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.

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 – ensuring our homes defend us against bugs, damp and the freezing/thawing cycle that threatens our home’s structural integrity is imperative.

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 costs the UK economy around £1billion per day (yes, that much!), with homeowners footing up to £25,000 for damage caused by freezing conditions, it’s worth investing in some robust preventative measures.

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

Preventative cold weather damage costs

Limit the amount of damage cold weather does to your home by considering the following preventative measures.

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 20cm (length) and 1.3cm (thickness)
Average labour cost: £100

Gutter maintenance

Ensuring 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: £20 per 5m2

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: £250 per inspection

Wrap your garden pots

We recommend using horticultural fleece to wrap the perennials that are too big to bring inside. This stops them freezing or dying off when temperatures drop to unsustainable levels.

Average cost: £15 per 8m2

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: £5 per m2 for blanket insulation (the price of material only)
Wall insulation average cost: £475 for a detached property
Floor insulation average cost: £885 for suspended floor insulation

Seal your windows and doors

Use a weatherproof sealant such as this one 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 property
Average cracked foundations repairs: £1,250 per property

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: £700

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: £80

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: £235 = Average cost to repair a leaky pipe
• Gutter replacement cost guide: £700 = Average cost to replace 20, of guttering and 3 down pipes
• Roof repair cost guide: £200 = Average cost to repair leaky tiles
• Ceiling water damage repair cost guide: £1,550 = Average cost to replace water damaged ceiling
• Window seal replacement cost guide: £50 = Average cost of materials and labour
• Mould removal cost guide: £225 = 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: £4,000 = Average central heating installation
• Handyman prices: £60 = 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?

Other helpful links

• Property maintenance cost guide
• Cost of home emergency cover
• Rubber roofing cost guide
• Storm prep: How to prevent cold weather damage
• Winter tyres: Does your van need them?
• Shed conversion cost guide

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 and ensure 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.