Sewage Backups Lead To A Big Stinkin’ Mess
By Tim Horan, The Salina Journal, Kan. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
As she opened the door to her
"I came home from church to this horrible stench in my house," she said.
She found the basement bathroom was covered with about a quarter of an inch of sewage.
"It was disgusting. It had seeped into both bedrooms and some of my great room," she said. "I had tile in the bedroom that had just been redone. I was ready to move furniture into it. That isn't going to happen for a while. I am waiting for it to be repaired."
A familiar scene
It's a scene employees of Lamunyon Cleaning and Restoration encounter five to 10 times a month, according to
Since she discovered the mess on a Sunday, Sackrider had to wend her way through the
"They said they would send someone out. It seemed like forever, but it probably wasn't more than 30 minutes," she said.
She said one man showed up with a truck, and he had to call for help to clean out a clog in the drain pipe.
Just the beginning
That was just the beginning of Sackrider's sewer woes. Even though the sewer line from her home to the city pipes wasn't blocked, Sackrider's claim for the city's insurance company to pay the
The letter that Sackrider received from
Salinan Karen Ryan wrote in a recent letter to the Journal that her claim was denied because "city workers had no prior knowledge that there were roots in that particular line."
Fortunately, Sackrider had an insurance rider to cover
Be aware beforehand
According to information published by Kansas Insurance Commissioner
According to a news release issued in March by the insurance commissioner, "Not all policies cover the following: Water damage, including flood and surface damage, whether driven by wind or not; backup of sewer or drains; and sump pump failure. These are the most common exclusions. Riders for these situations may be available to add to your existing policy."
'There is nothing worse'
"There is nothing worse than to have to talk to a citizen who has had this happen to them," said
Tasker said each case is turned over to the insurance company. She said her office provides information and photos to the insurance company but has no control over the findings of the company.
"What they look for is what has happened in that line in the last five years," she said. "If we had a problem year after year after year and I did nothing about it, I would probably be in the wrong."
Tasker said data is recorded each year on the city's 230 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 4,785 manholes and 60 wastewater pump stations.
In 2013, the city received 171 complaints. That was down from 2012, when there were 208 complaints. Last year, there were 17 actual stoppages in public lines, up from 14 in 2012.
Backwater valves required
Tasker said that a city ordinance dating back to 1970 requires that backwater valves, or backflow prevention valves, be installed in
"All houses should have a backwater valve installed in their basement to protect all plumbing in the basement," Smith said. "The estimate to install one can range from
Sackrider's home has the old manual valve, but she plans to install the newer backwater valve.
Grease, fabric can block lines
Tasker said a number of things can cause a blockage. While most people associate a blockage with roots in the line, anything from grease to fabric wipes can cause clogs.
"A little bit of grease and some sand and grit, that grease gets solid," she said. "That can create a problem for us. If your kid can flush it down the toilet, it can end up in the sewer and get caught on these other materials. Most homeowners think, 'Oh, if I flush it with hot water or if I put soap with it...' It's probably going to get out of your sewer because you flushed it with hot water, but when it gets to my sewer it is going to do the same thing as if you poured it into a can -- get hard and plug up."
Handi Wipes hazardous
The newest hazard, Tasker said, are Handi Wipes.
"In fact, there is a push throughout the nation to try to get rid of those things, from the sewer folks, because they just keep plugging the heck out of everything we've got," she said.
Signs of blockage
Tasker said homeowners can look for signs of a potential blockage issue.
"If I saw the water running kind of slow, you hear a little gurgle and things don't seem to drain quite as well, it's time to ask a question or two," she said.
Sackrider's battle
After you've experienced a sewer backup, you've got to be careful about the cleanup.
Sackrider said she had a difficult time finding a crew on a Sunday but finally got Lamunyon Cleaning and Restoration. The crew arrived about
"They ripped up carpet. They ripped up pads," she said. "I have about 18 inches of Sheetrock all around the bathroom and parts of both bedrooms that are gone. I lost a vanity in my bathroom. All I have is a toilet and a shower in my bathroom."
Health hazards involved
Howell, of Lamunyon, said there are health hazards when a sewer backs up and cleanup should be left to the pros, who wear sanitation suits.
"You will be surprised the amount of people who will show us the damage in their bare feet because they don't want to get their shoes dirty," Howell said. "They expose themselves. Especially little ones; young ones are the most susceptible to having problems."
Howell said anything porous, including carpet, pads and Sheetrock, has to be removed and replaced.
-- Reporter
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