Plumbing and Drainage Cover | Landlord Home Emergency Cover
Plumbing & Drainage Protection

Plumbing and Drainage Cover
Stop Leaks Becoming Expensive Emergencies

A blocked drain or burst pipe never happens at a good time. One fixed monthly payment covers everything — no surprise bills, no midnight plumber searches.

Landlords: legally required to keep all water installations in working order. We make that easy.

£150–£600burst pipe repair
£120avg emergency call-out
From £5/mocover starts
24/7helpline
Overview

What Is Plumbing and Drainage Cover?

A protection plan for your home's pipes, drains, toilets, and water supply. When something goes wrong, you call one number. A qualified plumber arrives, diagnoses the fault, and fixes it — parts and labour included.

Your home insurance doesn't cover this. Buildings insurance pays for water damage after a leak. It does not pay to fix the cause. Plumbing cover fills that gap.
What's Covered

What Does It Cover?

Hover each card for a key tip to check before buying.

Burst & Leaking Pipes

Internal pipes throughout your property, including supply and return lines.

Most common claim — always included

Blocked Drains

Internal and external drainage — toilets, sinks, baths, and outdoor gullies.

Check if external drains are included

Toilet Faults

Toilets that won't flush, overflow, or have a failing cistern mechanism.

Cistern parts usually included

Leaking Taps & Overflows

Faulty tap washers, overflow pipes, and supply valve failures.

Labour and parts covered

Stop Taps & Cold Tanks

Cold water storage tanks and stop tap failures that affect your supply.

Confirm trace & access is included

Water Supply Pipe

From your property boundary to the home — your responsibility, not the water company's.

Underground pipe cover — check policy
ⓘ Always check for trace and access cover — this pays to locate hidden leaks including opening walls or floors. Not included in all policies.
Who It's For

Who Needs It?

Hover each card to see why it matters for you.

Homeowners

Hover to see your exposure →

You're Fully Responsible

If a pipe bursts on a Sunday evening, you pay the full emergency rate — typically £150–£600 plus a £100–£120 call-out fee. Without cover, it comes straight out of your pocket.

Landlords

Hover to see your legal duty →

Your Legal Obligation

Section 11, Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 requires you to keep pipes, drains, and all water installations working. If a tenant reports a fault, you must act fast. Cover means an engineer is booked immediately.

Value

Is It Worth It?

Repair TypeTypical Cost
Burst pipe repair£150–£600
Emergency call-out fee£100–£120
Unblock a toilet~£146
Blocked external drain£400+
Monthly cover planFrom £5/mo

One call-out = months of cover

A single emergency call-out costs more than several months of premiums combined.

Older properties, higher risk

Older pipes fail more often. Parts are harder to source. Repair bills run higher — cover pays off faster.

Legal protection for landlords

Cover keeps you legally compliant under Section 11 without the stress of finding contractors at short notice.

Policy Limits

What Is Not Covered?

No policy covers everything. Always read exclusions before you buy.

Pre-existing Faults

Any problem that existed before your cover started is not included. Get known faults repaired first.

Shared Drains

If a drain serves multiple properties, responsibility depends on where the blockage sits.

Pipes Outside Boundary

Your water company is responsible for the main sewer. Your policy covers your side of the boundary only.

Misuse & Negligence

Blockages caused by flushing wipes or pouring grease down drains may be excluded from claims.

Maintenance Tips

How to Prevent Plumbing Problems

1

Never pour cooking fat or grease down the sink. It solidifies in pipes and causes serious blockages — the leading cause of drainage claims.

2

Do not flush wet wipes, even ones labelled flushable. They do not break down and create fatbergs inside your drainage system.

3

Know where your stopcock is. If a pipe bursts, turning off the water immediately limits damage significantly.

4

Insulate pipes in lofts and unheated spaces before winter. Frozen pipes crack and burst when temperatures drop overnight.

5

Act early on slow drainage, gurgling sounds, or bad smells. Catching problems early costs far less than emergency repairs.

Claims Process

How to Make a Claim

Do not arrange your own repairs. We cannot reimburse costs for work carried out without prior approval.
1

Call or Log Online

24/7 helpline available. Describe the fault clearly — day or night.

2

Engineer Booked

Same-day attendance aimed for all emergencies.

3

Fault Fixed

Engineer arrives, diagnoses, and repairs — parts replaced as needed.

4

No Invoice

Pay only your agreed excess. No extra charges on top of your plan.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does plumbing cover start straight away?

Most policies have a 28 to 30 day waiting period. Pre-existing faults are never covered — get known issues repaired before taking out a plan.

Does home insurance cover plumbing and drainage?

Not usually. Buildings insurance covers water damage to your property — it does not cover fixing the pipes or drains that caused it. You need a separate plan.

Who is responsible for shared drains?

If a drain serves only your property, you are responsible. If it serves multiple properties, your water company or local authority may share responsibility. Check with your provider.

Can landlords cover multiple properties?

Yes. Separate policies per property are available. Each includes a dedicated helpline and allows tenants to report faults directly.

Should I try to fix plumbing problems myself?

Minor issues like a dripping tap are safe to attempt. Anything involving stop taps, supply pipes, or drain systems should go to a qualified plumber — DIY repairs can void your cover.