Does a Home Warranty Cover Plumbing Systems?

You may already know that homeowners insurance only protects the structure of your home and your personal belongings, not your home's appliances and fixtures.

But what about other aspects of your home, such as your electrical, heating and cooling and plumbing components?

Nope, you're not covered by traditional homeowners insurance.

And if you're asking yourself, "Does a home warranty cover plumbing?" the answer is, "Yes."

It's why millions of homeowners have a home warranty plan in addition to their regular homeowners insurance -- because you don't want to worry about that stuff the morning after a big plumbing emergency.

Indeed, if you've got a bad leak or some other type of serious issue with your home's plumbing system, the last thing you want to do as you tally the damage to your furniture, carpets, rugs and other prized possessions is whether or not you'll have to go out of pocket to repair your home.

Home Warranty Basics

Unlike homeowners insurance, which protects you in the case of theft or a natural disaster -- like a tree falling on your home, or a flood or fire -- home warranties provide peace of mind and coverage for the things in your home you actually use every day, such as your fridge, oven, sinks, toilets, washing machines and dryers.

This coverage also includes your plumbing. Home warranties cover all your home's systems, such as central heating and air, your home's electrical system and, yes, your plumbing system.

That said, each plan is different, and coverage for some appliances and systems may cost extra, so make sure you talk to your insurance agent if you have any questions about your home's exact coverage.

Furthermore, it's important to note that home warranties only protect you under normal wear and tear, so a DIY project gone bad isn't reason enough to file a claim.

Plumbing Systems Overview

While your home's plumbing system isn't likely the reason you bought your house, defects in workmanship and materials can ruin what you thought was the perfect home. It can also displace you and your family for days, weeks or months if you encounter a severe problem with it.

Modern-day home plumbing systems are made up of two main parts: the water supply line and the drain-waste-ventilation line.

The water supply line is responsible for bringing water from the city's water supply into your home and typically hooks into your water heater (hot) and several other cold lines.

Mostly commonly connected via copper pipes from the exterior of your property, the water supply line is pressurized with pockets of air that keep the water flowing whenever you turn on the tap, but also prevent pressure from building up and rupturing your pipes.

The second part of your plumbing system, or the drain-waste-ventilation line, is responsible for sending waste from your toilets and other drains in your house out to the main sewer line.

Typically, much larger than a water supply line that is commonly an inch to an inch-and-a-half, the drain-waste-ventilation line is much thicker and wider, and tends to be made from durable plastic such as PVC that is easy to work with and cut. Your home's drainage pipes are also unpressurized, so they have to rely on proper angles and gravity to send waste away.

Common Plumbing System Problems

Unfortunately, the two parts of your home's plumbing system are subject to issues. Thankfully, a home warranty does cover plumbing systems, so you don't have to worry about the specifics of it all.

But because it's pressurized, the water supply line can sometimes build up pressure that can burst pipes and lead to other issues. If you've ever experienced water shooting out of your sink, toilet or shower, that's water pressure. In that situation, it doesn't take much to soak your walls, floors and cabinets. That moisture can develop into mold if not addressed quickly.

The drain-waste-ventilation line is also susceptible to leaks because its plastic pipes, although great for DIY projects, can corrode and leak, particularly around joints that should have been well sealed with rubber cement. It's a double-edged sword. PVC is cheap and easy to work with, but you'll likely need to replace your home's drainage pipes far sooner than your home's metal pipes need attention.

For more ways to avoid plumbing issues in your home, check out our plumbing maintenance tips.

Plumbing Systems and Home Warranties

Since homeowners insurance only covers the structure of your home, you're out of luck if your plumbing system develops an issue, particularly if it leads to a nasty flood or significant water damage.

The good thing is that a home warranty is a plumbing warranty for your home. It can protect you against all the little things that can go wrong with your home's plumbing system, including leaks and ruptures in your home's pipes; old or worn out valves, faucets or showerheads; faulty switches, pumps and motors, like those found in many bathtubs; and just plain gross blockages in the sink, shower, tub or toilet.

The fact that you can protect against these issues is great when you consider a plumber can cost hundreds of dollars an hour, and that's before materials or the cost of an emergency late night or weekend visit.

Beyond Plumbing - Home Warranties for Everything Else

But while there are several ways for your home's plumbing system to come back and bite you, just think about all the other things around your home that you rely upon each day.

Your oven, range, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and your home's heating and cooling system can all fail, and a home warranty means you won't have to pay out of pocket to get your home back up and running if anything goes wrong.

A home warranty covers plumbing, heating-and-air, electrical systems, and appliances. Typically, newer homes will come with more updated versions of each. However, older homes are particularly at risk for large repair bills if an appliance or system goes out because you have no idea when they were last replaced, or if the job was done well.

The best part is that if something can't be fixed or repaired as is, you could receive a brand-new replacement, all at no cost to you.

---

If you'd like to find out more about a home warranty, including our home warranty plans, contact us today.