Sewer Backup

Is a Sewer Backflow a Threat to Your Home?

The most common type of backup in Paducah and McCracken County is caused during heavy rainfall or flooding. Older sewer mains are often susceptible to leaking during rain events, or have been constructed to actually carry rainwater in addition to sanitary flow. Heavy rain events can cause too much flow for a particular sewer main to handle, causing the flow to seek alternate exit points, including inside a house or basement. In addition, blockages can occur in sewer mains due to naturally occurring items, such as roots or foreign objects that sewer mains are not designed to handle. Most backflows only occur in houses that have basements or that are constructed in low areas or below manholes in the area. There are steps a homeowner can take to proactively reduce this possibility for their home.

One way to prevent or reduce the threat of backflow is to hire a qualified plumber to install a device called a backflow prevention valve or a backflow preventer. When properly installed and maintained, this valve creates a one-way system in the sewer line in your yard or in a drain line in your basement. This allows sewage to leave your home and prevents contaminated water from re-entering your home. Costs for installing these are dependent upon the type of plumbing your home has and the difficulty of the installation. Always consult a licensed professional before installing any type of backflow preventer.

In certain instances, for example, when a house sewer also accepts rain water flow from the roof or area drains, a backflow preventer cannot typically be installed. It is also important to note that the valves are not 100% effective and require regular inspection and maintenance.

Does Insurance Cover Sewer and Water Damage?

While the purpose of homeowners’ insurance is to protect your property, most policies do not include damage related to sewage backups and water damage. In most cases, the homeowner will need to purchase a special rider that provides coverage in the event that either of these events occurs. It is especially important to make certain that areas of your home that lie below ground are adequately insured.

If you are not sure what damage your policy includes, then contact your home insurer and find out what sewage backup insurance is available through your current policy or what additional insurance can be purchased to address these issues.

As with other municipalities, the JSA does not assume financial responsibility for damages that result from sewer backups related to conditions that are beyond our control.