homeowner safety valve company reviews in stock

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“I received a brochure in the mail regarding Connecticut Water’s Linebacker Protection program. There’s scant detail in the information, but I gather it’s a program that insures the water line from the road to your house. Should one of those lines break the cost can run into the thousands of dollars and is borne by the homeowner, not the water company. Can you please tell me whether this is a legitimate program and whether the entire cost of a line breaking would be covered? Thanks.”

As for insurance offers from Connecticut Water and other utilities, Coyle said PURA does not regulate those programs, and terms and prices can vary from company to company. “Individual households should shop around and do their homework,” he said.

• Linebacker, $85/year. Covers the cost of repairing or replacing the service line, curb valve, and first shut-off valve, with a $10,000 limit per year.

• Linebacker Complete, $185/year. Linebacker Plan plus in-home plumbing coverage for internal water pipes, connected fittings, and valves but not leaking or broken water fixtures. Service fee/repair is $50 plus up to $2,000 for remaining plumbing repair.

So, how often do water service line leaks occur on private property? I contacted Kerry Martin, assistant to MDC’s CEO, who gave me the data for two north central Connecticut towns that the utility covers. Of course, the MDC won’t know about leaks if homeowners repair them without reporting them.

“Covered repairs” include “as many service calls as you need … to repair or replace a leaking, frozen, or permanently blocked exterior water-service line from your utility’s responsibility … to the water meter or main shut-off valve inside your home damaged due to normal wear and tear not accident or negligence.”

HAMPTON — Several hundred customers of Aquarion Water Company have signed up with Aquarion Services Company, a water company subsidiary, in an insurance program that would pay for repairs to individual water lines on homeowners? property.

The brochure encouraged people to contact their own insurance company, and McNerney noted that his homeowner"s insurance policy covers only part of any such repair work that might need to be addressed.

Michael McNerney"s wife, Lisa, said the issue is about education. "A lot of people don"t realize that the water company"s responsibility goes only to the property line. We didn"t know that," Mrs. McNerney said.

Under the program, all work done must be completed by a company referred contractor. Roberts said that is because the company wants to monitor the work carefully in order to keep insurance premiums down, and so the company has some control over the process.

Roberts said the insurance program "fills the gap between the curb valve where the water company"s responsibility ends and the property owner"s responsibility begins."

Brian Goetz, operations manager at Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, based in North Hampton, said he is aware of the program, but it is not run by the local company. "It provides some coverage over pipes that might be cracked by a deep freeze, settling, age, wear and tear ... it"s voluntary insurance," Goetz said.

A spokesperson at the state Public Utilities Commission said she was not aware of any complaints received at the PUC about the water company. PUC Executive Director Deborah Howland said that Aquarion Services Company does not fall under the PUC"s authority.

Aquarion Services Company is a division of Aquarion Water Company of Bridgeport, Conn. , which owns the local water distributor. ASC is based in Bridgeport, Conn.

One of the fastest-growing insurers and a company with a 50-year history of protecting families, Mercury Insurance. They offer service line protection as an add-on to its home insurance policies. $10,000 of coverage is paired with an affordable $500 deductible to provide coverage for a broad range of service lines, including sewer lines.

This all depends on your provider, but sewer line coverage is often not built into a standard homeowners policy. Some providers do include it, though, and others offer it as an add-on or standalone policy. Some insurers may offer home warranties that include sewer line damage. Check out some of our favorite homeowners insurance policies below to see if they offer sewer line coverage as part of their available products.

Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA), a HomeServe USA company operating out of Pennsylvania, offers protection plans for your home’s heating, cooling, water, sewer, gas, and electrical lines. This company is separate from local utilities, and the service contracts it provides will cover damage to utility lines that home insurance and local municipalities won’t. Keep reading this review to learn more about plans, coverage, and pricing.

Although this company doesn’t offer coverage for individual electrical appliances like refrigerators or freezers, it will cover the main electrical system inside your home.

There does not appear to be any add-on or customizable options with this home warranty company—you may only choose from the warranty plans that the company offers in your location. However, you can purchase packages that combine the company’s heating and cooling plans in some locations.

Note: Service Line Warranties offers discounts in some locations. For example, in this zip code, the company offers the first year of its Exterior Septic/Sewer Line plan for 50% off—it would normally be $12.48 a month. Purchasing a combo plan, if one is available in your area, may also save you money over purchasing both plans separately.

