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[Still Raining]

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Poor baby, here is a hug ❤️

You are right about insurance, I won because State Farm was able to prove the county caused it by blowing out their pipes.  They even sued them for my deductible.

I am on septic now and that is one pampered field.  

[RedTop]

@qualityshopper 

If your homeowners insurance does not help you with this claim, you have the wrong type of coverage, and a not so helpful agent!   

Temporary relocation expenses should be covered for any reason that forces you out of your home.  

[CAcableGirl2]

@qualityshopper  Remember its easy for your insurance to say no (and probably their standard practice), and then hope you go away.  You may need to get some legal advice based on your policy just to make sure they are correct.

Sorry to say, but my attitude is they are being paid to say no, and it's your job to make them say yes.

I just dealt with an auto accident insurance that was trying to lowball me on my vehicle worth (his insurance - he was 100% at fault), and when I asked them to provide pictures of the "less then great condition" interior that they were using to discount my payout, they couldn't and paid me for the "great" condition they were. 

Don't give up!

[gidgetgh]

Now that I think of it, I think my policy has a cap for what they will pay for sewage backup.

[Lilysmom1]

I agree with @CAcableGirl2 .  The first answer from insurance is always "no".  My father ran an insurance business.  My sister worked for him.  I can always remember her saying "if it isn't excluded, it is included".

It sounds like this will be an expensive proposition.  Have you thought about consulting a lawyer?

Good luck.  This is a tough situation and I am wishing you the best for a speedy resolution.  LM

[Katcat1]

@qualityshopper     Bleach will be your best friend along with a household liquid.  I would also purchase Lysol spray.  Wear gloves.  You may want a company to come in and clean it up but make sure you get their estimate and what they will be doing and what products are used.  Good luck to you.

[qualityshopper]

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. 

I may have to end up getting a lawyer, I don't know, but if it comes to that, that will be another expense I can't afford. I would have to find one who will work pro bono. Meanwhile, my insurance agent is telling me coverage will depend on the exact cause, which don't know yet. Seems like if damage had been done to the floor, carpets, etc., I'd have coverage, but just having sewage in the tub and sink isn't covered. You'd think, though, the fact that I can't live in my home would at least be covered, but no. Apparently hotel stays are only covered if the cause for the stay is covered, and at this point in time, it doesn't look like it will be.

On top of this, the first hotel I stayed in for a few nights (went to a different one so I could have a kitchenette) overcharged me $360! They were treating all of my phone calls as long distance instead of free local calls. Since I live about 5 minutes from that hotel, I knew those were all local. Fortunately, I got that corrected and that money will be refunded. I keep waiting to see what next is going to happen.

[RedTop]

@qualityshopper 

Most likely this backup is going to be caused by an old, deteriorating main line or invasive root growth in the line, from the house to the street.   

[qualityshopper]

Well, thought I'd give an update. Finally returned home yesterday, only to discover new problems. First, it seems like my sewer backup was due to toilet paper! No roots, broken lines, etc. I was surpriesed by this, but maybe it was just time for this to happen. I mean, I'm 67 and I've been here all my life, so I guess, as I said, it was just time.

Anyway, after getting home, I deciced to run the washer (nothing in it) just to see if anything would happen, and it did. Started hearing all kinds of gurgling sounds from the kitchen sink as the water would empty from the washer. So, plumbers back again today. They said some of the sewage backup might still be in the vents (?) inside the wall, so they snaked the sink and seemed to have it fixed.

After they left, I ran some water in the sink and noticed it was discolored. Called them and they said they had noticed that as well, both from the sink and in the washer (I wasn't close enough to see that while they were here). They recommended I run warm water from all my sinks and the bathtub for about 30 minutes! I didn't like that idea, so I called the city to see what they had to say. She said wait about an hour of so, and then just run cold water from the bathtub for about 10 minutes, and if it still was discolored, call them back. Not sure whose advice to follow (think I'll do what the city suggested), but I keep wondering if this nightmare is ever going to end.

I keep wondering if I'm going to have to go back to the hotel because I feel that I still can't use my water (except to use the toilet). And, even though I'm being assured that the sewage backup has nothing to do with the brown water, I can't help but wonder. It can't just be a coincidence that, out of the blue, I now have brown water right after having the backup. Seems like there has to be some connection. What's next???

[RedTop]

@qualityshopper 

By any chance do you use Charmin?  That brand is the only one that ever clogged our line from the house to the septic tank.