Blog>Cost Guides>Cold weather damage costs
Last updated: 11 January 2024
Cold weather damage costs
The winter months can wreak havoc on our homes. Cold weather damage is a common concern for UK households, which is why preparing for freezing conditions will help us stave off the chill and enjoy a warm and toasty environment.
The winter months can wreak havoc on our homes. Cold weather damage is a common concern for UK households, which is why preparing for freezing conditions will help us stave off the chill and enjoy a warm and toasty environment.
Not only is this good for your home, but it's also good for your health. With flu season upon us – coupled with the Covid-19 risk – making sure our homes defend us against bugs, damp and the freezing/thawing cycle is key.
So, what's the cost of creating these secure sanctuaries? How much does defending your property from Jack Frost set you back?
Read on for our expert guidance.
Common types of cold weather damage
When cold weather damage arises, it can cost the UK economy around £1billion per day (yes, that much!).
That said, here are some common types of cold weather damage:
Roof and gutter stress/damage
Frozen or burst pipes
Damp and rot
Water tank leaks
Peeling window and door seals
Cracking paths
Electrical hazards
Exploding garden pots
Cracked chimneys
Damaged decking
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Preventative cold weather damage costs
Limit the amount of damage cold weather does to your home by considering the following preventative measures.
| Preventative measure | Unit | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe insulation | Per metre (material) | £1.60 |
| Pipe insulation | Per job (labour) | £200 |
| Gutter maintenance | Per 5m | £90 |
| Roof and chimney inspection | Per inspection | £250 |
| Garden pot insulation | Per 8m of horticultural fleece | £15 |
| Insulation (loft) | Per m² | £10 |
| Insulation (walls) | Detached property | £3,200 |
| Insulation (floors) | Suspended floors per m² | £105 |
| Door and window sealant | Per 300ml | £10 |
| Underpin house | Per m | £1,125 |
| House survey | Condition report | £300 |
| Boiler service | Per job | £100 |
| Outside tap insulation cover | each | £10 |
| Insulate external condensate pipe from boiler | each | £200 |
| Lag cold water tank in loft (material only) | each | £25 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
Insulate pipes
Protect your pipe from freezing or bursting by wrapping them in weather-resistant insulation. Focus on your loft and garage first, which are particularly vulnerable, before you wrap the rest of your house. You can either hire a professional to wrap your pipes or tape/glue them yourself.
Check out our emergency guide for more information about how to prevent pipes freezing. And here's what to do when a pipe bursts.
Average cost of materials: £1.60 per metre for 15mm (diameter) and 13mm (thickness)
Average labour cost: £200
Insulate external condensate pipe from the boiler
This will stop your boiler from freezing and keep it working.
Average cost:£200
Outside tap insulation cover
Insulating your outside tap will stop it from freezing.
Average cost: £10 for a cover
Gutter maintenance
Making sure your water can flow freely and doesn't strain or break your gutters is essential during the winter months. Invest in a quality de-icer for weekly build-up, and be sure to hire a professional to clean your gutters before the cold weather sets in.
Check out our gutter cleaning cost guide for more comprehensive information.
Average cost:£90per 5m
Roof and chimney inspections
Avoid costly repairs by hiring a professional to inspect your roof and chimney/s regularly. However, be sure to keep an eye out for debris, cracked tiles and leaning chimney breasts throughout the year.
Check out our roof inspection cost guide for more information.
Average cost:£250per inspection
Wrap your garden pots
We recommend using horticultural fleece to wrap the perennials that are too big to bring inside. This stops them from freezing or dying off when temperatures drop to unsustainable levels.
Average cost:£15per 8m
Insulate your loft, walls and floors
To avoid condemnation build-up, leaks, damage or structural issues, consider insulating your loft, walls and floors. Not only will this keep you extra toasty, but insulation acts as an extra barrier against cold and flu bugs.
Check out our loft insulation cost guide, cavity wall insulation cost guide, and floor insulation cost guide for further information.
Loft insulation average cost:£10per m² for 2 layers of quilt insulation (the price of material only)
Wall insulation average cost:£3,200 for a detached property
Floor insulation average cost:£105per m² for suspended floor insulation
Seal your windows and doors
Use a weatherproof sealant to repair any peeling or cracks in the seals around your windows and doors. Staying on top of this sort of damage prevents more costly damage further down the line.
Average cost: £10 per 300ml of frame sealant
Reinforce your home's structural integrity
Due to the freeze and thaw cycle typical of cold weather, your home's foundations are at risk of cracking and weakening. To avoid this, consider reinforcing your home's structural integrity before more serious damage has a chance to take root and cost you a small fortune.
Read our foundation repair cost guide for more information.
Average cost to underpin your house: £1,125 per m
Undertake a house inspection
For greater peace of mind, why not consider undertaking a house survey before winter hits and it's too late? Staying on top of small issues stop them become huge and costly ones.
Our house survey cost guide tells you everything you need to know about what to expect from a survey and who is likely to benefit.
Average cost of condition report: £300
Service your boiler
To avoid frozen or burst pipes, condensation or mould, it's recommended that you keep the heating on for at least an hour a day. To make sure your boiler is up to it, book in a service with an engineer before the temperature drops.
Check out our boiler service cost guide for more information.
Average boiler service cost: £100
Lag cold water storage tank in the loft
This will stop the water from freezing which could potentially cause a burst tank. It could cost you around £1,000 to replace the tank.
Average cost:£220 - £440
Cold weather damage costs
Now we've covered the cost of preventative cold weather damage measures, let's take a look at the potential costs for when the damage is done.
Water supply pipe repair cost:£220 - £440 = Average cost to repair a leaky pipe
Gutter replacement cost guide:£800 - £1,000 = Average cost to replace 15- 20m of guttering and 3 down pipes
Roof repair cost guide: £210 = Average cost pitched concrete roof per m²
Ceiling water damage repair cost guide: £1,400 - £1,700 = Average cost to repair water damaged ceiling
Window seal replacement cost guide: £7.50for materials and £100 minimum call out charge
Mould removal cost guide: £200 = Average cost per job
Guide to boiler repair costs: £300 = Average cost of boiler repair
Cost of replacing sash windows: £1,300 = Average cost per window
Central heating installation cost guide: £5,250 = Average gas central heating installation
Handyperson prices: £35 = Average cost per hour
As you can see, the costs start to add up without preventative measures in place. So, with that in mind, why not hire a professional to come and cold-proof your home before the winter months take their toll?
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Other helpful links
Checklist
Identify your cold-weather defence requirements and prioritise your preventative measures
Tackle external measures first, such as your roof, gutter, foundations and seals
Remember that prevention is better than cure. Hire a professional to tackle more complex jobs for your peace of mind
For more helpful guides like this, head over to Checkatrade’s blog for all the latest insights, inspiration and costs on hundreds of relevant topics.
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