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What To Do When You Have A Sewer Backup
Little known fact about sewer backup insurance coverage
Sewer backups not only cause harm that’s difficult and expensive to repair, but additionally create many health hazards if not treated properly.
Most homeowner and business insurance programs in Los Angeles, and USA in general, do not cover sewer backup unless certain sewer backup riders are added to the policy.
Obtaining an insurance rider on a home owners or business policy would cover such harm if it occurs. Sewage backup coverage can be found from most insurance companies for a nominal cost, typically $40-$50 annually.
Most house and business owners may not know that they’re accountable for the repair and upkeep of the “sewer lateral,” an underground pipeline between your city’s sanitary sewer main, and the building.
The sewer lateral is owned (and should be maintained) by the property owner, including any area which may extend to public road ways.
A broken or slowed lateral—or a single filled with tree roots—may enable groundwater to seep into the system, leading to potential sewer backup issues.
Common reasons for sewer backups
Tree Roots — Shrubs and trees looking for humidity can make their way through sewer line cracks causing extensive damage. They often begin small, a little crack in the tube, but since the tree or shrub carries on to grow, so does the crack.
Soon, tree roots may enter the service pipe and cause blockages. They can also travel a considerable way, and roots from various kinds of trees act differently.
Sometimes a congestion is the effect of a combination of private and city trees. Typically, this happens slowly, giving the owner time to call a licensed plumber to evaluate the damage.
This is especially true in older buildings, where cracks can have developed in the foundation or floor slab that allows water to enter the basement. The cement floor and cellar walls of those structures can have deteriorated to the point that they’re no longer waterproof.
Therefore, in states as California and cities as Los Angeles, water can show up in a building that has never had water damage problems due to infrequent rain.
This often occurs when the ground is saturated after repeated or sudden heavy rain storms. Drainage can be improved by making certain that all water drains away from the building.
Homeowners may also prevent flooding by water-sealing the basement. And by the way, homeowners and business insurance don’t cover flood harm!
Only flood insurance may cover your losses in the case of a flood. Federal flood insurance plans can be purchased straight from an insurance policy agent or a company representative, and are available to communities that take part in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Almost 100 insurance agencies write and service NFIP policies. Your insurance policy agent or broker can handle the claim for you. If not, we’d be happy to, while restoring your home after flood damage.
