Why Sewage Losses Happen – Causes, Risks, and the Right Way to Clean Them

Posted on by msi-admin

When most people think of water damage, they picture a burst pipe or a leaky roof. But sewage losses are far more dangerous and destructive. Unlike clean or gray water leaks, sewage water (also known as Category 3 water) is highly contaminated and requires immediate professional cleanup. Understanding why sewage losses happen — and how to respond — can help protect your health, your home, and your investment.

What Is a Sewage Loss?

A sewage loss occurs when wastewater backs up into a home or business instead of draining properly. This water isn’t just dirty — it contains harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemical contaminants. Because sewage can spread quickly through flooring, walls, and personal belongings, every hour of delay makes cleanup more complex and costly.

The Most Common Causes of Sewage Losses

  1. Aging or Damaged Sewer Lines
    Many properties still rely on older clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipes that deteriorate over time. Cracks, collapses, and corrosion can all cause sewage to back up into a property.
  2. Tree Root Intrusion
    Roots naturally seek moisture and can break into underground sewer pipes through tiny cracks or loose joints. Once inside, they expand, creating blockages that force sewage back into the property.
  3. Heavy Rains and Flooding
    When municipal sewer systems are overwhelmed by storms or snowmelt, excess water can push sewage backwards into homes — particularly basements and first floors.
  4. Clogs from Improper Disposal
    Flushing non-flushable items like wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, or pouring grease down drains creates blockages that prevent proper flow. Over time, this leads to sudden and messy backups.
  5. Sewer Line Breaks or Misalignment
    Shifting soil, construction activity, or poor installation can cause joints to separate, collapse, or misalign. This restricts sewage flow and increases the risk of backups.

Why Sewage Backups Are So Dangerous

  • Serious Health Hazards
    Category 3 water contains pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and respiratory problems. Direct contact or even airborne exposure can be harmful.
  • Extensive Property Damage
    Sewage water saturates drywall, flooring, insulation, and furniture. Most porous materials must be removed, not just cleaned, to prevent long-term contamination.
  • Lingering Odors and Hidden Contamination
    Even after water is removed, dangerous bacteria can remain inside building materials, causing odors and long-term health risks if not properly treated.

Why Professional Cleanup Is Essential

Sewage losses are not a DIY job. Shop-vacs, mops, and household disinfectants cannot fully sanitize a contaminated area. Professional sewage cleanup includes:

  • Full Safety Precautions – Crews wear PPE including respirators, gloves, and protective suits.
  • Specialized Extraction – Industrial pumps and vacuums remove contaminated water quickly.
  • Controlled Demolition – Unsalvageable materials such as carpet, insulation, and drywall are safely removed.
  • Disinfection & Sanitization – EPA-approved disinfectants are applied to all affected surfaces.
  • Structural Drying – Dehumidifiers and air movers prevent mold growth after cleanup.

Protecting Your Property from Future Sewage Losses

While not all sewage losses are preventable, there are steps you can take to reduce risk:

  • Schedule routine inspections of older sewer lines.
  • Avoid planting trees near underground sewer pipes.
  • Install a backwater valve to prevent municipal backups during storms.
  • Never flush wipes, feminine products, or paper towels — even if labeled “flushable.”
  • Properly dispose of cooking grease instead of pouring it down drains.

Fast Response Matters

Every minute counts during a sewage loss. Delaying cleanup can mean higher repair costs, more property damage, and greater health risks.

At MSI, our trained teams are available 24/7 for emergency sewage cleanup and water damage restoration. We follow strict industry standards to remove hazardous water, sanitize the property, and restore it safely — giving you peace of mind when you need it most.

Call MSI today at 215-339-1769 for immediate sewage cleanup services.

Water Backup Insurance Coverage – What’s Covered and What’s Not

Posted on by msi-admin

When it comes to protecting your home, water damage is one of the most common — and costly — risks. While many homeowners carry insurance, there’s a specific type of protection that often goes overlooked until it’s too late: water backup insurance.

