Western General Insurance
160-340 Midpark Way SE T2X1P1 Calgary, AB, Canada

What causes a sewer backup? A sewer backup occurs when something blocks the normal flow of wastewater from your house to the city’s sanitary sewer, and the sewage starts to back up into your home. There are several factors that can contribute to a sewer backup, including: Aging sewer systems Too much rainwater or melted snow entering the sewer system at once Broken or collapsed sewer lines... A cracked or deteriorated sewer lateral (the pipeline between the city's sanitary sewer main and your home) Tree roots entering sewer lines Blockages in city sanitary mains Blockages in plumbing inside a building Sump pump failure Check out the full blog with video https://www.economical.com//april-2019/how-to-prevent-a-se|blog|p|1|en-CA #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #broker #albertainsurance #sewerbackup #waterdamage #prevention #causes #protectyourself #claims #propertyinsurance #home #tenant #condo #farm #rental #business #auto #travel #callus

Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Canada and there are many ways unwanted water can end up in your home. One common cause of water damage is sewer backup, which happens when water begins to flow backwards into your home. Yes, this is just as unpleasant as it sounds. Not only does exposure to sewage pose a health hazard, but the clean-up process is extensive and costly. Over the next few days we’ll be focused on sewer backup. How to recognize it,... what causes it and how to help prevent it. How do you recognize a sewer backup? You may not always recognize signs of a potential sewer backup until it’s too late but contact a plumber right away if you notice: Seepage at basement floor drains A foul smell coming from your drains Toilets aren’t flushing like they should, and plunging doesn’t help More than one drain in your house is clogged When you use one piece of plumbing (like a toilet), water backs up somewhere else Bubbling after you flush a toilet or when a sink is trying to drain (and it happens more than once) #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #broker #albertainsurance #sewerbackup #waterdamage #prevention #causes #protectyourself #claims #propertyinsurance #home #tenant #condo #farm #rental #business #auto #travel #callus

We have covered what to do before and during a wildfire (see our last two posts to catch up). When local authorities say it’s safe to return to your home, follow these steps to make the transition as smooth as possible: Pack some supplies. Before you head home, try to gather these basic supplies: o Gloves o Goggles o Closed-toe shoes... o A cell phone (with a camera) and a charger o A flashlight o Bottled water o Garbage bags o A first aid kit Walk around the perimeter of your home before you go inside. Look for out-of-place electrical wiring, gas smells, or loose debris. If you notice downed power lines or a gas smell, call your hydro or gas company before entering your house. Enter your house carefully and turn off the main power breaker before you make your way through the rest of the house. If you have to use a generator, a charcoal grill, or another fuel-burning device, make sure you keep it outdoors, and in a well-ventilated area. Don’t drink the water. Stick to bottled water until your local officials have confirmed your tap water is safe to drink, and avoid flushing the toilet until you know that your sewer or septic system is in good working order. When in doubt, throw it out. Food and drinks inside your fridge or freezer should likely be tossed if your house lost power for an extended period of time or was exposed to heat, ash, smoke, or any of the chemicals used to put out fires. Canned items that are sealed and don’t appear damaged should be wiped clean in case they’ve been exposed to any harmful chemicals. Bonus tip: Take pictures of anything you’re throwing out. Your home insurance policy could help pay to replace the foods you have to throw away. Take photographs of any damage before you begin cleaning up. This can make it easier for your insurance company to process your claim. Contact your home insurance broker. If your home has sustained damage, your broker can coordinate with your insurance company to help you get repairs underway. Be prepared to provide some important details about the damage to your broker or the claims representative from your insurance company Full article, visit https://www.economical.com//before-during-and-after-a-wild #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #wildfireprevention #forestfire #britishcolumbia #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

Further to yesterday’s post on how to prepare prior to a wildfire, keep these tips in mind when you’re aware that wildfires have begun and are approaching your town or neighbourhood: Monitor the local news and obey the authorities. Evacuation notices and other directions from your local authorities should be announced on your local news station. Always obey directions given by your local or provincial government. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. If an evacuat...ion notice is issued, you might not have much time to get ready to leave your home. It’s a good idea to pack a bag of items you couldn’t live without (don’t forget medications and important documents), and leave your vehicle parked in a position that will make it easy to drive away quickly. Keep your windows and doors closed to limit your exposure to smoke and dust. If you have time, consider covering vents, windows, and other openings with duct tape and plywood. Wet your roof and property. Unless local authorities have asked you to limit your water use, consider using a sprinkler to soak your roof and property. Save receipts for additional living expenses. If a government authority orders you to evacuate, your home insurance policy could cover out-of-pocket expenses like food and a place to stay. Keep receipts for any costs you wouldn’t normally face while living in your own home. #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #wildfireprevention #forestfire #britishcolumbia #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat