Reader Question: Cost To Install A Mainline Check Valve To Prevent Sewer Backup
25 June 2015 karen holmes said:How much does it normally cost to put a check valve in..We had one backup of sewer and don’t want another
Reply:
Karen
The installed cost for a sewer line check valve is the sum of parts plus labor and ranges from $1000. to two or more times that depending on just what is required. For a ballpark estimate consider the following cost for an indoor basement floor check valve then read the added details we give just below:
Parts for the sewer line backwater valve and floor access box: $300.
Labor to install an in-floor backwater valve in a basement including concrete removal, excavation, sewer line cut, valve installation, installation of a floor access box, and concrete repair: $750.
Total installed cost for a sewer line check valve cost: $1050. USD.
Plumbing permits and inspections may be required in some jurisdictions as well.
The price of a backwater valve also referred to as a main sewer line check valve or “mainline check valve”ranges between about $150. and $300. USD depending on the backwater valve model and features. Add an additional $70. if an in-floor access box is required for your location.
The labor for installation of a backwater valve is likely to be significantly more than the cost of the valve itself and is typically billed in hours for plumbing service to which an added cost for backhoe and excavation or concrete removal is required in some situations.
The installation cost for a sewer line check valve varies depending on
Do I Need Backup Of Sewers & Drains Coverage
Backup of Sewer and Drain Coverage | Ohio Insurance
Picture this. You open the door to your basement and see your kids toys floating across the floor and everything else under six inches of water or sewage. There is never a good time for these instances to happen. Some of your first questions may be: How did it get in? How am I going to get it out? And, do I have coverage for this?
Backup of Sewer and Drain Coverage is coverage for back up through sewers or drains or overflow or discharge of a sump pump or related equipment, even if the equipment suffers a mechanical breakdown. This coverage is not automatically included on a homeowners policy, but can be endorsed for a small premium. The premium for this varies on how much coverage you want. Coverage generally runs in increments of $5,000 and can range from $5,000 to $50,000, or more, depending on the company. Backed up sewers and drains can do major damage to your home, causing thousands of dollars to your floors, walls, furniture, etc If your basement is finished or you store items in your basement you may want to consider this coverage.
A few tips for protecting you and your belongings are:
- Store valuables in waterproof bins.
- Make sure your sump pump is reliable and in good working order.
- Raise appliances up off the floor.
- Invest in a generator to keep your sump pump operating through power outages.
If you want a quote or have any other additional questions on this coverage let us know. We are always here to help.
Keep Your Drains From Clogging & Unblock Slow Or Clogged Drains
A clogged building drain can also lead to a sewage backup or toilet overflow even if the main drain is properly protected from sewer line backups. Flushing needles, diapers, paper products, sanitary products, and grease into drains is always a bad idea.
We discuss some of these items for homes served by private septic systems
at NEVER FLUSH INTO SEPTICS. It’s a good idea to keep those same items out of drains connected to a municipal sewer as well.
See CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR for details about slow or clogged plumbing drain diagnosis, prevention, and repair.
Don’t Miss: Why Do My Drains Gurgle
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover French Drain
Exterior, or interior French, drains go by many other trade names. Its a gravel-filled trench that holds a perforated pipe. French drains direct surface water away from your home. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies do not cover French drains unless you have a specific rider that lists this feature in your coverage.
Having a proper drainage system can prevent water incursion through your basement floors.
How Much Does Sewer Backup Coverage Cover
First, its important to consider how much coverage youll need. So, it can be helpful to think of sewer damage backup coverage as a specific type of property insurance. You want to make sure that the plan you get doesnt only cover the cost of the sewer system, but also anything that was destroyed by the sewage.
How much your sewer backup insurance will actually cover depends on your home insurance policy as a whole and what state you live in, since policy limits can vary by state. These limits can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 worth of coverage. Some states can also offer coverage for the same amount that youve insured your house for.
Either way, make sure that your home even qualifies for sewer backup coverage. If you live in a flood-prone area or somewhere where its very likely for underground systems to be damaged, a carrier may not offer you sewer backup coverage at all.
You May Like: How To Get Your Sinuses To Drain
What Is Sewer Backup Coverage
Usually, your homes septic tank is built to remain at a safe level and dissolve waste from your bathrooms. However, if something goes wrong, sewer backup coverage is available as an endorsement to your home insurance policy. This type of coverage can help you with the costs of cleaning up the gross backup sewage that has seeped into your yard, as well as repairing your septic tank. Sewer backup coverage can also help you recover some of the property lost due to sump pump damage.
Install A Main Sewer Line Check Valve Or Sewer Cutoff Valve Or Make Sure Installed Valves Are Working
First you may want to have your main waste line backup check valve inspected – if the sewer line is backing up from the street into your home, your main sewer sewer backup valve or a flood guard valve is not working properly it won’t protect from flooding from storm drainage or sewage backups.
