I’m writing this in an effort to prevent someone else from having the same kind of disaster happen to them as the massive sewer backup on Dec. 17, 2003, was to me, and to let folks know that they might need to check their homeowners insurance for coverage of sewer backup in case that happens.

Residents of municipal sewerage districts need to have check valves installed by a plumber into their interior sewer lines in their basements to prevent sewer backups, especially if their homes were built before the 1980s. New homes are protected by the law, which requires such valves to be installed in the construction, but if your home is older, look to see if the line coming in has a short section with metal ring clips on each side of a hump containing the valve. If not, the valve can be put in place in less that 20 minutes, usually, for about $150.

If I had known how inexpensive and important a check valve was, the horrible experience of having the smelly eruption of sewage flowing into my bathroom and cellar could have been avoided.

If you live at a level where your home sewer line may be at a lower level than the main, consider this an important warning.

Marguerite Johnson, South Paris