As a homeowner, you are responsible for repairs to water or wastewater (sewer) pipes on your property. Water or wastewater lines on public property are the responsibility of the County.
Periodically HomeServe sends a letter to residents about insurance for pipes on private property. Here are some common questions regarding homeowner responsibilities and insurance.
Yes. Homeowners are responsible for repairs that are between the house and property line. Strathcona County will work with the homeowner to identify the problem, determine where the repair is located and provide options to repair the pipe. We have programs in place for reoccurring problems, such as sewer backups.
No. However, insurance is a way for residents to protect themselves from unforeseeable repair costs.
It is up to the homeowner to make this choice.
As with any insurance product, customers should review insurance offers thoroughly to determine if that insurance plan is right for them.
Strathcona County Utilities department supplies water to many customers in the County, including Sherwood Park, rural hamlets, and country residents.
EPCOR has an agreement with HomeServe that enables HomeServe to offer Albertans optional emergency repair insurance. EPCOR's goal in this initiative is to raise awareness about homeowner responsibilities. EPCOR offers this initiative as an option for homeowners to be prepared in the event that an emergency home repair is needed; however, it is simply an option and homeowners do not have to sign up for this service if they so choose.
If you have further questions about the program, contact Homeserve at 1-855-441-1396.
Strathcona County Utilities is not affiliated with, nor endorses any insurance offer to provide this service.
Insulate the outside lines: wrap any water lines near outer walls or doors with insulation. You can wrap your exterior water lines with heat tape to help prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the water flowing: frequently drawing water from the tap may prevent freezing because it creates a regular flow of water. Running water through the pipe—even a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Turn off outdoor hoses: double check your outside hose faucet to ensure they're closed off; if they freeze, they can burst and may cause water to drain into your home.
Ask your house sitter to run the water: if you are going away on vacation, ask the person who is checking in at your home to run the taps as running water through the lines in cold weather makes it less likely that they'll freeze.
Last updated: Wednesday, May 06, 2020 Page ID: 38823