As a homeowner you will want to protect your property as much as possible. Unfortunately, one of the most common damages to homes is water damage. An estimated 14,000 people deal with water damage at work or at home every day. Additionally, 98% of basements will encounter some sort of water damage in their life. When you encounter water damage it is best to take care of it as soon as possible or it could become even more hazardous and expensive if it is ignored.
It is important to have a review with your insurance agent about your specific coverage on your policy every few years to make sure you have the right kind of coverage that fits your situation. In this blog post we’ll discuss the many kinds of water damage, tips to try and prevent it, and some other important information if you ever encounter any water damage.
Sewer Backup/ Sump Pump Failure
A common cause of water damage can be backup or blockage of sewer lines or the failure of a sump pump. Some potential causes of a backed-up sewer line could be an older sewer system. Sometimes older sewer systems could form cracks in the pipers which can lead to tree roots or other debris to get inside the pipers and cause blockages.
Homeowners are responsible for all the sew pipes attached to the home and any pipes attached to the city’s sewer main. Unfortunately, most homeowner policies do not cover the backup of water into the home caused by sump pump failure and other instances. Typically, you can get a specific endorsement onto the policy that will cover these scenarios. Give us a call if you have any questions about your policy!
Tips to Prevent Sewer Backup
To try and prevent backup of the sewer, make sure your pipes are regularly checked on and replaced if needed. It is also important to properly dispose of garbage, cooking grease, paper products, cleaning wipes, and more. None of the items listed should ever be flushed or go down the drain. These products can lead to sewer blockage and have the potential to lead to water damage. In some cases, a sewer check valve can be installed to help reduce the risk of backwater getting back into the house sewer.
Tips to Prevent Sump Pump Overflow
In some storms or even spring thaws, sump pump systems can sometimes be overwhelmed by excessive water. This can lead to the breakdown of the sump pump. To make sure that the sump pump is working properly try to examine the discharge pipe connections and also address drainage issues as they arise outside the home. You could also try installing a backup battery in case the power goes out during a storm. This will ensure that the pump continues to work even when the rest of the power is out during a storm.
Water Overflow
Water overflow is when water overflows out of an appliance or sink such as a dishwasher, washing machine, sink, or bathtub. Sometimes if pipes in the home burst it can also cause water overflow. These types are typically covered under a normal homeowner’s policy, but it can depend on the specific incident or if the home was lacking proper maintenance.
Tips to Prevent Water Overflow from Pipes
Some things to help prevent burst pipes in your home include setting the right temperature. Try to keep your home temperature at least 55 degrees when it is at freezing temperatures outside. Don’t forget to keep the heat on even if you leave for a few weeks on vacation! You don’t want to come home to burst pipes and water damage everywhere. The next helpful tip is checking your water pressure. Check the pressure gauge to make sure it’s not too high. The average water pressure is 40-50 psi. Another tip is making sure your pipes are still working and not too corroded. Water pipes are intended to last a long time, but hard water and an imbalance of PH levels can lead to a corrosion build up. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, you may still encounter some sort of water overflow in your home, and it is important to know where your water shut off is in your home. If an appliance is overflowing, or if you have a burst pipe the very first thing you should do is completely shut off your water. Make sure all members of the household know where the main water shuts off is, you never know when you may need it!
*coverage is determined by the specific policy and company
