When spring rolls around, you’ll probably be glad to see that the snow has melted. However, you probably know the expression, “April showers bring May flowers.” Unfortunately, this is all too true, which is why 50 per cent of home insurance claims across Canada are due to water damage. However, the type of water that ends up in your basement can sometimes smell. Like what? Sewage!
Sewage backup is a common issuebubble in the spring. The amount of rain can sometimes be too much for septic systems to handle, and the water has to go somewhere. Sadly, this can mean sewage backup making its way into your basement. How do you prevent it? Let’s find out how to keep your basement clean and dry this season.
Explaining sewer backup
Sewer backup happens when large amounts of water overfill a property drainage system. If you live in a condo or detached home and you have basement drains. When the water rises above your basement drains, a backflow of wastewater can enter your home. This is often difficult to clean up and can introduce sewage waste into your home. Not cleaning it up right away can create a breeding ground for black mould and harmful bacteria.
Aging sewage systems are prone to sewer line cracks, which increase the risk of sewer water excreting from your floor drain and flooding your basement. This is definitely something to worry about, but there are ways to prevent it. Knowing these things can prevent you from having to make a personal insurance claim. Next, we will explore sewage backup detection devices that you can use to protect your home from the inside out.
Devices that prevent sewer backups from taking a toll on your home
There’s more than one way to prevent sewage backup from making its way into your home. There are three flood prevention devices that can stop water from making its way into your home from a sewer pipe. This is true even if you are insured with a policy like mobile home insurance. We recommend finding a licensed plumber to install these devices to stop sewage from making its way into your home. Below, we will explore devices that help prevent sewer backups and offer better protection for your home:
Backwater valve
Backwater valves are great devices for preventing sewage backup and wastewater from getting into your basement. Water is supposed to drain out of your home through your pipes, but when the municipal sewage or stormwater system close to your home gets overloaded, water can come back up through your basement drain line. A backwater valve forces the drain closed during a flow reversal. Having a backwater valve is ideal if your home has fixtures or drain openings in areas below grade, like a basement.
Sump pump
A sump pump will remove built-up water in your basement by pushing it away from the house to a storm drain or dry well. Sump pumps operate using your home’s electrical system or are powered by a battery. Some will also remove the water automatically, allowing you to set it and forget it. Choosing a model with a battery backup is wise because if a storm causes your home to lose power, water and sewage can end up on your basement floor. Many models also have a built-in alarm to let you know if the pump ever fails or loses power.
Water sensor
Water sensors can help detect water levels in various areas of your home. In turn, these will notify you if the water rises above a normal level. Installing water sensors in your home where leaks are common is relatively inexpensive. Consider adding water sensors in your basement, utility and laundry room. There are multiple types of water sensors available, including:
Ultrasonic water sensors
The sensor transmits sound waves that reflect off the liquid surface.
Float water sensors
Detect any changes in the resistance of an internal potentiometer based on water levels.
Bubble water sensors
Measure water levels by assessing the air pressure of various air-filled tubes. Higher pressure in the tubes indicates higher water levels as more air pressure is required to fill the tube. Do your research and get a professional opinion from a licensed plumber. Backwater valves, sump pumps and water sensors are all useful tools to prevent sewer backups and wastewater from making their way out of your floor drain.
However, the one or the combination you use comes down to your plumbing fixtures and sewer line. Review your home insurance policy to see if these installations are covered. In the next section, we will provide some tips to prevent sewer backup in your basement.
Tips to prevent sewer backup
A sewer backup can cause devastating damage to your basement. While you can’t control what happens within your main sewer line, you can make sure when wastewater from the sewer drains, it doesn’t end up on your basement floor—having high-value home insurance is essential if you have many fixtures and a finished basement. With that said, here are some ways to prevent sewer backup from coming out of your floor drain:
Be careful what you pour down your drain
You should never pour grease down your drains, especially when it’s hot. Instead, pour it into a heat-resistant container and dispose of it elsewhere when it cools down. Pouring grease into the sink is one of the leading causes of clogged drains. That’s because it turns into a solid after cooling down, resulting in clogged drains.
Get rid of paper products properly
Paper towels, disposable (and cloth) diapers, hygienic wipes, and feminine products should not be flushed down the toilet. They do not dissolve right away, even once they end up in the city’s main sewer line or your own septic. They can cause clogged drains and sewer lines to send wastewater back into your basement.
Cut tree roots
Tree roots can invade your pipes. This is especially common in older homes. That’s why you should get tree roots professionally cut out of your house if you notice low water pressure or experience frequent clogs. They are a common culprit behind sewer backups because they can easily stop waste from flowing away from your home.
Upgrade your pipes
Clay pipes are fairly common in older homes. These pipes are not as solid as modern plastic ones, and you should upgrade your pipes to create better flow. Older pipes cannot handle intense water flow that may happen during storm events. Because of their limited capacity, sewage backs up and ends up in your home instead of the storm drain system. Once you complete this, advise your insurance company to see if you qualify for a discount.
Eliminate illegal plumbing connections
French drains, sump pumps and other flood control systems should not be connected to your sewer system. In fact, this is illegal. Having these connections can result in debris and silt clogging your line. In turn, raw sewage can get into your basement, making for a smelly mess. Homeowners should call a plumber to correct these issues before they cause further harm.
Basement flooding is bad enough, but when debris from the sewer makes its way into your home, your basement can start smelling like garbage or, worse, sewage. That’s why you need to take preventative measures to stop sewage from coming out of your floor drain and contaminating your home.
By following these tips, you can avoid having to make frequent home insurance claims. If you’re unsure about what to do, contact a licensed plumber and your insurance company shortly after. Certain events will be covered by your home insurance policy.
Contact BrokerLink today!
Sewer backups are devastating because they can make your basement completely unusable. Flooding is common, but when wastewater from your sewer system gets in, it’s a different story. After you call a plumber to fix the issue, you might wonder what the next steps are. Obviously, you will have to pay for repairs and cleanup, but depending on the extent of the damage, this can be expensive.
That’s why you need an insurance broker and sewer backup insurance. Speaking with an insurance broker from BrokerLink can help you move forward if sewer backups are causing problems. We can provide sound home insurance advice to allow you to fix your basement without paying for everything out of pocket. Contact us today for a free quote.
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