Regina, SK (Aug. 5, 2015) – More than ever before, homeowners are improving their basements, but many are forgetting the most important piece – sewer back up prevention. Only 1.6% of SGI CANADA customers today have a professionally installed back water valve to protect their homes when wet weather hits.
That’s why SGI CANADA is encouraging all homeowners renovating their basement to have a professionally installed back water valve on the mainline of their home.
“Simply put, it’s necessary home maintenance, but most people don’t think of it like that. If you consider how important shingles are in protecting your home from weather-related damage, a back water valve installed on a home’s mainline is just as important,” said Don Thompson, VP of Product Management at SGI CANADA. “Water can do incredible damage, so just imagine what raw sewage can do. It’s an expensive mess to clean, and can damage all the hard work homeowners are putting into their basements.”
The number of sewer back up claims filed with SGI CANADA has doubled over the last nine years, and the cost of each has too.
“We saw it last year, and it could happen again this year. Weather is more unpredictable and without the proper protection of a sewer back up valve, many of our customers are losing valuable property in their basements,” Thompson said. “Not to mention all the hard work they’ve put into getting their home the way they want it, only to have to start again.”
Protecting your home
For homeowners who do not have a back water valve, there are other steps to take to help reduce the risk of a sewer back up:
- Keep sewer caps on all basement sewer outlets (including your floor drain, washer stack, sump hole, etc.) during rainstorms.
- Install a sump pump and discharge drainage onto your lawn or driveway.
- Disconnect all rainwater downspouts from your basement sewer system and cap disconnected standpipes.
- Extend all rainwater downspouts away from the foundation of your home.
- Ensure the flow of surface water is directed away from the foundation of your home and the foundations of your neighbours’ homes.
- Avoid using water during heavy downpours.
“At SGI CANADA, we care that our customers are getting the best coverage and the best service possible; that’s why we want customers to know how important sewer back up prevention is,” Thompson said.
About SGI CANADA
SGI offers its competitive property and casualty insurance products through SGI CANADA and its subsidiaries: SGI CANADA in Saskatchewan, SGI CANADA Insurance Services Ltd. in Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia, and Coachman Insurance Company in Ontario. It sells its products exclusively through independent insurance brokers in all jurisdictions. Visit SGI CANADA at www.sgicanada.ca.
Source: SGI CANADA
