The importance of a septic system warranty

Living in an area that does not have a centralized sewer system pressures you into having a septic system of your own. If you don’t have one, you will want to get it. These systems are essential to your day-to-day life and you need to treat them with care. There are a lot of reasons why a septic system may break down, so repairs are required from time to time. These repairs can get rather costly. To minimize your expenses, you will want to purchase a septic system. And to get the best warranty for your situation, you will need to read top rated home warranty reviews. In this article, we will explain exactly why having a home warranty for your septic system is so important, as well as provide you with some tips on how to choose the best one.

Why is a septic system warranty so important – a detailed analysis

To be able to fully understand the importance of a septic system warranty, we need to answer the following questions:

• Why do septic systems break down?
• How long do the septic systems last?
• What is covered under a septic system warranty?
• How to choose the best septic system warranty for your needs?

Another thing to mention is that a home warranty can cover many other appliances in your home, such as HVAC systems. In fact, there are many reasons why you need a home warranty plan, and all of them include protecting your budget. A home warranty is essentially insurance against overwhelming costs. Can you go without it? Yes. Is it smart? Not really. It is in your best interest to ensure that you are capable of repairing the septic system when it breaks down. The repair costs can be overwhelming, after all, easily reaching $5,000 or more. But why do you need to repair the septic system in the first place? Let’s take a look.

Why do septic systems break down?

There are countless reasons why your septic system might fail on you but some are more common than others. But, according to Pennsylvania EPA, “Most septic systems fail because of inappropriate design or poor maintenance”. That being said, here’s the full list of why your septic system might break down over time:

• Improper installation
• Excessive water use
• Lack of maintenance
• Damage to the system

By knowing exactly why your septic system might break down, you will learn how to prevent it from happening in the first place.  With that in mind, let’s explore these reasons, starting with:

Improper installation

Many people choose to have a non-professional install their septic system. While this comes at a lower cost, it also presents a significant risk. All septic systems have very strict requirements when it comes to the depth, as well as the soil in which they are placed. By not knowing these requirements to the letter, it is very easy to install the system incorrectly. The main issue is that if your system was installed incorrectly, you will not be able to get any benefits from home warranty plans. No warranty company will provide coverage if the system breakdown occurs due to a problem with the basic requirements, after all.

Excessive water use

There is a finite amount of liquid that a septic system can take. If you happen to be using more water than the system can handle, it may cause the septic tank to burst. Or you may experience an overflow in the drain field. Or it all can come back rushing to your home. Needless to say, the latter is the most disturbing by far but all of the situations are not pleasant and will present you with a significant repair cost.

The best solution to never have to experience this problem is to simply limit your water usage according to the septic system calculations. This is something that you need to be mindful of all the time, lest your system fails you. Try to spread out laundry use over the week instead of doing it all on the same day, for example.

Lack of maintenance

A septic system warranty is not going to help you if you do not maintain your system properly. It is your duty to perform routine maintenance, such as pumping the scum from the tank. While pumping the scum is something that you may need to do every two or three years, maintaining the overall system is something you might want to put on your spring home maintenance checklist. Furthermore, you will also want to avoid flushing any chemicals or objects that can clog the drain.

To get the most out of a septic system warranty, you will need to be on top of your maintenance efforts. One of the main reasons why home warranty companies refuse to cover repairs is the lack of maintenance. Therefore, it is in your best interest to not allow them the chance to do so if you can do something about it.

Damage

The septic system is comprised of four main elements. The tank, the drain field, the pipe, and the soil. Each element can incur damage and create problems for the rest of the system. For example, a tree root can grow in an inopportune place, or your system might experience damage from freezing and thawing, respectively. Or someone might drive over your drain field.

All in all, all of the damage (that you are not directly responsible for) comes under the purview of home warranty coverage. In fact, direct damage to the system is one of the main reasons why you need a septic system warranty in the first place. You never know if a root is going to suddenly cause trouble for your system, or if someone is going to drive a truck over your drain field, after all.

How long do the septic systems last?

Most septic systems last anywhere between 15 and 35 years. But with sufficient care and maintenance, their owners can prolong the system’s life well over 40 years. But the systems do break down from time to time. The septic pump might need to be repaired or replaced, or the septic tank needs to be serviced. Either way, you are looking at a minimum of $250 in septic pump repairs and a maximum of almost $10,000 for septic tank servicing! Not to mention any

And this is where the septic system warranty “kicks in”. If you have been maintaining your septic system, the warranty will cover all of the repairs and replacements. You will only need to pay a small service fee while the home warranty company brunts all of the other costs. But, as always, there is a “catch”. Not everything is covered by a septic system warranty.

What is covered under a septic system warranty?

Septic system warranty’s main purpose is to protect your system from any breakdowns and mechanical failures. Most plans will cover the septic tank, jet pump, aerobic pump, sewage ejector, and sewer lines. However, you need to be extremely careful when choosing your home warranty company. The exact terms of the warranty will greatly differ from one company to another. It is in your best interest to take your time and consider your options. With this in mind, we have some tips for you!

How to choose the best septic system warranty for your needs?

The first thing you will need to do is look into the company’s ratings. You will want to work with a reputable home warranty company, even if their plans might cost a bit more. The reason for this is the fact that there are so many exclusions and limitations that an unscrupulous home warranty company can abuse. You want to be working with someone that has a reputation for being honest. Second, you will need to choose the right coverage plan for your needs. Some companies will provide you with only the septic system coverage but most will only allow it as an “add-on”. Even if you plan on purchasing a combo plan, make sure that your septic system is included in it. You will want to contact as many reputable home warranty companies as you can find and compare what their plans offer.

Lastly, you need to be extremely wary of any exclusions to the septic system warranty coverage. These exclusions are always listed in the contract but some companies may “hide” them. Make sure that you read the contract in full, fine print and all, and fully understand exactly what is covered and what is not.

For more information on the best home warranty companies, as well as home warranties themselves, refer to your #1 resource – Consumer Opinion Guide. Our knowledge database is there to help you reach the optimal choice for your home warranty purchase and to provide you with any information you might require!