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Sewer Backup Prevention

posted by TrueNorth Companies on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Some of the costliest homeowners insurance claims are from sewer and water backup mishaps. The most common cause of a backup in your sewer lateral (the pipe that runs from your city's sanitary sewer main to your home) is from items the line is not meant to handle. We've gathered some practical prevention tips to help you avoid sewer pitfalls.

Prevention tips: 

There are several simple things you can do to prevent backups in your lateral and main sewer line. 

• Paper products - Do not flush anything other than toilet paper down your drain. Disposable diapers, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, etc. are not designated to deteriorate quickly and can clog your sewer line. 
• Cooking grease - As grease goes down the drain and cools, it solidifies and gets trapped. Instead of rinsing grease down the drain, dispose of cooled grease in your garbage.  
• Shrub and tree roots - Seeking moisture, it's not uncommon for the roots of trees and shrubs to make their way into sewer line cracks. After time, roots can cause the sewer line to crack and allow debris to build up. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your sewer lateral, consider hiring a professional to trim tree roots or replace your sewer line with a pipe made of plastic. 
• Illegal plumbing connections - Connecting sump pumps, French drains and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer only spells trouble. Consult a plumber to correct any illegal connections. 

Often, most water entering the basement is not due to a sewer backup but rather from poor soil grading around your home's exterior. If you have a water problem and have ruled out sewer backup, making sure that water is draining away from your home's foundation properly can often fix the problem. 

Protection for your home and family.

You can count on us for all your home matters, including sewer backup coverage and flood insurance. Get your coverage through TrueNorth so you can rest assured that the things and people you love are protected and accounted for. Call us at 319-364-5193, and a personal insurance agent will gladly look over your plan.  Find out more about our personal solutions and obtain a quote for home and auto insurance at www.iTrueNorth.com.