You can find the familiar Finnish invention, the bidet shower, in nearly every home in Finland. This standard feature is also common in loss statistics: Pohjola Insurance receives dozens of loss reports every year claiming the bidet shower has damaged property. The severity of the losses varies, but the costs can be as high as 30,000 euros. 

“Bidet showers, just as all other water fixtures, always involve a risk of leak and water damage. Leak damage is often caused by a damaged bidet shower or its joints, or if the shower has been left running by accident. You should take extra care when installing bidet showers, and once the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, skimping on a replacement simply isn’t worth it,” says Sini Kujala, Claims Team Manager of property insurance at Pohjola Insurance.  

Loss reports reveal that some accidents happen in connection with children playing. In many of these cases, children have used the bidet shower to spray water outside the bathroom or on other non-water-resistant surfaces and furniture. Damage can be particularly severe in facilities without moisture insulation. 

“A bidet shower is almost like a water gun with an endless supply of water, so understandably, playing with it may damage the surroundings. Parents should teach their children that such play is more suitable for outdoors, and that it’s probably also more fun there,” suggests Kujala. 

A fresh toilet may cost you hundreds of euros – toilet fresheners cause clogging 

In addition to bidet showers, toilet fresheners hung on the toilet bowl can cause damage in a bathroom. Although toilet fresheners are a common sight in many homes, they can clog a toilet if they accidentally drop into it. According to loss statistics, this damage can usually be fixed with a few hundred euros.  

“In these cases, the toilet freshener has dropped into the toilet bowl, and the person flushes the toilet before they notice. This may cause the freshener to move surprisingly deep into the toilet, clogging it. You may not be able to remove it without professional help,” Kujala says. 

A clogged toilet is inconvenient to have at home, and you should definitely not attempt to use it after noticing the situation.  

“You should remove items that have dropped into the toilet immediately to avoid clogging it and to possibly rescue the dropped item. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognise when professional help is needed and to call for help without hesitation,” Kujala says.