The company will dispatch one of its contractors to repair or replace the faulty part, as long as it’s covered by your plan. There’s no need to pay the technician—you will only need to sign off on the service line repairs, and Service Line Warranties will pay the contractor.

Service Line Warranties of America has been an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for 14 years, and it maintains an A+ rating based on its handling of customer complaints. Despite its rating, Service Line Warranties of America has a mix of positive and negative reviews, as any good home warranty company will have. Here is what some of the company’s customers had to say.

Service Line Warranties of America is the official provider for the National League of Cities Service Line Warranty Program, and the NLC Service Line Warranty Program is administered by SLWA parent, Utility Service Partners, Inc. Service Line Warranties of America and Utility Service Partners are part of HomeServe USA Corp, a company providing home repair solutions in the United States and Canada.

The This Old House Reviews Team gives Service Line Warranties of America a 6.97/10. Service Line Warranties provides coverage for plumbing, sewer, gas, and electric systems and charges low premiums and no service call fees. The maximum caps on repair payouts are high and the claims process is simple. However, the company only covers some of your home’s systems and is available in only a few states.

Our team rated more than 50 home warranty companies and found that American Home Shield is the best on the market. Its extensive plan options, nationwide availability, and five decades of experience make it a worthwhile investment for homeowners.

The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with adetailed rating methodologyto objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.

Just like others say, this is a s****** company. SIX times my home has been flooded because they refuse to fix the problem THEY identified...tree roots in a broken section of pipe. Their idea of fixing it is to snake the pipe out then make you wait until the flooding occurs. Then its same story as last time, you dont need the expensive fix just keep filling your house with stench and water. AVOID at all ..Read Full Review

Just like others say, this is a s****** company. SIX times my home has been flooded because they refuse to fix the problem THEY identified...tree roots in a broken section of pipe. Their idea of fixing it is to snake the pipe out then make you wait until the flooding occurs. Then its same story as last time, you dont need the expensive fix just keep filling your house with stench and water. AVOID at all cost. My next step is court. ..View less

They tried to send 2 out if state companies with 5 day lead time. My main sewer line was clogged and needed excavated for repair. I called my own plumber and got reimbursed $3800 of $7300 not including landscaping and concrete repair. Terrible continuity of phone personnel to manager/dispatchers. I got higher coverage through my homeowners policy and I can call my own contractors.

This company has some very serious issues in their billing department and apparently has taken no steps to correct them. Every monthly bill requires a painful phone call.

I appreciate all the help from SLW. After having back up sewage and a clogged line for years. It is a blessing not having that problem anymore. The plumbing company was prompt in coming out and they explained what was going on and what was needed. The company called back to make sure that the service was completed and Solid plumbing follow up also.

I"ve been with this company since the city of Arlington offered it to homeowners about 5 years ago. I have had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS with their billing department. I"ve been billed odd amounts. My payments haven"t been posted properly, then they have had the nerve to suspend my services!! I"ve spent hours and hours and hours on the phone trying to get things straightened out and STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ..Read Full Review

I"ve been with this company since the city of Arlington offered it to homeowners about 5 years ago. I have had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS with their billing department. I"ve been billed odd amounts. My payments haven"t been posted properly, then they have had the nerve to suspend my services!! I"ve spent hours and hours and hours on the phone trying to get things straightened out and STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS. Their excuses get tiresome. their coverage has been good the two times I"ve used them, but KNOW THAT IT IS AT THEIR CONVENIENCE to get help to you. Their contractors are low budget, slap a temporary fix on it kind of guys, and don"t fix things completely without having to call them back for a second or third trip. A total inconvenience to schedule and budget!!!!. overall, this company SUCKS. I"m in the process of taking my 5 homes away from them. ..View less

My father died and I only wanted to stop the auto pay. Holy Moly! I wasted an hour on the phone talking to complete and total idiots that can only read from a script. I was on the phone for over an hour and never once did anyone ask for documentation or offer any help. Instead what happened was that I was patronized and harassed and placed on hold for 10 to more mins at a time and jerking me around. I then got angry and contacted the BBB, WV attorney General and am fling fraud charges with my bank and changing my bank card. Today, I get a call from this company. I said you had your chance to do the right thing and you choose not to. I am taking action against this company. I can only imagine the hell I would have to go through if something actually happened. I have canceled the plan and will get my money back for the last payment.

