Home maintenance: the right reflexes to avoid accidents, season by seasion
- Lux-Assurances
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
As specialists in home insurance in Luxembourg, we know that many accidents can be avoided by regular maintenance of your home. Preventing risks means protecting your home... and your home insurance!
Leaks, infiltrations, domestic fires, water damage or heating breakdowns... These unforeseen events are expensive, cause stress, and can affect your compensation if the proper upkeep of your home is deemed negligent. That's why we've put together this practical guide to home maintenance, season by season, to help you prevent accidents and keep your home safe.
Spring : inspection after winter
Winters in Luxembourg can leave invisible scars. Spring is the ideal time to carry out a full inspection of your home.
What to do in spring:
Check your roof for displaced tiles, cracks or moss,
Remove leaves and debris from gutters to prevent blockages,
Check the condition of your seals: they should not be crumbling, peeling or mouldy,
If you have solar panels, check that they are clean and in good condition,
For your air extraction system, clean the filters and check the air vents,
Take a look at the facade and external joinery, check for leaks and cracks, and treat or repaint if necessary.
ℹ︎ Tip: to check that your ventilation is still efficient, try the ‘toilet paper test’. Place it over the air vent and if it sticks, your air extraction system is working properly. If the paper doesn't stick or barely sticks, it's time to make a few adjustments.
Summer: be vigilant during thunderstorms and heatwaves
The summer months expose your home to specific risks: violent storms, high temperatures, accidental fires, etc.
Best practice for the summer:
Secure garden equipment (awning, parasol, barbecue),
Maintain your air conditioning by cleaning and checking the circuit,
Check and clean shutters and windows, and lubricate hinges if necessary,
Call in a chimney sweep to maintain your chimney or stove,
Check light bulbs and electrical sockets, inside and out,
Clean or replace your kitchen hood filters.
Autumn: prepare for winter and frost
This is the time to prepare your home for the cold, optimise insulation and check your heating systems.
Don't forget:
Have your boiler serviced by an approved professional,
Prune any trees near your roof or power lines,
Bleed radiators and check thermostats,
Caulk any openings,
Clean gutters a second time after leaves have fallen,
Drain outside pipes and protect taps.
A well-maintained home also means savings on bills!
Winter : home security and energy savings
In Luxembourg's cold, wet winters, your home is put under extra strain. So it's essential to protect your installations and keep an eye on your electricity consumption and sensitive equipment.
Useful tips :
Protect your pipes from freezing,
Ventilate regularly to combat damp,
Avoid overloading power strips (auxiliary heating, decorations...),
Dust and clean household appliances that could cause fires,
Test alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries,
ℹ︎ Important : in the event of water damage caused by a pipe that is not protected against frost, your compensation may not be complete.
Why is home maintenance essential for your home insurance?
In Luxembourg, your home insurance policy protects your home against various types of damage, but it is also based on a fundamental principle: prevention. Failure to maintain your home could result in a refusal of cover or partial compensation.
At Foyer, we advise all our customers to document their maintenance work (invoices, photos, certificates) to make it easier to deal with, in case of damage.
Need advice on your home insurance policy?
At Foyer Lux-Assurances, we can help you find the best cover for your home and your needs. Contact an advisor to review your cover, your guarantees and the preventive measures you should take at home.