Does a home warranty cover the main water line?
Having a home warranty can give you peace of mind knowing your home’s covered appliances and systems will be fixed or replaced when they break down. However, home warranties come with a set of terms and conditions that outline the coverage of your home warranty, which can leave you confused and unsure of what exactly is covered.
When your plumbing system breaks down, you may find yourself combing through your contract to determine which parts of your plumbing are included in your warranty coverage.
Your main water line works hard for you and needs some maintenance to keep your appliances and systems running at an optimal level. You may not even realize how important your plumbing is to running your home until you have an issue.
Plumbing problems can start with a small leak, or you may experience a major plumbing stoppage. You may be surprised by a problem that ends up leaving you with water damage in your home, which is common with frozen pipes.
Regardless of the source, any plumbing issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later, though. Leaving water to pool — either from a broken pipe or another such issue — can lead to water damage in your home, causing rotting wood and toxic mold.
The following are our best tips to avoid plumbing issues, and we’ll also take a look at home warranties to explain whether your plumbing system will be covered should you run into any problems.
The most common problems that may plague your water line
Even a small plumbing problem can cause a major issue in your home, so check out our list of the most common plumbing issues and our best tips for maintaining your plumbing system to avoid the cost and inconvenience of unexpected repairs.
If troubleshooting any of the below issues does not solve the matter, you may need to make a service call for water line repair. If you have a home warranty, you can contact a professional plumber through your service contract, and they will be able to identify and solve your problem in a timely manner.
Leaky taps and faucets
Your kitchen garbage disposal, kitchen sink, bathroom sink and even your shower may have a slow drip coming from a tap or faucet. These appliances are used often, which often leads to small wear-and-tear issues that require repair. A dripping tap is not only a sign of an issue, but it will also cost you money due to water loss. Ensure you are regularly checking your faucets and taps for drips. A faulty washer inside the faucet mechanism may be at fault; this is an easy fix that should be addressed promptly.
Low water pressure
If you notice your water is not coming out as strong as before, you are looking at low water pressure. The issue may be solved by cleaning the aerator of your faucet or showerhead to remove minerals and sediment that build up over time. You may be able to clean the part that is blocked by soaking it in a solution for cleaning minerals or by first cleaning and then soaking it in vinegar.
Slow-draining sink
A slow-draining sink signifies a blockage somewhere in your plumbing pipes. Hair in the drain is a common culprit of a slow-draining bathtub, and in the kitchen, you may have a clogged pipe due to food or organic debris that has been put down the drain. You may be able to use a snake to remove the blockage, or a chemical or vinegar-and-baking-soda solution may also help. Pour the solution down the drain, or use the plumbing snake to remove the clog, if possible. Preventive maintenance may be effective by using a trap in your drains.
Clogged toilet
When your toilet will not fully flush, you are left with a (gross) problem. There is usually something caught in the pipes, including an excessive amount of toilet paper. To fix, you should be able to use a plunger, but if the problem persists, you may need to use a snake.
Running toilet
A running toilet not only sounds annoying, but it also loses water at a high rate. A remedy to this issue is to ensure that your flapper valve is sealing properly.
When a home warranty covers a water line, what does it cover?
The good news is a homeowner with a home warranty plan will usually have the main water line covered for repair or replacement due to normal wear and tear.
A good home warranty company will cover all the parts of a plumbing system, including the hot water heater, sump pump, garbage disposal, septic tank, showers, whirlpool and bathtubs.
Most warranty coverage does not include broken or collapsed water, vent or sewer lines. If your plumbing is being encroached upon by roots, the ensuing damage may not be covered either.
Coverage through your warranty company will be outlined in the terms and conditions of your warranty. It is important to find a home warranty company that has easy-to understand terms and conditions in their contract.
What you should consider when comparing home warranty plans that have main water line coverage
When shopping for a home warranty plan, you will want to consider a few key items:
Your home warranty company should offer plans that are available for any type of budget and offer maximum coverage for each plan. If you have appliances or home systems that do not fall under a normal set of appliances, like a septic system or a pool or spa, the home warranty company you choose should offer coverage with these additional appliances or systems.
A home warranty works similar to homeowners insurance, but instead of covering your personal effects and the structure of your home due to accidental or catastrophic damage, a home warranty will cover your appliances and home systems when they break down because of normal wear and tear, age and use.
A good home warranty company will offer excellent customer service, advanced technology and easy-to-access service contacts.
Best warranty plans with main water line coverage
An excellent choice for a warranty plan is Cinch Home Services.
With easy-to-read terms and conditions, you will always be sure that you know what you are covered for. The coverage at Cinch Home Services surpasses many of its competitors, and the pricing is hard to beat.
When choosing your home warranty contract, choose a plan that suits your budget and your needs. Cinch Home Services is ready to help you today.