Insurance Sending Plumber after Flood

2/16/2019 at 10:55:09 PM

Insurance will typically provide coverage for sewer backup but not overland flooding. You haven't said how the basements were flooded - whether the water entered through the floor drains or if toilets overflowed, etc.

The plumber may be checking to see if the systems were installed in accordance with Code (sanitary and storm sewers not misconnected); perhaps also checking for presence and maintenance of backflow preventers if installed.

Not sure if there is anything you can or should do to prepare other than making sure backflow preventers are accessible and not covered by carpeting or anything else.

2/17/2019 at 9:38:05 AM

Thanks for the reply. It broke on the street and entered everyone's home via the driveway and garage. It actually pushed the garage door in. It flooded the garage first and then it started to enter via another door into the rest of the basement. There was zero flooding via our toilets drains.

2/17/2019 at 11:15:57 AM

It does sound like a situation that should be covered by insurance. Not sure what the purpose would be in sending out a plumber in this case?

I had my own experience with an insurance claim where the City sewer system flooded and backed up into many homes in our neighborhood. I ended up starting on the repairs myself and got punished for it - others with the same damage as me collected twice as much from insurance so I learned it doesn't pay to be proactive. I should have held off and let them do their work or went out and got 2 or 3 quotes. I was losing important revenue from my basement.

2/19/2019 at 7:42:47 AM

Hi it's Mike from Cirton plumbing and drains. A backwater valve would of prevented a flood in your home.

2/19/2019 at 10:03:54 AM

After the flooding in our neighborhood the City of Edmonton reimbursed owners in affected areas to install backwater valves - we took this offer. The City also began a program to improve drainage systems in various affected parts of the city through storm water retention ponds & other measures.

2/22/2019 at 9:05:33 PM

The water entered from the street via the driveway into the garage and then the rest of the apartment. It was not a backflow of water. The plumber came and inspected drains etc and everything is by code. So all is good now and we can proceed with the claim.