I am writing reviews online all over the place to warn people about this terrible company - Unprofessional, patronizing and incapable of completing the most basic of tasks. ..View less

Over and over they send bill for premium that"s already been paid then YOU must take time to call them to make it right and their CS is not that great, this may be the last time I use them. The city of Tulsa should be ashamed to be associated with this clown company.

If i could give 0! They kept billing me an over due bill which I knew I had paid every month. Every time i called they apologized because they just got their new billing system. At one point I had to faxed them my bank statement to show that I had paid them for previous month. AVOID this company!

Until we’re jolted to take notice, most of us forget that the water that flows through our homes and the wastewater that flows out spends time in the area between the street and the front of the house. If something goes wrong with those subterranean pipe systems, the homeowner, not the utility, is responsible. And unlike with leaks inside your home, your homeowners insurance won’t cover the expensive – on average, $2,500 per incident – repairs to water or sewer lines, plus the ensuing landscaping refresh, according to Myles Meehan, senior vice president of public relations at HomeServe USA, a service plan provider.

Every homeowner’s nightmare? You bet, and utility companies have come up with their own solution: They’ll sell you a service plan at a low monthly rate that will cover repairs to and damages from water and sewer lines. (Your utility might also offer plans for power surges, kitchen or laundry appliance failures, water heater replacement, heating and cooling system replacement and more.)

Dominion, the Richmond, Va.-based energy company that services a large part of the East Coast as well as two western states, sells a potpourri of home “warranty” programs, starting at a $1.99 per month. (Prices vary by state. In Virginia, where I live, Dominion charges homeowners $4.99 to $5.99 per month for water line replacement and $5.99 for sewer line repair). Why should homeowners bite?

Many other utilities in the U.S. outsource their insurance-warranty programs to large service providers. One is HomeServe USA, based in Norwalk, Conn., which is partnered with 400 cities, municipalities and utilities serving 2.8 million homeowners, says Meehan. Its service plans are on average $5 per month for water service line coverage and $8 to $10 a month for sewer line coverage.

Alas, sewer line policies may not take effect immediately. James Pecot of Chantilly, Va., noticed a neighbor’s lawn being dug up earlier this spring. The sewer line at that house was clogged and couldn’t be cleared. That’s when Pecot heard about the sewer line insurance being sold by Dominion. He called the company the next day and bought the sewer line warranty, which wouldn’t be effective for 30 days, he was told up front. A week later, the sewer line at the Pecot home failed.

“I called Dominion, and they indicated my coverage was not yet active and we were not covered,” says Pecot. A recommended sewer and plumbing company came out and fixed what turned out to be a cracked pipe that had tree roots growing through it (the plumber said the line could have been cracked 30 years ago, when it was installed). The cost for repairs: $4,700.

But some say homeowners are better off putting that $72 or so per year into a rainy-day fund to cover future unknowns – like when my water heater bit the dust this spring (and I didn’t have a water heater service plan from my utility).

You should also check your homeowners insurance. Most policies don’t automatically cover sewage and drain backups, which can cause expensive damage if water and sewage backs up into your house. It may cost just $50 to add about $10,000 in sewage backup coverage. But that’s for internal work – not for water or sewer line repair outside the home.

Ask about a service-line rider for your policy. Unlike with a service plan from your utility company, you will be able to use your own plumber for the repairs. Then again, you’ll be responsible for dealing with the plumber.

Weeks ago, Aquarion Water Company must have come a’calling—and since I am visitor-proof, they left an urgent notice on our doorknob. By the way, nothing says *urgent* like a white luggage tag on the front door. I was instructed to contact the company immediately regarding a water leak on our property.

Aquarion refused to be ignored, sending a big white van to pay me a visit. They really stepped it up from the white door tag. This time, the dog alerted me to the vehicular presence in the driveway, and that is where I met my fate. I perp-walked out to the technician feeling rather guilty. After a boots-on-the-ground consultation, I was asked a question that no one in New Canaan is prepared to answer in the affirmative: Do you have water line safety valve insurance?

Ummm, no. You mean those silly letters that I throw away every month and say, “Ha, what sucker buys safety valve insurance?” It was made very clear why the insurance is worth the investment and it was painful. All of the sudden, I had become the New Canaan version of Diane Keaton’s character from “Baby Boom,” and was quite literally, drowning in homeownership hell.

