There is no specific law on chimney sweeping in Luxembourg. Each municipality indicates in its general police regulations whether chimney sweeping is mandatory. For example, for the city of Luxembourg, the regulations specify that “Owners are required to always maintain chimneys in good condition. It is forbidden to use chimneys that present fire hazards for any reason whatsoever. Chimneys of fireplaces using solid fuels must be swept at least every year. Other chimneys must be inspected and, if necessary, cleaned at least every 3 years.”
Chimney sweeping helps prevent the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is recommended to have the flues cleaned by a professional chimney sweep who will give you a chimney sweeping certificate, an essential document for your insurance in the event of a claim.
The recommended frequency is at least once a year for gas boilers and twice a year for wood stoves.
Boiler maintenance
The boiler must be checked annually and legally it must also be inspected to check efficiency and emissions:
- Every 2 years for:
- Wood heaters and stoves connected to the heating circuit.
- Oil boilers.
- Every 4 years for gas boilers.
The inspection must be carried out by an authorised heating engineer, who will provide you with a certificate valid for 2 or 4 years, depending on your boiler.
Maintenance and inspection will help detect potential gas leaks and reduce domestic accidents. It also prevents breakdowns and extends the life of your boiler.
If you are a tenant, you are required to carry out this maintenance.
- Check the condition of exposed electrical cables for signs of wear or stripping.
- Test the correct operation of the differential circuit breakers once a month by pressing their test button.
- Dust electrical panels regularly to prevent the risk of overheating.
- Limit the use of cascading power strips which can cause circuit overload.
- Examine the condition of the wall sockets: no black marks or suspicious deformation.
Signs of wear to look for
Electrical installations often show warning signs of malfunction. You can easily detect some of them:
- Wall sockets turning black.
- Unusual buzzing noise near the electrical panel.
- Burning or hot plastic smells around electrical appliances.
- Light bulbs that frequently burn out or flicker abnormally.
- Circuit breaker that trips regularly for no apparent reason.
- Cables that show signs of overheating or have frayed sheathing.
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All these signs require the intervention of a specialist or an upgrade to the current standards in order to avoid any electrical short circuit.
Solar panel maintenance
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Regular maintenance of your solar panels is essential to ensure their performance and extend their lifespan as much as possible. Ideally, you should:
- Perform a visual inspection every 6 to 12 months.
- Check for cleanliness, absence of cracks, stability of fixings and condition of wiring.
- Perform an annual electrical check.
- Monitor performance via the inverter or a monitoring system.
- Test the protections (circuit breakers, surge arresters) and check the grounding.
- Monitor performance regularly.
- Compare energy production to forecasts and detect any abnormal drops.
- Perform preventive maintenance every 2 to 5 years.
- Replace aging components (inverters, batteries).
- Check the tightness and condition of the safety devices.
- Call in a professional every 3 to 5 years.
- Complete audit with infrared thermography and in-depth electrical testing.
- Professional cleaning if necessary.
- Document interventions to facilitate monitoring and to be able to call on insurance if necessary.
Regularly maintaining your plumbing allows you to anticipate problems before they turn into costly damage. Check the condition of the seals around the sanitary installations once a month and replace them at the first signs of wear.
Clean your drains and pipes regularly with suitable products to prevent blockages. For showers and bathtubs, install hair filters which will limit the accumulation of debris in the pipes.
Remember to turn the stopcocks every three months to prevent them from seizing up. A simple test is to check your water meter after two hours of non-use: if it is turning, there is likely a leak somewhere in your system.
Regular monitoring of exterior walls allows for early detection of cracks. A careful examination in the spring, when the light is optimal, makes it easier to spot the smallest cracks.
Pay particular attention to sensitive areas, such as window corners or junctions between different materials. Measure the width of the cracks: beyond 2 mm or if they go right through the wall, contact an expert quickly. Document their evolution with dated photos.
Also remember to check the condition of the seals around the openings. Cracks in these areas can indicate structural problems that require professional intervention.
Seal control
Regular inspection of façade joints is an essential maintenance task. A weakened joint allows moisture to penetrate into the walls, creating damage that worsens over time. Check areas exposed to the elements in particular.
Preventive repointing, carried out by a professional at the first signs of wear, will save you from having to carry out more extensive work on your façade.
Garden maintenance
A well-maintained garden contributes to the security of your home and the prevention of damage. Plants that are too close to walls can damage your facade and promote humidity. It is advisable to maintain a minimum distance of 3 meters between trees and your home.
Regular pruning of branches overhanging your roof, your solar panels or near your neighbours reduces the risk of damage during storms. Preventative pruning in the spring also protects your outdoor heating installations such as heat pumps.
Remove dead leaves and plant debris that accumulate near the foundations. This green waste, as it decomposes, creates excessive humidity that is harmful to the walls of your home. Regular cleaning helps prevent the appearance of mould and preserves your home.
Damage prevention involves simple actions to be carried out each month. Monitor the connections of your solar panels and gently clean their surface with a soft sponge to maintain their optimal performance.
Check that your heating system is working properly by checking the pressure in the system and bleeding the radiators if necessary. Annual maintenance of your boiler allows you to anticipate malfunctions before winter.
Examine the general condition of your roofing from the ground with binoculars: identify displaced tiles or potential areas of infiltration.
Essential elements to monitor in autumn and winter
Roof inspection before the winter
- If your roof is new, it should not need to be checked within 5 years. After this time, an annual check is required.
- A thorough inspection of your roof in the autumn allows you to anticipate problems before bad weather sets in. Check the condition of the tiles or slates and identify any shifts or cracks that could let water through.
- The seal around chimneys and roof windows should also be checked. A lack of sealing in these sensitive areas can quickly cause leaks during heavy rain.
- For your safety, it is recommended to call on a qualified professional who can carry out these checks at height with the appropriate equipment.
Checking gutters and downspouts
- Leaves and debris can quickly clog gutters and downspouts. Remember to remove any items that accumulate there to ensure they function properly.
- Check the junction points between gutters and downspouts in particular, as well as the wall fixings. A dislocation or poor alignment can cause water infiltration along the facade.
- For an effective deep clean, use a garden hose to rinse the entire drainage system. Water should flow freely down the downspouts. If you notice abnormal drainage, it is best to call a professional for a detailed inspection.
Seasonal interventions and annual checks
- Clean gutters in the autumn.
- Clear snow from the roof in winter if possible with a suitable telescopic pole to avoid overloading the structures.
- Carry out a thermal diagnosis of the solar panels in the spring.
- Schedule professional chimney sweeping between May and September.
- Test the roof joints for leaks in the spring.
- Plan heating system maintenance in the summer to start the winter with peace of mind.
Regular maintenance is a cost-effective investment for your home. Preventative maintenance of your roof, heating system and solar panels can help you anticipate problems before they become costly damage.
Do not wait for the first signs of malfunction: regular monitoring and planned maintenance actions guarantee the long life of your equipment.