Most home insurance policies do not cover sewer line backups and clogged pipes. If your toilet or sewage system overflows and causes water damage, you will be responsible for the repair costs.
Standard homeowners policies typically won't cover blocked pipes from tree roots or any type of sewage backup. However, many insurers, including Progressive, offer an endorsement to your policy that may cover sewer line damage.
Generally speaking, you're usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are usually outside of property boundaries, and sewers. Although most sewers are now publicly owned, there are still some private or unadopted sewers.
Average Cost of Drain Cleaning
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $150 and $400 for professional drain cleaning services. Here's a rough breakdown of costs based on the method used: Snaking/Augering: $100 to $250. Hydro Jetting: $300 to $600.
If the damage is sudden, accidental, and comes from inside your home, you're typically protected with a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, you typically won't be covered if the water damage is caused by outside flooding or a neglected repair.
Reasons for denial can range from the nature of the damage itself—such as gradual damage that occurred over time—to issues with how the claim was filed, including missed deadlines or insufficient documentation. Furthermore, unreported property modifications can also lead to complications during the claims process.
Typically, a basic homeowners insurance policy will cover plumbing if the damage is sudden and accidental, rather than gradual. “Sudden and accidental” is a phrase that most insurance carriers use to determine which plumbing claims are covered and which are not.
For the toughest of clogs, a plumber may use a hydro jet. This tool sends pressured water through pipes to break down drain build-up. This tool is often faster and more efficient than a typical drain snake. Hydro jets get rid of the clog, but they're also effective for cleaning drains.
You'll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment. Keep in mind that you won't get a quote from Roto-Rooter over the phone.
Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.
For example, if it's a blocked sink that isn't overflowing, this isn't a drain emergency. However, if the only toilet in the house is blocked, this is more of an emergency that requires a prompt resolution.
Bathroom damage
Shower rod bent or missing. Bathtub, sink, and toilet enamel surfaces are broken. Clogged drains resulting from negligence, not aging pipes. Bathroom mirror damage that clearly results from the use of personal products instead of general aging.
The homeowner is responsible for maintaining any water pipes located on private property up to the boundary of the road where the company's water main is laid. If there is a shared pipe serving more than one property, it becomes the joint responsibility of all property owners that are connected to it.
Responsibility for a blocked drain that is located on a person's property will depend on its location. Most of the drains that a water company must maintain are on public land, outside of the private property boundary. The property owner must maintain their own drains when they have a blockage.
Most insurance companies will cover unexpected water damage. However, damage caused by an ongoing issue or structural problem may not be covered. Roto-Rooter makes the water damage insurance process as easy as possible by working directly with your insurance company.
Your home insurance may cover damage to your septic tank, leach field and connecting pipes if the damage is caused by a sudden, accidental event the policy covers, such as fire, hail and lightning. However, it's important to read your policy carefully to check for exclusions.
Salt and Baking Soda
Salt is a cost-effective alternative that works well for minor clogs. Mixing half a cup of table salt with baking soda and pouring it down the drain before adding boiling water can help break down grease and debris.
Roto-Rooter costs $100 to $600 on average for minor fixture repairs or clogged plumbing. Roto-Rooter rates for fixing a toilet or sink are less than for unclogging drains and sewer lines. Plumbing services for emergencies like burst pipes cost $1,000 to $3,500.
Clearing a clogged sewer line can take an hour to a few hours, depending on the blockage. If your lines are severely blocked, a video inspection and more advanced techniques may be necessary to find and address the clog.
Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Homeowners insurance will often cover water that backs up into your house as long as the blockage is within the plumbing system on your property. But if the problem is in a public sewer system, your insurer typically won't cover it unless you've added water backup coverage to your policy.
After you file a home insurance claim, it's possible that your premium will increase when your policy renews. If you file one claim, your insurance company may see you as likely to file another in the future. To offset the cost of that potential claim, your insurance company may charge you more for your policy.
Whether your home insurance covers plumbing leaks depends on the nature of the issue. If you experience water damage from leaky plumbing or household systems and appliances that is sudden and unexpected, then your homeowners insurance will generally cover the cost of the resulting water damage.