That said, I was quoted up to $10,000 if my leak hide-and-seek project was major. This was not what I had bargained for when I threw away all of those safety valve insurance mailers.

Year after year, your water heater serves an important role in your home. Your morning routine just wouldn’t be the same—or nearly as comfortable—without hot water. Yet, water heaters and their components do not last forever. Preventative maintenance is the key to ensuring that your water heater continues to safely provide your home with hot water. In this article, we’ll review a critical safety component of your water heater, the water heater pressure-relief valve.

The name is actually quite literal. It’s a valve that relieves excess pressure in the water heater tank. By doing so, it can prevent excess pressure buildup that has the potential to cause a tank burst and flood your home. It’s an unheralded but essential safety mechanism for your water heater.

As your water heater heats up the water in the tank, the water expands and steam is generated. The greater the heat, the more expansion that occurs. This expansion puts pressure on the exterior walls of the tank, but this is to be expected. Some degree of excess pressure escapes through the water pipes connected to the water heater. In the event that it cannot, the pressure-relief valve triggers. By releasing some of the hot water and air, the valve lowers the pressure back down to safe levels.

If the pressure-relief valve is unable to open, the pressure can continue to build inside of the tank past that 100 PSI ceiling. The heavy metal tank can withstand a lot of pressure buildup, but it eventually has its limits. The results are explosive, as the tank gives way, sending hot water flooding outward.

If your water heater has an emergency shutoff valve installed, the burst will be detected and the water supply will automatically shutoff. If not, you’re potentially looking at a flooded home with significant and costly water damage.

So, what causes the pressure-relief valve to fail? In many cases, the valve gets stuck or frozen in place due to the buildup of rust and corrosion inside the tank. Or, the valve is stuck due to a prior instance in which it released hot water.

A broken valve is something that should be fixed right away, but—unless you’re examining your water heater closely on a regular basis—may not be something most homeowners notice. That’s why regular testing and maintenance is important.

We recommend that homeowners here in Chicago test their pressure-relief valve when they flush out their water heater twice every year. Bundling your water heater maintenance tasks together makes sense, since each of these tasks takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Start by positioning a large bucket underneath the valve. You are going to release some hot water during this process, so you want to make sure you’re wearing safe clothes to reduce a scalding risk. Remove the drain pipe attached to the pressure valve.

Then, gently lift the valve switch so that hot water begins to come out of the valve and into the bucket. For the purposes of this test, don’t push the switch all the way up.

So long as water and air are coming out of the water heater during this test, your water heater pressure-relief valve is working as intended. On the other hand, if you’ve flipped the switch up and you’re not seeing any release, that could indicate a problem with the valve.

Did you know that most people use between 80 and 100 gallons of water every day? From using the restroom and showering to cooking and cleaning, your water usage is a crucial part of your daily home routine. Here are just a few daily tasks most homeowners do without thinking, and the corresponding amount of water it takes to complete them: Flushing a toilet: 1-3 gallons per flush

Your water pressure is likely too low. This can be an annoying setback for many homeowners, who depend on high water pressure to shower, clean, cook, and more. How can you properly shower or wash your hands when only a few drops are coming out of the faucet?

Low water pressure is usually just a nuisance to homeowners and doesn’t pose a serious problem. High water pressure, on the other hand, can damage fixtures, seals, joints, and more. Water pressure that’s too high can also waste a lot of water in the home, leaving you with a higher utility bill at the end of the month.

This goes without saying, but if you’re not comfortable flushing your water heater or checking the valve, don’t just ignore this crucial maintenance need. Give our team a call and have us out to your home to perform this service for you. Remember, this preventative maintenance can help prevent a tank burst and major water damage.

Smart home devices are becoming a common fixture in homes across the country. But smart devices aren"t just for turning off lights and making playlists. In combination with a home insurance policy, they can also save homeowners some cash while increasing home safety. However, smart device discounts are usually minimal compared to the overall cost of home insurance.

Perhaps more importantly, homeowners can get larger discounts for centrally monitored security systems, meaning you are often better off installing traditional centralized alarm systems than purchasing smart devices.

Although some programs are not worth the investment if you"re simply looking to save money on homeowners insurance, they are still worth considering if you"re in the market for a smart home or security system for other reasons.