Here is
a CHECK VALVE MAINTENANCE GUIDE from the City of Ann Arbor, MI.
Mainline Backflow Products, a producer of sewer line check valves and related products, informs us that:
Many municipal Building Codes require you to have a backwater valve if your plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first upstream manhole on your street. A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to only go in one direction , preventing wastewater from entering your building during regular sewer system maintenance or accidental sewer system backups.
To find out if you have or need a backwater valve, check your plumbing plans or consult with your builder or a professional plumber.
Remember, if sewage backs up into your home, the cost to repair damages and clean up the mess will be well high than the cost to install a valve.
Laws allow that towns and municipalities cannot be held liable for damages when a backwater valve has not been installed by a property owner.
The City of Chicago and folks writing about Chicago sewer backups offer advice about avoiding sewer backups including the use of basement floor drain standpipes:
Recommended Reading: 4 Drain Pipe Home Depot
Water Backup Coverage Is Important Add
If water or sewage backs up into your home, it can quickly become a messy situation. A standard homeowners insurance policy typically does not cover the extensive damage this type of backup often causes to your home and belongings. Instead, you would have to take care of the cost of clean-up, repairs, and replacing ruined items. Below, the Fred C. Church team shares information about one of the most useful home insurance endorsements, called Water Backup Coverage, which may help you pay for expenses related to this type of loss.
Coverage Highlights
What does a Water Backup endorsement cover?
These unpleasant backups can occur for many common reasons, including a heavy rainfall that overwhelms a drainage or sewage system, unruly tree roots that get tangled in a sewer line, debris or other items that clog up a drainage pipe, or a mechanical breakdown of your sump pump. Regardless of the cause, when a backup drives water and sewage into your home, it can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in damages to floors, walls, furniture, electrical systems, and more.
Water Backup Coverage provides homeowners with protection against water damage to their home and personal property if the water or sewage backed up, discharged, or overflowed from:
- A sewer or drain
- A sump, sump pump, or related equipment
- Any system designed to remove subsurface water from the homes foundation area
Coverage Exclusions
What situations are not covered by a Water Backup endorsement?
Affordable Protection
Water Sewer Backup Coverage Protection
Sewer backup coverage is additional coverage for your property that protects you from the risks of having to repair the damage done from water backup flood damage. Since the average cost to repair flooded basements and other types of property damage done by floods or water sewer backup is close to $50,000, it makes sense to know what type of coverage your current policy has for these specific risks and to possibly ensure coverage for it. Many standard home insurance policies do not have water sewer backup coverage unless specifically requested, so check your coverage!
Read Also: Tool To Get Hair Out Of Drain
What Protection Does Water/sewer Backup Provide
The backup of water or waterborne materials through a sewer or through a drainWater or waterborne material that overflows from a sump, even if the backup of water is due to the mechanical breakdown of the sump pump. Coverage includes damage to covered property but excludes the sump pump and any related equipment that has broken down
What Type Of Water Damage Is Covered By Homeowners Insurance
Water damage is tricky when it comes to what is covered by homeowners insurance. A basic policy typically covers damage caused by burst pipes or leaking water heaters, provided that the leak is both sudden and accidental. If youâve noticed a slow leak in a pipe for a while and it suddenly bursts, your insurance may deny your claim.
But regular homeowners insurance doesnât cover water backup from sump pumps, drains, or sewers. If you want to cover these incidents, youâll need to take out water backup coverage in addition to your basic homeowners insurance.
A basic policy also does not cover flooding due to weather. If you live in an area prone to flooding, itâs a good idea to take out flood insurance as well. People who live close to large bodies of water, such as the ocean, a lake, or a river, are recommended to take out a flood insurance policy. Thatâs also true for low-lying areas or areas prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop Hair From Clogging Shower Drain
Causes Of Water Sewer Backup
Water sewer backup is often caused by harsh climate, but ageing, damaged, or blocked drains can also be the main causes. Old sewer lines can break and collapse, be crushed, clogged or even penetrated by tree roots. Drains may also get clogged over time from grease, food particles, coffee grounds, hair/fur, and other items that should not really be put down the drains or sewer systems. All of this can contribute to the water-sewer backing up.
Recovering From Water Damage
Once water damage occurs in your home, there are some important steps you need to take immediately to make sure the issue is resolved quickly. First, youll need to take pictures of the damage and its cause. If necessary, you can ask your insurance agent or an inspector to take a look to determine the official cause. All this information will be helpful when you submit your claim for insurance coverage.
While the claim is taking place, its important to focus on mitigating any further damage. Remove standing water and molded surfaces immediately, so that your home can begin to dry out. Installing dehumidifiers, opening windows and cleaning regularly are also good ideas to help prevent further damage or mold.
