Second home on the coast
A flat or house that stands empty for months needs different care from a home that is always occupied. Frost, standing water and a leak nobody notices are the three things that cause the most damage on the coast.
- 1
Why frost causes more damage here than elsewhere
A pipe does not burst during the first frost but during the thaw that follows: the ice expands, the pipe splits, and the water only escapes once it warms up again. In an occupied home someone hears that within the hour. In a flat in Koksijde-Bad or De Panne that stands empty from October to April, the water runs for weeks before anyone notices. That is the difference between an hour of repair work and an insurance claim covering floors, ceilings and sometimes the neighbours below. Shutting off the water and draining the pipes takes half an hour and removes that risk entirely.
- 2
How it works in practice
In autumn I shut off the water, drain the pipes and set the heating to frost protection. In spring, before you arrive, I turn everything back on, flush the water heater and check the installation. You walk into a home that works instead of losing a day to it. If something happens while you are in Brussels or London, I go round, sort it out and send you photos of what happened. By arrangement I keep a key, so nobody has to travel over for a half-hour job.
- 3
Winterising
Shutting off the water, draining the pipework and setting the heating to frost protection before you close up for the season. A burst pipe in an empty flat is only found months later, and the damage is never small.
- 4
Check on arrival
Turning the water back on before you arrive, checking the system and flushing the water heater. You walk into a home that works.
- 5
Intervention while you are away
Neighbours or the building manager report water damage while you are in Brussels? Sebastien goes round, sorts it out and sends you photos of what was done.
- 6
Key holding
By arrangement Sebastien keeps a key, so nobody has to travel over for a half-hour job.
Ask how this works for your property
Call for an urgent repair, or send your question for a no-obligation quote.