Homeowners insurance discounts for smart home devices range from one company to the next. Allstate offers customers up to a 5% discount on their premium when using a Canary theft-protection system, while Hippo offers up to 13% off, depending on the type of system you choose.

Many homeowners insurance companies don"t publicize the exact amount you"ll save by purchasing a smart home device. This is partially because the size of your discount is dependent on how risks are weighted for your individual home. If you live in Florida and nonhurricane risks represent a small share of your overall premium, your discounts from smart devices will be fairly small.

Liberty Mutual offers to double your smart home discount if you allow the company to verify your home monitoring system by communicating with your provider and occasionally receiving data on your system.

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In the hopes of increasing customer safety and lowering the risk that policyholders will make claims, these insurers are offering discounts and deals on devices that help maintain a safer home:

With the $20 savings, a Canary premium service plan would cost $79 per year for a single device. Based on the average home insurance premium, homeowners can save $84 per year on an Allstate policy. At a $5-per-year net savings for the base package, this program is worth it if you"re planning to invest in security cameras.

AmFam does not list the amount you"ll save with its Safe, Secure, Smart Home Discount. However, the Hedge system does not have a monthly fee, and based on the cost of its equipment packages, you will probably save enough on your homeowners insurance within the first two years to make this investment worth it.

The ADT monitoring system discounts are probably not worth the investment. Basic monitoring packages with ADT start around $336 per year, and homeowners are required to sign a 36-month contract that includes early termination fees. Even without knowing how much you"ll save, it"s not likely you"ll earn a large enough discount on your home insurance to cover the cost of this system.

Amica Mutual offers homeowners a 20% discount on Flo by Moen whole home protection systems, which monitor water flow, pressure and temperature and automatically shut off the water to your home in the event of a catastrophic leak. Flo by Moen systems start at $499. Amica also offers a home insurance discount when the system is installed.

Because the systems are so expensive, homeowners aren"t likely to recoup the cost of a Flo by Moen water shutoff valve with the discount Amica provides on your home insurance rate, which varies by state. However, this system could be worth it if you live in a home with older plumbing, as it has the potential to save you a lot of money by preventing significant water damage.

Hippo is partnered with multiple smart home monitoring systems, including SimpliSafe, Kangaroo and Notion. The company offers up to 10% savings on your annual premium for self-monitored systems and up to 13% savings when you purchase a professionally monitored system from SimpliSafe.

Liberty Mutual customers can save $100 on select Vivint home monitoring devices. The company also offers a verified smart home discount, which it states will double your home monitoring system discount. In return, customers must allow Liberty Mutual to verify their home monitoring system with the provider and periodically receive data on the system.

Liberty Mutual doesn"t share the amount of its smart home discount. However, given that homeowners have to purchase a minimum of $600 in equipment from Vivint, along with professional installation and a service agreement, this program is probably not worth it.

Nationwide has partnered with the Notion Smart Home Monitoring System to provide homeowners with nearly 50% off of the price of a Notion kit and an average savings of $50 per year on their home insurance. Notion sensors monitor water leaks, temperature changes, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and the opening and closing of doors and windows, and kits start at $75 for Nationwide customers.

The Notion system is self-monitored, so there are no monthly recurring fees. Homeowners that save $50 per year on insurance can expect to recoup the cost of Notion hardware in one to two years, making this program worth it for those in the market for a DIY security system.

State Farm offers homeowners a free Ting smart plug, which monitors your home’s electrical network for damaged wires, faulty devices or loose connections that can lead to fires, along with three years of monitoring at no additional cost. Your Ting subscription also includes repair coordination and a $1,000 hazard repair credit. Installing a Ting device may also qualify you for an additional home insurance discount.

The SimpliSafe system may be worth it if you are already in the market for a self-monitored system. ADT"s costs are too high to be offset by a homeowners insurance security discount.

The prevalence of smart devices in the home has raised concerns about data privacy and the extent to which the devices may be recording a homeowner"s private information, known or unbeknownst to them. Consumers who have smart devices in their residence may be vulnerable to their data being compromised, both directly from their devices and from insurance companies that collect and store their data.

For instance, a Florida insurance filing for First Community Insurance states that if its customers receive a discount for a home telematics advice, they "consent to the release of all data and/or information produced, monitored, obtained and/or captured by such device(s), by the devices’ third-party provider to the insurance company." Unwittingly, homeowners seeking a discount may be sharing sensitive data with their insurer.