At MSI, we regularly help clients who discover the hard way that their standard policy doesn’t cover sewer backups or sump pump failures. Here’s what every homeowner should know about this critical coverage, what’s included, what isn’t — and how to protect yourself from a very unpleasant (and expensive) surprise.

What Is Water Backup Insurance?

Water backup insurance is an optional endorsement — not typically included in standard homeowners policies. It covers water damage resulting from:

  • Sump pump failures
  • Water backing up through sewers or drains
  • Some types of localized sewer line issues

However, there’s a catch: If the source of the backup is outside your property line — such as a municipal sewer blockage in the street — most policies will not cover the damage. This exclusion is particularly common in row homes or urban areas, where backups often originate in the shared city sewer system.

What It Typically Covers

If your water backup coverage is triggered, it generally pays for:

  • Emergency water extraction and cleanup
  • Sanitizing and mold prevention
  • Repairs to walls, flooring, and structural materials
  • Replacement of damaged personal items (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.)

Some policies include coverage for sewer backups — but only if the issue is proven to originate on your property. Coverage will not apply if the root cause lies beyond your home’s plumbing system.

What It Doesn’t Cover

Many homeowners are shocked to learn that their water backup coverage has strict exclusions. Most policies will not cover:

  • Flooding from outside sources (requires flood insurance)
  • Municipal sewer system blockages (common in city row homes)
  • Gradual seepage through foundation cracks
  • Damage due to lack of maintenance or neglect

Even if your basement floods with sewage or gray water, your claim can be denied if the cause traces back to a public line or an unmaintained pump.

Coverage Limits Are Often Too Low

Even if you have water backup coverage, you may not have enough.

Most policies cap this endorsement between $5,000 and $10,000. While that may sound sufficient, keep in mind that this amount must cover:

  • Emergency mitigation
  • Structural repairs
  • Drying and sanitizing
  • Mold remediation
  • Personal content replacement
  • Labor and material costs

In today’s market, a serious backup can easily exceed $10,000 in total costs. If you have a finished basement, home office, or expensive electronics in the affected area, the gap between what’s covered and what’s lost can be substantial.

Common Misconceptions

There are a few frequent assumptions that leave homeowners exposed:

  • “My homeowners insurance covers sewer backups.” → Not by default. This requires the water backup endorsement.
  • “Flood insurance covers everything.” → It only covers external flooding — not interior plumbing or sewer backups.
  • “$10,000 in coverage is enough.” → Maybe for minor incidents, but not for full basement reconstruction and content loss.
  • “Sump pump failure won’t happen to me.” → They fail more often than people think, especially during heavy rain or power outages.

Why This Matters in PA, NJ, and DE

Our region is especially prone to water backup problems for a few reasons:

  • Older city infrastructure leads to frequent sewer overloads
  • Tight row home construction increases the chance of backups from neighboring lines
  • Heavy seasonal storms overwhelm sump pumps and storm drains
  • Finished basements are common, increasing the financial impact of a backup

We’ve responded to countless calls from homeowners who had insurance but not the right kind, or not enough of it. In most cases, just a small change in their policy would have saved them thousands.

How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves

Here’s what we recommend:

  • ✅ Confirm you have water backup coverage — don’t assume.
  • ✅ Ask your agent to explain what’s excluded (especially sewer line origins).
  • ✅ Increase your coverage limit — ask for $25,000 or more if you have finished spaces.
  • ✅ Install a battery backup sump pump — essential during power outages.
  • ✅ Use check valves to prevent backflow through drains.
  • ✅ Regularly inspect plumbing and drainage systems for wear and blockages.
  • ✅ Keep valuables off the floor and use shelving in basements.
  • ✅ Document your belongings in case of future claims.

MSI Can Help

At MSI, we specialize in water damage restoration — including sewage and drain backups. When disaster strikes, we respond quickly to extract water, sanitize the area, prevent mold, and rebuild. We also help homeowners document losses and navigate insurance claims to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

If you’ve had a backup or just want to prepare for the worst, contact MSI today. We’ve seen firsthand how devastating these events can be — and how much worse it is when insurance doesn’t come through.