Are Gas Lines Covered by Home Warranties? A Guide to Coverage

Home warranties can and do cover gas lines and gas leaks! Of course, gas line breaks and leaks can be dangerous, so you may wonder, "How does a home warranty cover gas lines? This guide walks you through what’s covered in home gas line warranty plans. You’ll also find important details on upgrades and coverage limitations.

A majority of U.S. homes use natural gas to power at least one appliance or system. It’s commonly used for heating, cooking, water heaters, and in some homes, also for powering clothes dryers using natural gas. And, of course, many American houses, especially newer homes, also have gas fireplaces.

Why Protect Your Home’s Budget from Gas Line Repairs?

If you’re using natural gas in your home, you are on the hook for having gas line issues repaired. Your responsibility typically begins at the meter outside your house and extends to any gas lines that run into and under your home. (Your local utility is responsible for repairs when there is a gas line issue beyond the meter away from your home.)

For safety reasons, if you have an issue with a gas system or appliance, it is not recommended that you try to fix it yourself. Repairs of a gas line problem or a gas leak should be addressed by a licensed plumber. It may seem counterintuitive that a gas leak is a plumbing issue, but plumbers are the most qualified professionals to fix pipes, and gas lines are part of your home's piping system. (That’s also why First American Home Warranty includes gas line warranty coverage as part of plumbing coverage.)

Like most homeowners, you’ve inevitably experienced a costly repair bill for leaky plumbing or pipes — and perhaps more than once. So, it’s easy to imagine that repairs to a leaky gas line will also be expensive. According to HomeGuides, the cost range for basic gas leak repairs is between $150 to $500.* If the repair is extensive, you may be looking at a bill upwards of $1,500 or more. But you can help protect your budget with a home gas line warranty that covers the lines in your home (and avoid spending time finding a plumber).

What Does a Home Warranty Cover for Gas Lines?

A First American home warranty gas line plan can cover the repair and replacement of gas leaks and breaks to your home’s lines, such as a:

• Gas supply line that cracks and leaks due to corrosion
• Gas line fitting that wears out over time and starts to leak

First American typically replaces a covered section of pipe when it fails, as well as worn-out or failed gas line fittings. Provided that the plumber can access the gas line needing replacement, we’ll cover it.*

Gas Line Options and Upgrades

Some gas line repairs cost more because the lines are hard to reach, such as when they’re buried in concrete. You can extend your home warranty coverage to help protect against these scenarios. A gas line can also fail for other reasons, such as improper installation. Add-on coverage can also help protect against issues due to improper modifications or installations.

New home buyers can add Plumbing Plus coverage to home warranty plans purchased before, during, or just after their closings. This upgrade can help cover gas lines outside the house (including shifting or cracked gas lines caused by tree root damage), as well as repairs in or under the concrete foundation.

What’s Not Covered by Home Gas Line Warranties?

Do home warranties cover gas line damage? Unfortunately, not. Examples of when a repair is not covered include:

• Gas lines that are not easily accessible, such as those under concrete.
• An external force damages the gas lines.

It is possible that some types of gas line damage could be covered by your homeowners insurance.

How Does Gas Line Warranty Coverage Work?

Our plumbing coverage – included in all First American home warranty plans – covers repair and replacement costs for leaks and breaks in your home's gas lines when they fail due to normal wear and tear. Our plans protect home gas supply and branch lines – the professional term for gas lines used in homes – including the line that leads up to a gas fireplace. Coverage can protect not only your budget but also the gas appliances and other systems in your home.

You can find more details about our home warranties, how our gas line and gas leak coverage work, and the many other household appliances and systems we protect.

Leave Gas Line Maintenance to Home Warranty Pros

Homeowners should not attempt any kind of maintenance on the gas line and should avoid working with any dangerous leaks or damage to a home’s branch lines. The branch systems in homes are complex, and even maintaining them requires expert knowledge, so repairs to leaks should be performed by professionals.

And remember, any damage or leak to your home’s gas lines could result in serious health and safety risks and could even be fatal. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call your local utility. If you suspect damage or a gas line issue and are comfortable turning off the main gas shutoff valve, do so, but do not delay in requesting service from your home gas line warranty provider.

Gas lines are essential to the daily function of systems and appliances in most homes. If you have home warranty coverage, be sure to contact First American or submit a repair request online 24/7. The next section explains how our service process works.

How to Request Home Warranty Service for Gas Line Repairs

A First American home warranty helps cover repairs and replacements. It is a simple process to get your covered gas line evaluated and fixed.

1. Sign in to your account or call 855.524.8134 to submit a service request.
2. We'll assign a prescreened service technician to diagnose and fix the problem.
3. If we can't fix it, we'll replace it!**

Learn more about the value of home warranty coverage protecting so many of your home’s systems and appliances, and get a free quote today.

FAQs About Gas Line Home Warranty Coverage

How does a home warranty cover gas lines?

When a gas line breaks or leaks, a First American home warranty helps cover the repair and replacement of lines when they fail due to normal wear and tear.

Can a home warranty cover gas line repairs encased in concrete?

Yes. First American's Plumbing Plus upgrade extends coverage to gas lines encased in or under concrete foundations, with coverage up to $2,500.** This optional upgrade is available for homebuyers and can be added before, during, or after closing.

How do gas lines connect to your home?

The gas service line powering your appliances begins its journey via a larger main pipeline that feeds into the service line connected to your home. That service line then connects to supply lines underneath your home. Those supply lines run to drop lines, which connect to the hookups for appliances, home systems, and sometimes, to a fireplace or two as well.

What type of material is used for interior gas lines?

Metal is the primary material used for interior (home) gas pipes, due to its durability. If you know which type of material your home’s gas supply and branch lines are made of, you can be more prepared, as some materials are more prone to issues and leaks than others. Here are some basic details about each material used in gas lines:

• Black iron: Black-coated steel that is the most common type used in homes today
• Galvanized steel: While no longer used in new construction, it can be found in older homes
• Flexible corrugated stainless steel (CSST): Used mainly in tight spaces because of its flexibility, it’s not durable enough for exterior piping
• Copper: Not recommended and in limited use, but may still be found in older homes

*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members. Items listed may be optional or not available on some home warranty plans; please review the sample contract for specific coverage, terms and limitations.

**If we can’t repair an item, we will replace it. Please read your contract for specific coverage and limitations.