Self-monitored security camera systems can lower your home insurance costs, although the discount depends on the company. Allstate offers a discount of up to 5% to homeowners who install the Canary camera system, while

Corporation stop—The corporation stop is connected to the water main. This connection is usually made of brass and can be connected to the main with a special tool without shutting off the municipal supply. The valve incorporated in the corporation stop permits the pressure to be maintained in the main while the service to the building is completed.

Curb stop—The curb stop is a similar valve used to isolate the building from the main for repairs, nonpayment, of water bills or flooded basements. Because the corporation stop is usually under the street and it is necessary to break the pavement to reach the valve, the curb stop is used as the isolation valve.

Curb stop box—The curb stop box is an access box to the curb stop for opening and closing the valve. A long-handled wrench is used to reach the valve.

Meter stop—The meter stop is a valve placed on the street side of the water meter to isolate it for installation or maintenance. Many codes require a gate valve on the house side of the meter to shut off water for plumbing repairs. The curb and meter stops can be ruined in a short time if used very frequently.

The water meter is a device used to measure the amount of water used in the house. It is usually the property of the water provider and is a very delicate instrument that should not be abused. In cold climates, the water meter is often inside the home to keep it from freezing. When the meter is located inside the home, the company providing the water must make appointments to read the meter, which often results in higher water costs unless the meter is equipped with a signal that can be observed from the outside. The water meter is not shown in

The supply mains should have a drain valve stop and waste valve to remove water from the system for repairs. These valves should be on the low end of the line or on the end of each fixture riser.

Copper lasts a long time, is durable, and connects well to valves. It should not be installed if the water has a pH of 6.5 or less. Most public utilities supply water at a pH between 7.2 and 8.0. Many utilities that have source water with a pH below 6.5 treat the water to raise the pH. Private well water systems often have a pH below 6.5. When this is the case, installing a treatment system to make the water less acidic is a good idea [5].

Galvanized Steel. Galvanized pipe corrodes rather easily. The typical life of this piping is about 40 years. One of the primary problems with galvanized steel is that, in saturated water, the pipe will become severely restricted by corrosion that eventually fills the pipe completely. Another problem is that the mismatch of metals between the brass valves and the steel results in corrosion. Whenever steel pipe meets copper or brass, the steel pipe will rapidly corrode. Dielectric unions can be used between copper and steel pipes; however, these unions will close off flow in a short time. The problem with dielectric unions is that they break the grounding effect if a live electrical wire comes in contact with a pipe. Some cities require the two pipes to be bonded electrically to maintain the safety of grounded pipes.

A tap-water temperature of 120ºF–130ºF (49ºC–54ºC) is hot enough for washing clothes, bedding, and dishes. Even at 130ºF (54ºC), water takes only a few minutes of constant contact to produce a third-degree burn. Few people bathe at temperatures above 110ºF (43ºC), nor should they. Water heater thermostats should be set at about 120ºF (49ºC) for safety and to save 18% of the energy used at 140ºF (60ºC). Antiscald devices for faucets and showerheads to regulate water temperature can help prevent burns. A plumber should install and calibrate these devices. Most hot water tank installations now require an expansion tank to reduce pressure fluctuations and a heat trap to keep hot water from escaping up pipes.

It is essential that valves be used in a water system to allow the system to be controlled in a safe and efficient manner. The number, type, and size of valves required will depend on the size and complexity of the system. Most valves can be purchased in sizes and types to match the pipe sizes used in water system installations. Listed below are some of the more commonly encountered valves with a description of their basic functions.

Shutoff Valves. Shutoff valves should be installed between the pump and the pressure tank and between the pressure tank and service entry to a building. Globe, gate, and ball valves are common shutoff valves. Gate and ball valves cause less friction loss than do globe valves; ball valves last longer and leak less than do gate valves. Shutoff valves allow servicing of parts of the system without draining the entire system.

Flow-control Valves. Flow-control valves provide uniform flow at varying pressures. They are sometimes needed to regulate or limit the use of water because of limited water flow from low-yielding wells or an inadequate pumping system. They also may be needed with some treatment equipment. These valves are often used to limit flow to a fixture. Orifices, mechanical valves, or diaphragm valves are used to restrict the flow to any one service line or complete system and to assure a minimum flow rate to all outlets.

