Terri Scheer sewerage claim

I recently had some sewerage issues at my property in Waterford west which turned out to be quite costly.

Initially blocked toilet, plumber went out, cleared sewerage pipe of roots with pressure blaster $429. Then sent council out to see if they would repair.

Council repaired as far as they were willing to go for free.

Toilet blocked again, plumber went out, excavated front yard and replaced entire sewerage pipe as I requested, $1560.74.

So total with plumber is $1989.74, it looks like my Terri Scheer policy covers sewerage as it is defined as part of building, my excess is $500.

Office is closed today so I am unable to start a claim, has anyone had experience making a similar claim with Terri Scheer?

My policy ends this weekend, I was going to change to EBM as I wanted the same insurer over my entire portfolio but may renew with Terri Scheer if I have a claim in process.

 

I didn't realise that insurance would cover tree roots going into pipes.

Later edit: had a quick look at the Product Disclosure Statement online and they specifically exclude damage from tree roots (on p. 48).

 

It may not, has this been your experience?

Interestingly the plumber informed me, tree roots do not 'break into' plumbing causing damage, the leak occurs through faulty plumbing and tree roots simply follow the moisture in as a result.

 

The pipes are usually vitrified clay with mortar joints, over time the joints crack allowing moisture to escape which attracts the tree roots.

This is a wear and tear issue not a fault issue.

 

I have edited my post as I just read the PDS and tree roots are excluded by Terri Scheer (on p. 48).

 

I believe it is a PVC sewerage pipe but a screw cap was loose which allowed roots to enter.

Thanks for the info. I guess I will not make a claim then, over to EBM I go.

 

Sewer pipes are rubber ring jointed, stormwater pipes don't have rubber rings. Hence being more prone to getting ******.

 

The use of rubber rings began in the early 1970's prior to that mortar joints were used.

 

This is a maintenance issue. Over time pipes do move, tree roots get in the slightest crack and blockages eventually occur.

No insurance policy will cover this damage, it is a result of ageing pipes.
Marg

 

Wow did you really have a Golden Cane get into your pipes!? Were they shallow, or planted directly above the pipework? Aside from the taproot, most palms shouldn't have deep and roving root systems.

That is a good price all up.

Beautiful area too. We lived on waterfront acreage at the end of Katrina Crescent for years, great place to live. It was a shame the owners retired and had to move back into the home.

 

most sewer pipes were urban wear with mortar joints

 

We have a huge Golden Cane about a metre from the front of our brick house. The brickwork goes down 600 ml below the ground level onto the foundations further down in the rock. Should I get a backhoe or do the roots tend to go straight down?

 

" earthenware"

 

Nowhere near at fashionable as urban wear