How to choose the best home warranty for septic system coverage
As a homeowner, you probably don’t think much about the septic system installed in your home — that is, until a surprise breakdown catches you off guard.
While less commonly installed in large municipalities, many homes still have septic systems installed. A septic system treats wastewater from homes located on the outskirts of a city or in more rural towns by using certain chemicals referred to as the “good” bacteria.
Malfunctions in septic systems can be caused due to several reasons, like lack of maintenance, bad-quality soil, normal wear and tear, or toxic chemicals in the wastewater. It can affect the septic tank, jet pump, sewer ejector pump and line from the house.
However, by partaking in regular maintenance, the septic system should last for a good 15 to 20 years.
As with any appliance or home system, costs involved can vary depending on the extent of repair. Certain issues can be quite costly, and that's when a home warranty comes into play.
Put simply, a home warranty is a contract between a home warranty company and a homeowner in which the company provides services related to repairs or replacements for the home’s essential appliances or systems.
For homebuyers who have just bought a new home and are looking to install a septic tank (or have already installed one), a home warranty offers excellent benefits, like saving on enormous repair costs or easing the difficulty in finding good professionals.
In fact, unlike homeowners insurance, home warranty plans have coverage options that tackle breakdowns from normal wear.
Some of the best home warranty companies include Cinch Home Services, American Home Shield, Liberty Home Guard, Select Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty.
However, note that among all the home warranty providers, only a few provide septic tank coverage in their list of covered items.
In this article, we will discuss what things to consider when choosing the best home warranty for your septic system.
How do home warranties cover septic systems?
A “good” home warranty covers important parts of septic systems, such as:
- Mainline stoppages
- Septic tank pumping
- Sewage ejector pump
- Sump pump
- Jet pump
- Sewer lines
- Aerobic pump
- Septic tank
Oftentimes, homeowners think of home warranty coverage as optional. However, it can be a perspective-altering moment when essential appliances or systems malfunction.
Home warranties cover the high costs of sudden and inevitable repairs and replacements from normal wear and tear. In fact, they cover a broad range of problems that home insurance may leave out.
Home warranty providers like Cinch offer comprehensive coverage for your septic tanks when optional coverage is purchased.
What to look for when choosing a home warranty for your septic system
Surprise septic system breakdowns can be bothersome. Here’s what to look for when choosing a home warranty for your septic system:
- Select the right plan option. Home warranty companies offer a huge range of plans to choose from, like basic plans, system plans or combo plans.
- Compare the costs. Warranty coverage for septic tanks is often listed as an add-on. Before you make a final decision, it is advisable to compare the pricing between a few septic system warranty providers.
- Check for coverage exclusions. Typically, certain home warranty companies do not offer coverage for problems like drain field pipe replacement, disposal of septic tank waste, or regular maintenance pumping.
When you decide upon a septic system warranty provider, be sure they are reputable, provide industry-standard services, and are trustworthy. Here are a few frequently asked questions:
- How long have they been providing services to the industry?
- Do they vet the professionals, be it an electrician or a plumber?
- What is their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating?
- Does the warranty plan cover your entire area?
Apart from septic tanks as an optional add-on, a few more items that should be covered by a home warranty include the following (keeping in mind that certain exclusions do exist):
- HVAC (heating system, ventilation and air conditioning)
- Refrigerator
- Cooktops
- Ductwork
- Clothes washers
- Ceiling fans
- Washer and dryer
- Garbage disposal
- Water heater
- Dishwasher
- Exhaust fans
- Trash compactors
- Water heater
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing system (including plumbing stoppages)
- Freestanding ice makers
- Garage door openers
- Microwave
- Oven
With optional coverage or add-on coverage, you can also cover your pool, spa or sewer line.
How long do septic systems typically last?
Maintenance plays a big role in the longevity or durability of any home appliance or system, be it an air conditioner or septic tank.
Generally, a new septic tank lasts for 20 to 30 years on average. In certain environments, septic tanks can last for 50 years, depending on the soil quality. However, these figures are not definite, and their longevity is influenced by several other factors, like build quality.
Below we explore three important factors that affect the longevity of a septic tank.
- How many people reside inside the home? Generally, it is assumed that a single-bedroom home consumes 110 gallons of water daily. More bedrooms mean the septic tank will have to tackle more wastewater. When a septic tank receives too much water in frequent intervals, the wastewater is compelled to proceed toward the drain field before the good bacteria is done breaking down the organic waste or the solid particles settle down. Unfortunately, when this happens, the hard particles get stuck in the drain field and can deter its functioning.
- What household products do you use daily? Certain household products carry toxic chemical pollutants that can harm the good bacteria inside the septic system. Ammonia, bleach, nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants and phosphates are common chemicals or ingredients present in household cleaning products. Heavy usage of such harmful chemicals can have an irreversible effect on the septic system’s health and durability.
- What is the quality of the soil in your area? Lastly, the quality of the soil has a direct impact on the durability of a septic tank. For example, if the groundwater is acidic in nature, it can lead to corrosion in the septic tank. Be sure to thoroughly investigate which septic system is good for your area before you invest in one.
How much do home septic system repairs typically cost?
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of repairing a septic tank is around $1,752, or between $626 and $2,193. However, certain heavy repairs can go up to $6,000 or more. That being said, the cost for septic tank repairs depends on the parts that need attention or the materials the system is made of (like plastic, concrete or fiberglass). Service might include parts like the baffle, adding bacteria, pump-related repairs, leach field repair or other replacements.
Get the best septic system warranty coverage from Cinch
Say goodbye to heavy repair costs relating to your septic tanks. Cinch’s protection plans offer basic plans to total home coverage, depending on your needs and requirements.
Cinch home protection plans cover appliances and major home systems that are used daily, along with additional coverage like septic tanks.
With Cinch’s coverage plans, you can be sure that your peace of mind stays intact when a critical home appliance malfunctions, even if it has pre-existing conditions. Simply pay a small service call fee (apart from the basic monthly cost or annual fee as per your plan), and you are good to go. No need to fret about high repair costs or scratch your head trying to find a vetted professional.
Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee and fast response times. In addition, there are thousands of vetted professionals with decades of experience who have serviced over 1 million claims.
When you sign your Built-in Systems plan service contract with Cinch, you can be sure that your home’s critical systems, including the septic tank, are safe whenever trouble strikes.
Get an instant quote today!