SGI CANADA Asking Homeowners to Protect Against Sewer Backups

Extreme weather events has made sewer back up and basement flooding a more common occurrence than in years past, but there are ways to protect yourself from the damage.

The first line of defense is to have a mainline backflow valve, but Kurtis Reeder, Segment Manager for Personal Lines with SGI CANADA, says there are additional things you can do to ensure full protection.

"One thing is to make sure your down spouts are connected and extended about two metres away from the foundation of your home. Make sure that any snow that we may get over the spring time period is moved away from the foundation of your home as well, and if there is any leftover spill from winter, move that away too. Install a sump pump if you don't already have one installed, and make sure that discharges outside of the home and away from the home," he explained. "The primary preventer for sewer back up is the mainline backflow valve, and this is the valve that is installed on the sewer line that is extended to the municipality sewer system. These devices need to be professionally installed, and so by contacting a plumber the plumber will be able to complete the installation of the device."

Reeder says in 2014, there were 2300 claims made to SGI CANADA from victims of sewer back up, adding that the company does not cover seepage.

"It's called Sewer Back Up coverage, and it will protect you against sewer back up which is inundation from water coming in from one of the drains within your home. It doesn't cover seepage from water coming through window wells or cracks in the basement walls or floor," he explained. "We still cover if they don't have backwater valve installed if the customer hasn't had a sewer back up claim in the past, but after they have had a sewer back up, we reccomend that they have one of these mainline valves installed. If they don't install one then coverage would be restricted on their next policy renewal."

Reeder adds automatic sewer backwater valves do require occasional maintenance, so you should consult a plumber to receive advice on when it is needed.