Water backups, and the accompanying damage they bring, can wreak havoc on your homes structure and your personal belongings. And unfortunately, its not always covered by your standard homeowners insurance policy. But with some routine maintenance and a water backup endorsement, you can set this worry aside and focus on turning your house into the home of your dreams.
Save up to 25%*
You May Like: Commercial Kitchen Floor Drain Requirements
How To Prevent Backups In Your Sewer Line And In The City Main
- Properly dispose of grease. Cooking oil should be poured into a heat-resistant container and disposed of properly after it cools off, not in the drain. Washing grease down the drain with hot water is unsatisfactory. As the grease cools off, it will solidify either in the drain, the property owners line, or in the main sewer causing the line to constrict and eventually clog.
- Properly dispose of paper products. Paper towels, disposable diapers, hygienic wipes and feminine products do not deteriorate quickly and can cause a great deal of trouble in the property owners lateral as well as in the city main.
- Periodically cut tree roots. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your lateral, you may have to regularly have the roots cut by a professional.
- Replace your line with new plastic pipe. Plastic pipe will prevent tree roots from entering your line is to replace your line and tap with new plastic pipe.
- Correct illegal plumbing connections. Do not connect French drains, sump pumps and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer. It is illegal to do so, and debris and silt will clog your line. Consult a plumber to correct any pre-existing illegal connections.
- Install a backwater prevention valve, which is a fixture installed into a sewer line in the basement of your home or business to prevent sewer backflows. A properly installed and maintained backwater valve allows sewage to go out, but not to come back in. Be sure to use a qualified plumber.
Sewer Backup Or Overflow: Which Is It
Posted byBrian Kiley on Sep 11, 2015 2:02:16 PM
Whats the difference between a sewer backup and a plumbing system overflow?
A great deal of rain can overtax the sewer systems. This can cause water to flow backward through a property owners lateral pipes, through the drain, and into the basement. When water outside the insureds plumbing system flows backward through the plumbing into the property, this is a backup claim.
A backup is different from an overflow. An overflow occurs when theres a blockage in the plumbing system. When the toilet is flushed, theres nowhere for the water to go due to the blockage, so the toilet bowl overflows. The water thats causing damage never enters the sewer system. An overflow can also occur when theres blockage within the lateral pipe. The water from the property flows down the lateral and because of the blockage, the water has nowhere to go so it overflows the floor drain or a lower-level bathroom causing damage.
So how are these two claims covered? It depends on the policy because theres a difference between personal lines and commercial lines.
Lets start with the homeowners policy. The homeowners policy affords coverage for an overflow of the plumbing system up to the policy limit however, damage from water that backs up through sewers or drains, or overflows or discharges from a sump, sump pump, or related equipment is specifically excluded.
This blog post was written by Theresa Bednar, Claims Quality Analyst for West Bend.
You May Like: Drain Snake Stuck In Pipe
Water Backup Of Sewers Or Drain Coverage
What if there was a back up of your drain system would your insurance cover the damage?
Spring and fall tend to be the wettest seasons, making homes more susceptible to the backup of drain lines. And if there is a backup the damage caused can be substantial. However, did you know a standard homeowners insurance policy excludes coverage for damage of drain back ups or if a sump pump fails? If you have a finished basement, your basement is used for storage, or if your mechanical systems are located in the basement, you should strongly consider this additional layer of protection.
Be sure to ask us about this protection it can often be purchased as an endorsement to your exiting coverage or on its own.
How Does Water Backup Coverage Work
Water backup coverage, also called sewer or sump pump backup coverage, is one of the more popular and useful homeowners insurance endorsements that you can add to your policy. Since water backups are such a common and pesky problem, just about every company offers this coverage enhancement, and its a fairly high-value add-on, costing as little as $30 a year on top of your standard coverage.
Coverage amounts and availability of this endorsement vary from company to company and state to state, but companies generally offer anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 in water backup protection. When deciding on coverage amounts, factor in what itd cost to replace everything thats at risk of being destroyed in a worst-case drain backup or sump pump overflow scenario. Add up the cost of replacing your flooring, the value of your furniture or personal belongings, and anything else thatd be at risk of damage in the event of a sewer or drain backup.
Water backup coverage costs anywhere from $30-70 annually for $5,000 of coverage, and $25-35 for each additional $5,000 in coverage that you add to your policy, according to Fabio Faschi, property and casualty team lead at Policygenius. You generally have to pay a deductible in order to receive a claim payout for a sewer backup claim. Depending on your insurer, sewer backup deductibles may be equal to your standard deductible amount or they may offer a special water backup deductible as low as $250.
You May Like: How To Bury Gutter Drains