What is sewer back up coverage?

Sewer back up coverage protects Texas homeowners (and homeowners around the nation) against damages and losses resulting from a sewer backing up. In addition to sewers backing up, some homeowners have problems with downspouts and septic tanks too. Sewer back-up coverage is typically an optional part of the homeowners insurance policy, which is added as an endorsement to the policy.

When sewers back up, they can seep through the drains in the home, causing flooding and extensive damage inside the house. Sewer back-up coverage covers property damage as well as the cleanup (floors, ductwork, flushing piping fixtures, disinfecting, spillage removal, etc.)

Causes of sewer back up are many. Roots from shrubs and trees can make their way into cracks in sewer lines, causing blockages. Aging sewer systems are increasingly becoming a problem as the nation’s sewer systems continue to age. Frequent water basement flooding can be an indication of a problem. Another area of concern is when systems are designed to combine both storm water drainage and raw sewage drainage within the same pipeline. Even a blockage in the sanitary main can cause water to seep through the drains if not caught early enough.

But typically, regardless of the cause, sewer back-up coverage added to a Texas homeowners insurance policy will keep you protected from property damage and water damage due to a backed-up sewer.