Does a Home Warranty Cover Sewer Lines?

What sewer line services does a home warranty cover?

Many home warranty companies only cover interior sewer lines that make up your plumbing system. On the other hand, most home warranties include plumbing coverage that offers protection for things like stoppages and breaks in the pipe. Some companies even provide plans with exterior water and sewer line coverage.

Sewer lines in your home typically start from the various drains, toilets and appliances inside your house and connect to a main line that carries wastewater out to the municipal sewer system or a septic tank. These lines are usually buried underground and can run through both interior and exterior areas of your property. Because they are not easily visible, homeowners often don’t realize there’s a problem until backups, leaks or slow drainage occur. Understanding how these lines are set up helps explain why damage can be difficult to diagnose and costly to repair.

Here are some things that a home warranty covers for sewer lines:

• Water and sewer pipe damage
• Pipe stoppages
• Collapsed pipes
• Clearing of stoppages

Coverage caps

Many home warranty companies have coverage caps on sewer lines. This means that the company will only pay up to a specified amount on the costs of parts and repairs, and then you are liable for the rest.

Potential exclusions to sewer line home warranty coverage

Many home warranty contracts list things the warranty won’t cover. For example, some companies only cover interior or exterior lines and exclude things like preexisting conditions.

Here are some other things that many home warranties also don’t cover:

• Landscaping replacements
• Frozen pipes
• Clean up of materials
• Leaks from tree roots
• Damage from foreign objects
• Waste lines
• Sump pumps

What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover sewer lines

If you find out your home warranty doesn't cover sewer lines, you might be able to switch to a higher package that does. Some companies even offer water and sewer line protection add-ons. This will add to your home warranty costs.

Additionally, homeowners insurance typically covers both exterior and interior sewer lines for common causes of damage. It also covers accidental damage, such as a burst frozen pipe, an overflowing toilet or a flooded basement.

Without warranty or insurance coverage, repairing a sewer line can be a significant expense. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars for minor clogs or repairs to several thousand dollars for more extensive work. Full sewer line replacements, especially if excavation is required, can easily exceed $10,000 depending on the length of the pipe and accessibility. These potential costs highlight why sewer line coverage can provide valuable financial protection.

Bottom line

Breakdowns to your sewer line can be a burden and lead to costly expenses. However, many home warranties provide coverage for sewer lines and can help with parts and repairs. This can save you hundreds of dollars. Just be sure to check your contract for your coverage specifics.