The Scottish cities where homes are most at risk from cold weather damage have been named. As we previously reported, the country is currently in the midst of a cold snap.
With temperatures plummeting below 0C, there is a high risk of burst pipes, failing boilers, and other damp-related damage caused by chilly conditions. On Monday, Norton Insurance Brokers shared a list of the UK cities most at risk from cold weather issues – and both Edinburgh and Glasgow feature in the top 10.
Coming in at number five on the UK-wide roundup, Glasgow tops the list for Scotland based on search data for boiler repairs, burst pipes, damp proofing, and roof repairs. According to the experts, Scotland’s largest city sees 296 searches per 100,000 residents for cold weather related issues each month.
The research also revealed that Scotland’s largest city recorded the highest number of searches for boiler repairs. With 100 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, this reflects the city’s colder climate and the strain on heating systems.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh appears at number 10 on Norton Insurance Brokers’ UK-wide roundup. The results show that there are an average 237 searches for cold weather related issues per 100,000 residents in the Scottish capital every month.
As we previously reported, Central Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the current cold snap. Temperatures are predicted to hit as low as -5 degrees Celsius, while other parts of the country will see less significant drops.
Elsewhere, Manchester tops the list as the city in the UK most prone to cold damage. According to Norton Insurance Brokers, homes in the English city are the most vulnerable to cold — with 364 monthly searches per 100,000 residents.
Norton Insurance Brokers also shared some tips on how to avoid cold weather damage. The experts recommend inspecting your roof for missing tiles, leaks, and weak points, as well as regularly having your boiler serviced.
Other tips shared by Norton Insurance Brokers include keeping your home’s heating on a low setting even when you are out in order to prevent pipes from freezing and insulating both indoor and outdoor pipes. In order to prevent dampness, you should also ensure there is good airflow in your home by opening windows or using extractor fans.
See below for the full list of the top 10 UK cities most prone to cold damage according to Norton Insurance Brokers.
Top 10 UK cities most prone to cold damage
- Manchester
- Cardiff
- Bristol
- Plymouth
- Glasgow
- Swansea
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Sheffield
- Edinburgh