Plumbing problems are a common occurrence in home ownership. In fact, water damage claims are the second most frequent claim according to the Insurance Information Institutes. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance
One type of water damage is the back-up of water and sump pump overflow. This type of damage can occur in several ways.
Water Back-Up Causes
- Sump Pump Failure: A power failure or mechanical breakdown of your sump pump will allow water to flow freely into your basement.
- Clogs: Blockage can occur in your homes drain system or at the main sewer line. The clog will prevent the line from clearing and will force water and sewage back into your home.
- Tree Roots: Even if your yard is free of trees and shrubs roots can be sent from neighboring yards. Roots can create holes and blockage in pipes.
- Damaged Sewer Lines: Underground lines can become broken, cracked or collapse.
- Heavy Rainfall: When there is more water trying to enter the sewers than they can handle you have a capacity issue. If the sewers cannot keep up the water will back-up into your home.
Some water back-ups can be prevented. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Preventing a Water Back-Up
- Sump Pump Maintenance: Have a professional, typically a plumber, inspect your sump pump annually. You can also install a battery back-up to prevent a power failure.
- Paper Products: Do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the drain.
- Cooking Grease: Do not pour cooking oil or grease down the drain.
- Shrub and Tree Roots: If tree roots have damaged a section of your underground pipe they will need to be repaired or replaced. Plastic pipes are a good option over clay or iron.
Water back-ups can happen to anyone. Whether you live on the top of a hill or your home does not have a basement. You can still experience this type of a loss.
Most homeowner’s policies do not include coverage for water back-up. Coverage can be added with an optional endorsement. This additional endorsement will provide coverage for damage to your home and/or personal property due to a water back-up. The coverage is subject to a deductible and policy limit.
The average cost of water back-up coverage may range from $50 to $250 annually; depending on the limits of coverage.
Contact us today to find the level of coverage that is right for you.
