Home & Living
Prevention
Extended freezing conditions are a major challenge for your home. When temperatures stay below zero for several consecutive days, water sitting in pipes can freeze causing pipes to burst and occasionally causing considerable damage.
Areas with low or no heating such as cellars, spare bedrooms, garages or garden sheds are particularly at risk. External taps are also among the sensitive points. If the electricity is turned off, the danger increases: without heating or water circulation, the pipework soon becomes vulnerable.
Damage often only becomes visible at the point when it thaws at which point it is already too late. Nonetheless, getting into good habits helps you to reduce the risks considerably.
Preventative measures
- 1. Drain external pipes: Pipes located in unheated rooms, along external walls or in the garden should be shut off and drained completely before winter. All residual water should be evacuated.
- 2. Insulate pipes: Visible pipes can be protected effectively using suitable insulation material, especially in cellars, garages or garden sheds. Attention: insulation alone will not be sufficient if water is left sitting in pipes.
- 3. Check the air tightness of your property: Poorly insulated doors, windows or skylights should be sealed to avoid any cold air coming in near to pipes.
- 4. Locate the stopcock: Every occupant in the property should know where the main water supply point is so that they can turn off the water quickly when needed.
Measures to take in freezing weather
- 5. Keep the heating on continuously: Even rooms that are not used frequently, should be heated constantly. Prevent temperatures near to 0 °C.
- 6. Don't rely on the “frost protection” setting: The frost protection function on radiators primarily protects the device itself, but not necessarily all of the pipes. It is advisable to put radiators on a medium setting.
- 7. Keep cellar windows closed: Windows in cellars or unheated rooms should be kept closed during winter months to prevent cold air from coming in.
- 8. Check unoccupied dwellings: In the event of an extended absence, the heating must not be turned off. Regular visits by a relative, friend or manager are strongly advised.
In case of risk or damage
- 9. Never use naked flames: Frozen pipes must not, under any circumstances, be thawed using a naked flame or a device that produces intense heat. There is a considerable fire risk. Call in a professional.
- 10. Report the damage quickly: If a pipe has burst, turn off the water supply immediately, turn off the electricity, if necessary, take photos of the damage and contact your LALUX agent without delay.
What insurance covers damage from freezing?
Despite all of these precautions and regular maintenance of your installations, it is still possible that a pipe will burst in freezing conditions, which can cause water damage. With easyPROTECT Home, water damage to the building (walls, floors, ceilings) as well as your movable goods (furniture, wall and floor coverings, electrical devices) are covered.
Important to know: The cover applies as long as you have taken reasonable care of your home. For example, if your heating breaks down while you are on holiday, causing your pipes to freeze, you are insured. However, the guarantee does not apply if there is evident negligence, such as leaving a dwelling unoccupied, without heating for a long winter period, without suitable protection measures.
In a flat or apartment, the difference depends on the statute. The owner insures the building, whereas the tenant insures the contents and, where applicable, takes out tenant’s liability insurance. Consequently, any damage to the building is generally covered by the owner’s insurance, whereas damage to contents is covered by the tenant’s insurance.
Personalised support
If you have any questions about your contract or if you’d like to check that your home is properly insured for the risks associated with freezing temperatures, don't hesitate to contact your LALUX agent who will be happy to advise you.
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