Why Backups Happen

Normally sewer backups occur because of clogged pipes, which are often preventable. Backups can also occur due to invasive tree roots, cracked or sagging pipes, weather, natural disasters, vandalism, infrastructure failures, improper installation, and separated joints in underground pipes. Backups are more common in older homes with basements. At times, the cause of a backup in a wastewater pipeline is from items that the line is not meant to handle, such as kids’ toys, diapers, paper products (other than toilet paper), keys and many other items that will clog the line eventually.

Prevent a Backup

Keep Fats, Oils and Grease out of your drains and garbage disposal and ensure that no objects other than toilet paper and human waste are being flushed down toilets. Use paper towels to wipe out excess pan oils before washing. You can also use a grease-fighting liquid dish soap to help break up potential blockages. You might also want to contact a plumber to assess your pipeline and drains periodically. Plumbers can clean out existing pipes, and video your sewage pipeline all the way to where it connects to the District’s main sewage pipeline.

What To Do If You Have a Backup:

1. Contact the District immediately for assistance if you help in determining where the blockage is located.
2. Check the toilets, sinks and drainpipes to clear any blockages to ensure that the water is not due to an internal plumbing problem. It’s important to know that a sewer (wastewater) backup is contaminated and may contain a number of bacteria and viruses, which can affect your health.
3. Try to carefully close as many drain openings as possible.
4. Don’t run any more water, use the toilets or send any water down the drain as it will likely end up in your basement or lower levels of your home.
5. Check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing any backups. If they are, it is likely that it is a problem in the main sewage line. Contact the District immediately to report the problem.
6. Call a plumber to assist with clearing the issue, closing any drains remaining open, and to assess your home’s internal issues.
7. Contact your homeowner’s insurance to determine what coverage might be available

Please Note: The sewer (wastewater) pipeline from the property line of the Property Owner to and throughout the home is owned and maintained by the Property Owner. The District maintains the sewer service line from the property line to the point of connection (usually under the street) where it connects to the wastewater main pipeline.

If the backup occurs in your service line or in the main line as a result of anything other than the utility's negligence, it is ultimately your responsibility to clean up the mess and restore the line. Utilities are not responsible for your lines, or for acts of nature or vandalism. In many cases, we will coordinate clean up with a cleaning service to help minimize the damage, but the financial responsibility probably lies with you. There are some insurance agencies that offer coverage for sewer and drain backups. See below and talk with your agent to learn more.

Sewer Backup Insurance Options

Your homeowners' insurer may offer coverage for sewer and drain backups. It could provide thousands of dollars of coverage for a relatively low cost. Ask your agent for more information, or contact the insurance carriers listed below:

• Allied Insurance
• Allstate
• American Family
• American National
• Chubb
• Country Financial
• Farm Bureau Property & Casualty
• Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance
• Farmers Insurance
• Farmers Union Insurance
• Fireman's Fund
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• Safeco Insurance
• State Farm
• USAA

Find more information online at coveryourflush.com.