Relief Valves. Relief valves permit water or air to escape from the system to relieve excess pressure. They are spring-controlled and are usually adjustable to relieve varying pressures, generally above 60 psi. Relief valves should be installed in systems that may develop pressures exceeding the rated limits of the pressure tank or distribution system. Positive displacement and submersible pumps and water heaters can develop these excessive pressures. The relief valve should be installed between the pump and the first shutoff valve and must be capable of discharging the flow rate of the pump. A combined pressure and temperature relief valve is needed on all water heaters. Combination pressure and vacuum relief valves also should be installed to prevent vacuum damage to the system.

Pressure-reducing Valves. A pressure-reducing valve is used to reduce line pressure. On main lines, this allows the use of thinner walled pipe and protects house plumbing. Sometimes these valves are installed on individual services to protect plumbing.

Altitude Valves. Often an altitude valve is installed at the base of a hot water tank to prevent it from overflowing. Altitude valves sense the tank level through a pressure line to the tank. An adjustable spring allows setting the level so that the valve closes and prevents more inflow when the tank becomes full.

Foot Valves. A foot valve is a special type of check valve installed at the end of a suction pipe or below the jet in a well to prevent backflow and loss of prime. The valve should be of good quality and cause little friction loss.

Check Valves. Check valves have a function similar to foot valves. They permit water flow in only one direction through a pipe. A submersible pump may use several check valves. One is located at the top of the pump to prevent backflow from causing back spin of the impellers. Some systems use another check valve and a snifter valve. They will be in the drop pipe or pitless unit in the well casing and allow a weep hole located between the two valves to drain part of the pipe. When the pump is started, it will force the air from the drained part of the pipe into the pressure tank, thus recharging the pressure tank.

Frost-proof Faucets. Frost-proof faucets are installed outside a house with the shutoff valve extending into the heated house to prevent freezing. After each use, the water between the valve and outlet drains, provided the hose is disconnected, so water is not left to freeze.

Frost-proof Hydrants. Frost-proof hydrants make outdoor water service possible during cold weather without the danger of freezing. The shutoff valve is buried below the frost line. To avoid submerging it, which might result in contamination and back siphoning, the stop-and-waste valve must drain freely into a rock bed. These hydrants are sometimes prohibited by local or state health authorities.

A properly installed T&P valve will operate when either the temperature or the pressure becomes too high due to an interruption of the water supply or a faulty thermostat.

A tankless unit has a heating device that is activated by the flow of water when a hot water valve is opened. Once activated, the heater delivers a constant supply of hot water. The output of the heater, however, limits the rate of the heated water flow. Demand water heaters are available in propane (LP), natural gas, or electric models. They come in a variety of sizes for different applications, such as a whole-house water heater, a hot water source for a remote bathroom or hot tub, or as a boiler to provide hot water for a home heating system. They can also be used as a booster for dishwashers, washing machines, and a solar or wood-fired domestic hot water system [7].

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safety hazard information bulletin on the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe in above ground installations. Washington, DC: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; 1988. http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.htmlExternal.

A home warranty can be a great way to help defray unexpected costs and protect your new investment as a homeowner. But it’s important to clearly understand a home warranty’s function and what it typically covers.

A home warranty is different from homeowners insurance, and it can help pay for those unexpected things that may come up after the purchase of a home. Homes, like most things, are subject to regular wear and tear over time. Unfortunately, household problems can quickly add up to large expenses that can’t be put off.

This is where a home warranty can make a big difference. Unlike what home insurance covers, home warranties cover the systems and appliances in your home—like plumbing or air conditioning—rather than the structure or your personal possessions. You can think of a home warranty as system and appliance insurance that helps provide new homeowners extra peace of mind, particularly if you purchase a home that"s several years old.

However, if you are concerned about the garage door or simply want to replace it for aesthetic reasons, look to your homeowners insurance or plan to pay out of pocket.

Some contracts may allow for repairs to windows that threaten the integrity of the rest of your home, but window and door issues usually fall under homeowners insurance.

Outdoor plumbing—including sprinklers, faucets, and valves—is most likely excluded from a home warranty. While these systems contribute to the curb appeal of your home, they aren’t part of its internal systems.

Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past eight. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime reports and spotting trends. Her safety expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more.