bacteria and contaminants in sewage can cause serious health issues.Why would I want this coverage?Cleaning up sewage damage costs an average of $7 per square foot. This average considers stopping and removing mold growth, removing the sewage, and drying out the basement. If you have a 1,000 square foot basement, your costs could be $7,000. This amount doesn't cover reconstruction of walls or flooring, electrical expenses, property that was destroyed or unusable, or expenses incurred if you can't live in the house during the repairs. It's easy to see how costs can skyrocket.What can I do to prevent sewer back-up?When purchasing your home or deciding where to build, consider choosing a home or property that is on high ground or in an area that is at a low-risk for flooding.If you already own your home, take care to maintain your drains properly. Avoid pouring grease down the drain. Clean your eaves trough and make sure that they drain away from your home. If you have any plumbing issues, deal with them right away. The longer you wait to fix them, the more difficult and expensive they are to fix. What is a sump pump?A sump pump sits in or underneath your basement. Its job is to stop water from coming into your basement by pumping it out and away from your home. They're common to have if you live in a low area that is prone to flooded basements.What is a backwater valve?A backwater valve is installed on your existing plumbing. If the sewer backs-up, the backwater valve will shut and block the sewage from continuing into your home. Having a backwater valve could qualify you for a discount on your home insurance. |
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The Guy R Day DifferenceYou may think you want the cheapest insurance you can find, but realize you may not be getting everything you bargained for... Most insurance products are similar in price and function, insurance providers are very different when it comes to creating a policy that actually covers you.
Contact us to learn more about the right sewer back-up coverage for you. |