Warranty Program Would Protect City's Water Customers from Big Repair Expenses

The and Service Line Warranties of America are introducing a new program available to all city homeowners. The Service Line Warranty program provides low-cost, worry-free warranty protection for water lines, according to Saline City Manager Todd Campbell.

"Saline residents are responsible for maintaining their water lines that extend from the utility connection at the water main to their homes. If these lines break or leak, repairs can be very expensive," said Campbell. 

The Service Line Warranty program offers citizens an affordable way to avoid the unexpected and often large expense involved with a water line break, according to Campbell. When a line breaks, the cost to repair it can often cause hardship on a family’s budget. This new program will offer warranty protection to help cover the costs of a break. 

Saline residents will see offers in their mailboxes soon. The cost for citizens who choose to purchase the warranty protection is $4 per month and will cover water line repairs up to $4,000 plus an additional $4,000 in coverage if public street cutting is required.

Campbell said the cost of repairing a break varies but that the typical bill is around $2,000.

The program is of no cost to the city itself.

Originally, the city was offered a 10 percent royalty from Service Line Warranties of America based upon total annual sales to Saline residents. However, the Saline City Council voted unanimously not to participate in the royalty program so residents would receive a 50-cent reduction on their monthly premium.   

"We are pleased to partner with the city of Saline in bringing peace of mind to homeowners in Saline through an affordable Service Line Warranty program," said Brad Carmichael, vice president of business development for Service Line Warranties of America. “We think Saline residents will be pleased with our features and benefits, including 24/7 repair service using local, certified technicians. This keeps dollars in the local economy, an important benefit in these tough financial times.”

Carmichael said he expected to offer external sewer line warranty coverage to Saline residents in the near future. He expected the warranty for sewer line coverage would be more expensive.

"We'll work with local plumbers in the area to develop pricing," he said.

According to the company's website, customers who notice a break in their line and call a 24-hour hotline will receive a call from a prescreened contractor, usually within the hour. Within 24 hours, the customer and contractor arrange a time for repairs. The bills are sent to Service Line Warranties of America.

Once the line is repaired, the team will provide basic site restoration in the yard, which includes filling holes and mounding dirt to allow for setting and reseeding grassy areas.