Blog>Expert Advice>Do I need plumbing and drainage cover?
Last updated: 25 October 2024
Do I need plumbing and drainage cover?
Plumbing and drainage issues aren't just a real pain - they're expensive to fix. Want to know if you need plumbing and drainage cover? Find out here.
Overflowing drains, frozen pipes, and blocked toilets can be a real problem. Not just for your home, but your bank balance too.
When your plumbing goes bang, the cost can quickly escalate without insurance.
Consider dedicated insurance to deal with these problems without paying out-of-pocket.
Read on to see if plumbing and drainage cover is right for you.
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Plumbing and drainage cover explained
Your current building insurance may only cover some plumbing or drainage issues.
Make life easier with additional home insurance. This cover is a massive help when dealing with sudden or accidental damage.
You can get cover for;
Seized taps
Sewer backup
A clogged water supply
Leaking or burst pipes
Blocked or leaking drains
Blocked or overflowing sinks and toilets
Depending on the type of cover, it can extend to external drains like blocked sewer lines. Consider plumbing and drain cover when a plunger just won't cut it.
Cover doesn't usually include the following;
Non-urgent issues
Blocked guttering
Electric showers
Wear and tear issues
Plumbing problems due to faulty installation or repairs
Shared or public drains that aren't your responsibility
Consider the amount of coverage you need when taking out your policy. This way, emergency repairs won't exceed the maximum limit.
Emergency plumbing and drainage cover
Plumbing and drainage cover, or home emergency cover, includes protection for emergency plumbing issues.
When something goes wrong with your plumbing or drains, insurance is a huge help.
You can get immediate help for major leaks or severe blockages leading to water damage to your home.
But always check what your provider considers an emergency.
Most insurers consider an emergency to be something that;
Causes permanent damage to your home
Causes your home to be unsafe or open to thieves
Is a risk to the health and well-being of you and your family
Advantages of plumbing and drainage cover
Plumbing and drainage insurance covers the cost of emergency plumbing issues.
That's not all.
Your insurance provider will usually provide an emergency helpline to help you reach out in an emergency.
Other benefits include;
Protect your home from further damage with an immediate response to burst pipes or blocked drains
Save money on complex and costly emergency plumbing repairs
Access to qualified and approved plumbers and drainage professionals
So, if you're looking for an easier way to deal with your home emergencies, plumbing and drainage cover could be your solution.
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What is drain cover?
You can add plumbing and drain cover to your current building insurance.
Also known as drainage cover, it includes cover for urgent issues like;
Repairs to pipes running from your home to the main sewer line
Standard drainage plans don't always cover external plumbing. Additional cover can help you protect your outside drains, too.
What is plumbing cover?
Plumbing insurance is an additional cover that helps with sudden internal plumbing problems like;
Burst pipes
Blocked pipes
Slow leaks in fixtures
FAQs
Is plumbing covered by building insurance?
Building insurance generally covers sudden and unexpected water damage to your home, known as 'escape of water'.
But, not all situations are covered, and neither are repairs to the pipes themselves. Check your home insurance plumbing terms to arrange extra cover if needed.
Who is responsible if the toilet is blocked?
A blocked toilet is usually up to the homeowner to fix.
If you rent your property, your landlord or property maintenance company will fix the fault.
Your local water company might be responsible for blockages caused by external drain problems or a clogged sewer line.
Not sure? A plumber or drainage specialist can help find the root of the issue.
Have you experienced a blockage on your property? Your insurance provider can arrange for a professional to diagnose and repair the issue.
Who is responsible for a blocked sewage drain?
It depends on where the blockage is coming from.
Blockage issues in the public sewer line are often down to your water company.
For homeowners, blocked drains in your property up to the public sewer line are your responsibility.
How much does it cost to clear a blocked drain?
The costs to clear a blocked drain depend on the severity of the blockage.
For example, drain rodding costs start at £75.To deal with severe clogs, it's £400 for drain rodding andjetting.
First, you might spend around £300 on a basic CCTV survey. To get a full drain report to diagnose problem pipes, it's£400.
Major issues like tree penetration, extreme blockages, or water pooling around foundations can get expensive.
You might also find our guides to drain unblocking, drain repair, and plumbing inspection costs helpful.
How do I unblock my outside sewer drain?
The first thing to do when an outside sewer drain is blocked is to find the cause.
Watch out for slow-draining water or unpleasant smells coming from your drain. Hidden damage can be harder to spot.
You can try unblocking your drain with a;
Heavy plunger for minor blockages
Drain rod to push or pull apart blockages further down the drain
High-pressure jet wash to break up any debris stuck in your pipe
When these methods don't work, call a professional plumber or drain specialist to help.
Your insurance provider will help you arrange and pay for investigation and repairs.
Having the right cover in place can help you deal with leaks and blockages before they damage your home.
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