Are Blocked Drain Covered By Insurance In Sydney?

Drains are an important feature of our properties that run throughout our homes and businesses, conveying water and trash on a daily basis. They’re not invincible, though, and they’ll run into a snag or two at some point during their useful life.

What matters is how quickly drain problems can be handled, how easily they can be fixed, and how much it will cost to fix them. We’ll look at what drainage issues your insurance issues in Sydney.

As you experience plumbing problems like a blocked drain, blocked toilet, or flooding resulting from a leak somewhere, you might not realize the reason for the problem. Your blocked drain plumber would investigate the issue, clean your drains, inspect them with a camera to look for the problem, and possibly have to dig up and replace your sewer. 

Our blocked drain plumber Sydney is here to offer their expertise in drain clearing solutions to fix those clogged drains. We will answer all of your questions concerning clogged drains and insurance in Sydney in this article. might cover, as well as what you might have to pay for yourself.     

Signs of a Blocked Drain Pipe

Sewage Odour

A strange smell coming from the pipe below is one of the first symptoms that a blockage is developing. We can’t offer you a particular description of the scent because it depends on what has made its way down your drain. It will, however, most likely be a negative experience. In the kitchen, for example, it’s likely that old food has accumulated and become caught in the drain. It’s important to keep a watch on a persistent smell coming from your drain. If the smell persists, you may have a clog on your hands!

Sinks that Drain Slowly and Make Gurgling Noises

The majority of the time, clogged sinks and tubs are caused by food scraps, hair, oil, cooking fat, and grease. As a result, both water and air bubbles are unable to pass through the drain. Using a plunger, drain snake, or removing the P-trap under the sink and clearing out any clogs, these are frequently easily cleared.

In other cases, gurgling sounds and slow drains could be caused by insufficient ventilation. It is not widely known, but your property’s pipes have drain waste vents (DWV). Vents allow sewer gas to be vented outside the home. It also allows air into the system to aid in the removal of water. If one of these vents is damaged, there may not be enough vacuum to remove the water.

Flooding and Sinkholes

It is not only food debris that can cause a blockage; you may be surprised to learn that tree roots and plants can also cause a blockage! Plant roots are biologically hardwired to seek out water sources, which your underground pipes provide. When plants detect a leak, they will aggressively break into the pipe, often completely clogging it.

However, this has other consequences, such as flooding in your front yard, mushy ground, and even mini sinkholes.

Types of Blocked Drains not Covered by Insurance in Sydney

While plumbing malfunctions and burst pipes are covered, it’s important to understand that certain situations or types of damage aren’t.

Inadequate Maintenance

Water damage caused by normal wear and tear or a lack of maintenance is not covered. For example, you may notice a minor leak but fail to address it for several weeks because only a small amount of water is leaking. That leak could gradually cause a bulge in your wall, prompting you to file a claim.

Unfortunately, if you had decided not to address the issue immediately, you would have voided your coverage weeks earlier. Your insurance company will almost certainly claim that you failed to perform routine maintenance and will deny any reimbursement.

A burst pipe during the winter is another common claim that many insurers deny. If you go on vacation for the holidays and turn off your heat completely, the temperature may cause your pipes to freeze and burst. In this case, you may be held liable for the repairs because you could have prevented the damage yourself.

Sewage Backup

While a leaking toilet may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy, a flooded or backed-up sewage system is not, despite the fact that it may overload your plumbing system.

Fortunately, most home insurance companies offer sewer or water backup coverage as an affordable rider that you can add to your policy. It’s a good idea to add this optional coverage because sewage damage can be extremely dangerous to your family and destructive to your home and property.

What Does My Insurance Cover?

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes should be covered under your insurance policy, but many policies exclude pipes that burst due to age or corrosion. If your pipe is otherwise in good condition and bursts, your insurance company will most likely cover you.

Clogged Drains

The main issue with blocked drains is that they are frequently caused by people making careless mistakes. Flushing things down the toilet that should be thrown away, such as baby wipes, or pushing food down the plughole instead of throwing it away, all contribute directly to blocked drains. If you can’t clear a clog after a few attempts, make sure you turn the job over to an experienced blocked drain plumber. If your drains have become clogged as a result of improper use, it is unlikely that your insurance company will pay for it. However, if the blockage is caused by landslides or subsidence, or something else beyond your control, you may be able to make a claim.

When it comes to drains, most policies will cover accidental damage. However, defining the term “accidental damage” is difficult, and insurance companies may refuse to pay out on the basis of a technicality. Natural corrosion of drains, in general, is not considered accidental damage. Damages caused by the intrusion of a tree root or nearby tree excavation, on the other hand, fall under the category of accidental damage.

We hope this article has answered the majority of your questions about blocked drains and insurance coverage in Sydney. If you think you may have a blocked drain give us a call today for a free quote or to make an appointment with one of our blocked drain plumbers. We are a fully licensed and insurance-blocked drain Sydney plumbing specialist.