Insurance question

[keithb]

I posted a couple of days ago with a sewer smell question (coming from kitchen sink after washing machine emptied). Taking this forum's advice, I called a local plumbing company. A quick trip with the auger (I am not sure exactly what the thing is called) proved the problem to be a collapsed line under the slab due to roots. They ran into mud and roots only 6 or so feet from the sink. Does anyone know if homeowners insurance provides any coverage? I realize that every policy has exclusions and I will need to pull my policy tomorrow at the office and read it carefully but offhand, any ideas regarding coverage? Thanks

Keith

[ToUtahNow]

I posted a couple of days ago with a sewer smell question (coming from kitchen sink after washing machine emptied). Taking this forum's advice, I called a local plumbing company. A quick trip with the auger (I am not sure exactly what the thing is called) proved the problem to be a collapsed line under the slab due to roots. They ran into mud and roots only 6 or so feet from the sink. Does anyone know if homeowners insurance provides any coverage? I realize that every policy has exclusions and I will need to pull my policy tomorrow at the office and read it carefully but offhand, any ideas regarding coverage? Thanks

Keith

You should check your policy but most policies I have worked with cover ensuing damaged caused by a "sudden break". In other words the repair to a broken pipe is not covered but the damaged caused by the broken pipe, the damge to access the broken pipe and the damage to repair the broken pipe are covered. A drain line which has roots in it would not be considered a "sudden break" it would be considered maintanance.

Mark

[plumberscrack]

I've done some insurance repairs in the past. Like Mark said depends on your particular policy. Some will pay for removal/replacement of anything to give access to the pipe but not the plumbing repair itself; less the deductable of course.

It's definately worth a phone call to your agent

Good luck

[gear junkie]

Rereading your original thread, I think you should get a second opinion. Your symptoms don't seem to add up. Did these plumbers video inspect your line?

[westcoastplumber]

Rereading your original thread, I think you should get a second opinion. Your symptoms don't seem to add up. Did these plumbers video inspect your line?


I completely agree, get 2-3 opinions before completing major work like this.

Make sure they run a camera and make a vhs tape.

[PLUMBER RICK]

I posted a couple of days ago with a sewer smell question (coming from kitchen sink after washing machine emptied). Taking this forum's advice, I called a local plumbing company. A quick trip with the auger (I am not sure exactly what the thing is called) proved the problem to be a collapsed line under the slab due to roots. They ran into mud and roots only 6 or so feet from the sink. Does anyone know if homeowners insurance provides any coverage? I realize that every policy has exclusions and I will need to pull my policy tomorrow at the office and read it carefully but offhand, any ideas regarding coverage? Thanks

Keith

keith, out of the hundreds and hundreds of sewer videos i've done, i can't remember seeing a collapsed line. roots all the time.
i would think you would have a track record of these problems from before?

get a second opinion and possibly a good jetting to clean the line. i would be surprised if it truly was a collapsed line.

rick.

[jeeny1]

Hi dear whts up? I have read your complexity regarding insurance. As far as I know about insurance it doesn’t coves. But take second advice from your agent.

[westcoastplumber]

keith, out of the hundreds and hundreds of sewer videos i've done, i can't remember seeing a collapsed line. roots all the time.
i would think you would have a track record of these problems from before?

get a second opinion and possibly a good jetting to clean the line. i would be surprised if it truly was a collapsed line.

rick.


Hmm, I had 2 last year, one cast iron, broke apart, could see the dirt and the mud very well, couldn't pass at all, under a slab.

the next was 11 feet deep, the saddle connection, clearly collapsed on video, out of all you do, I am suprised you have yet to see one.

[Drain Medic]

keith, out of the hundreds and hundreds of sewer videos i've done, i can't remember seeing a collapsed line. roots all the time.
i would think you would have a track record of these problems from before?

get a second opinion and possibly a good jetting to clean the line. i would be surprised if it truly was a collapsed line.

rick.

Wow, i just did 2 inspections last week, next door neighbors, both of their lines were collapsed down by the sidwalk, huge sinkhole...looked like someon just stepped on the pipes and broke it down.

[keithb]

I think we will probably need to get a second opinion for insurance if for no other reason. The estimator for the plumbing co. came today and wants to do a re-route for the kitchen sink and washing machine out the wall and then around the yard back to the main. I KNOW there is a leak into the kitchen as I see /feel the water when the washing machine empties. I saw the guys "hit" the end yesterday about 6 feet from the sink cleanout. He came back twice with mud and roots. I know nothing about this so I am curious: Can the system/drain pipe still be used even if there is mud and roots in it if they could auger past the obstruction? If so, then it makes real economic sense to get someone in to try to drill past it. BUT, the pipe is still broken isn't it? Just cleaning out the obstruction doesn't solve my problem of a leak does it? Thanks for all of the opinions and help. This forum is a true service.

Keith

[JERRYMAC]

no It Does'nt Solve Problem Because If You Have Broken Pipe The Mud Keeps Running Into Pipe Blocking It, " If" A Plumber Could Get It To Clear Temporary !

Jerrymac Masterplumber & Master Drainman