Sewage Backups Lead To A Big Stinkin’ Mess

Sept. 08--Your insurance policy may not cover costly sewage backups

As she opened the door to her South Highland Avenue home June 6, Barb Sackrider knew immediately something had gone wrong.

"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 Reece Howell, general manager of the company that cleaned up the mess at Sackrider's house.

Since she discovered the mess on a Sunday, Sackrider had to wend her way through the Salina utilities department's automated message system to report the issue.

"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 $1,000 deductible on her homeowner's insurance policy was denied.

The letter that Sackrider received from Travelers Insurance read, "The reason for the denial is the city had no actual or constructive knowledge of any problems with the sewer main before the date of loss."

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 $8,945 in sewer damage, but after she filed her claim with State Farm, the former physical education teacher was informed that her policy had been canceled.

Be aware beforehand

According to information published by Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, homeowners should ask in advance if their homeowner's policy covers sewer or water damage.

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 Martha Tasker, the city's director of utilities. "If you are going to have sympathy for somebody, it's when somebody else's wastewater is coming back to their house. I can't think of a much worse experience to have."

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

Terry Smith, Salina plumber, said he cleaned and ran his camera through Sackrider's sewer the day before her backup occurred. He said it was all PVC pipe and there were no roots.

Tasker said that a city ordinance dating back to 1970 requires that backwater valves, or backflow prevention valves, be installed in Salina homes. By installing the valves, property owners reduce their exposure to potential sewage backflow.

"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 $300 to $500. Older houses have an old gate valve which has to be manually shut and if you are not present when a backup occurs to close it, sewage will come out the lowest point in your house, which is usually a floor drain or shower in the basement."

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 4:30 p.m. and worked until 10:30 p.m.

"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 Tim Horan can be reached at 822-1422 or [email protected].

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