In the first nine months of last year, water and frost damage to Norwegian cabins cost NOK 366 million to repair.
In 2010, this entire house in Bergen was covered in icicles after a water pipe burst in the cold. Photo: Marianne Nilsen (archive) Published: Published:
Less than 30 minutes ago
The cold period we are in can quickly become expensive.
– The best tip now is to prevent frost damage to the cabin. We fear that expensive electricity will contribute to more frostbite, says communications advisor Torbjørn Brandeggen at the insurance company Tryg.
In 2023, the insurance industry estimates that there were approximately 7,500 water and frost damage to holiday homes in this country.
These are estimated to cost NOK 468 million to repair or replace.
1
What must cabin owners do now?
Photo: Shutterstock, Tryg Forsikring
– Make sure it is warm enough in the cabin. Water damage can be quite a bit more expensive than electricity. I recommend 15–20 degrees in the cabin at all times. And a minimum of 10 degrees. But then you should turn off the water before you leave. Empty pipes and open all taps, says general manager John Henry at Voss Rørleggerservice in Voss.
In new cabins, water often passes through rooms that do not have water in them, and which you therefore do not think about as being affected by water damage.
2
Are cabin owners taking unnecessary risks to save on electricity?
Photo: Eirik Brekke (archive)
– I feel that some people might do that. Normally it goes well. But during Christmas there were places here at Voss that were without electricity for several days. Then it doesn’t help what precautions you have taken, says Henry.
His tip is to ask the plumber to insulate extra well in the room where the main tap is.
3
What’s the worst injury you’ve heard of?
Photo: Shutterstock, Tryg Forsikring
– Last year it was a woman who called who did not enter the holiday home which had been empty for a long time. She couldn’t open the door. The water was clean from the second to the first floor, and froze to ice, says the plumber.
4
How hot must it be in the cabin for the insurance to apply?
Photo: Bjørn Erik Larsen (archive)
– There is no set limit. The point is that it must not be so cold that the water freezes. If the cabin is unoccupied in winter, it is an absolute requirement with us that the water is turned off and that the water pipes are emptied. If you are negligent, it can lead to you not getting full compensation, says Torbjørn Brandeggen in Tryg.
5
Are there many cabin owners reporting damage now?
Photo: Shutterstock, Tryg Forsikring
– Not many people call in now when the water freezes to ice. You don’t know about that if you’re not at the cabin. The pipes don’t burst until it gets to plus degrees and the ice melts. Then it flows until someone comes and discovers it, says Brandeggen.
6
What else can you do to make sure?
Photo: Bjørn Erik Larsen (archive)
– Empty antifreeze in the toilet, in the drain in the shower and in other places where water may remain. We recommend a maintenance temperature of at least 10 degrees. Follow up if there is a power outage. Turn off the water intake to the cabin. Keep doors inside the cabin open, so that there is circulation of the air in the room where the water pipes are, says Brandeggen.
Published:
Published: January 6, 2024 1:49 p.m
Updated: January 6, 2024 2:03 p.m
2024-01-06 12:49:34
#Fears #cabins #damaged #people #save #electricity
