How do I know whether to repair or replace my boiler?

If your boiler is over 10-12 years old and the repair costs more than a third of a new boiler (£2,000-£3,500), replacement is usually the better option. Newer boilers are also significantly more energy efficient, saving £200-£400 per year on gas bills.

Is it worth repairing a washing machine?

Generally yes, if the washing machine is under 6 years old and the repair costs less than 50% of a new one. Common repairs like replacing a door seal (£65-£120) or pump (£80-£150) are usually worth doing. Beyond 8 years, replacement often makes more sense.

How does the Mend or End calculator work?

You answer 5-7 quick questions about your broken item — its age, the fault, previous repairs, warranty status, and urgency. Our algorithm weighs these factors against real UK repair and replacement costs to give you a personalised REPAIR, REPLACE, or BORDERLINE verdict with a confidence score.

Where do the repair and replacement costs come from?

Our costs are researched from trusted UK sources including Checkatrade, Which?, MyBuilder, Energy Saving Trust, and manufacturer pricing. All prices are UK averages for 2025/2026 and include typical labour costs.

Is the tool free to use?

Yes, Mend or End is completely free to use with no sign-up required. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser — we don't store any personal data.

Repair or Replace My Radiator? UK Calculator

Should I Repair or Replace My Radiator?

Radiator problems range from a simple bleed (free, 2 minutes) to a full replacement (£150–£350 fitted). Most radiator faults — cold spots, leaks from valves, loud banging — are straightforward to diagnose and fix. Complete radiator failure or severe corrosion is less common, and even then replacement is relatively affordable compared to most other home repairs.

Typical UK Radiator Repair Costs

Average UK labour and parts costs — always get multiple quotes from local engineers.

Fault / Repair	Typical UK Cost
Radiator bleed (self-service)	Free
Thermostatic valve (TRV) replacement	£50 – £120
Radiator power flush	£300 – £500 whole system
Single radiator replacement (supply + fit)	£150 – £350
Lockshield valve replacement	£40 – £80
Radiator rebalancing (boiler engineer)	£60 – £120

How Long Should a Radiator Last?

Steel panel radiators typically last 15–25 years. Decorative cast iron radiators can last 50+ years. Failure is usually from corrosion (internal sludge build-up) or physical damage. A regular power flush every 5–10 years significantly extends the system's life and maintains efficiency.

When Is It Worth Repairing?

Radiator repairs and replacements are almost always worth doing versus the alternative (no heating in that room or a system problem). Cold spots and banging are usually resolved with a bleed or power flush. Leaking valves are cheap to replace. Even a full radiator replacement (£150–£350) is affordable relative to ignoring a heating problem.

Not sure what to do? Use the free calculator above — answer a few quick questions about your radiator and get a personalised repair vs replace verdict in under a minute.

Panel vs Column vs Designer Radiators

UK homes feature several radiator types, each with different repair and replacement considerations. Steel panel radiators are the standard in most modern homes — they're affordable (£30–£150), widely available, and easy for any plumber to swap. Double-panel, double-convector (Type 22) radiators give the best heat output for their size. Column radiators come in traditional cast iron (found in period homes) and modern steel versions. Cast iron radiators are heavy and expensive but virtually indestructible if maintained — they're often worth refurbishing rather than replacing. Designer or vertical radiators (£150–£600+) are increasingly popular in contemporary UK homes. They look striking but can be harder to match if replacement is needed. When replacing any radiator, ensure the BTU output matches your room size to maintain comfortable heating.

Signs Your Radiator Needs Replacing

Visible rust or corrosion on the radiator body — external rust usually means internal corrosion is worse. A pinhole leak is often the next stage and can cause water damage to floors and walls.
Cold spots that persist after bleeding and flushing — if a power flush doesn't resolve cold patches, the radiator may be too clogged with sludge to function effectively.
Frequent need for topping up the boiler pressure — if your boiler keeps losing pressure and you've ruled out other causes, a radiator with a slow leak is a common culprit.
Banging or knocking noises from the system — while often caused by air or sludge, persistent noise after flushing may indicate a corroded radiator affecting water flow.
The radiator is undersized for the room — older homes sometimes have radiators that were adequate for their era but insufficient now, particularly if insulation has been improved or room layouts changed.

Energy Efficiency and Heating Costs

Radiators themselves don't consume energy — your boiler does — but the right radiator setup makes your heating system significantly more efficient. Fitting thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on every radiator except the one in the room with the thermostat is now recommended under UK Building Regulations and helps reduce gas bills by allowing room-by-room temperature control. Modern radiators with double panels and convector fins heat rooms faster, meaning the boiler runs for less time. According to the Energy Saving Trust, correctly balancing radiators and fitting TRVs can save UK households £70–£100 per year on heating bills. If your home's EPC rating is low, upgrading old radiators with properly sized modern units and TRVs is one of the simplest ways to improve it — which matters both for energy costs and property value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth repairing a radiator?

Yes — radiator repairs are generally affordable and straightforward. Bleeding (free), valve replacement (£50–£120), and even full radiator replacement (£150–£350) are all cost-effective solutions. Radiators rarely need replacing unless physically damaged or severely corroded internally.

How much does radiator repair cost in the UK?

Basic radiator repairs like bleeding and valve replacement cost £40–£120. A full power flush of the heating system costs £300–£500. Single radiator replacements run £150–£350 for supply and installation.

How long should a radiator last?

Steel panel radiators last 15–25 years. Cast iron radiators last much longer — often 50+ years. Regular power flushing and using corrosion inhibitor in the system prevents premature failure.

Why is my radiator cold at the bottom?

A cold bottom with a warm top is almost always sludge build-up in the system — magnetite and rust debris that sinks to the bottom of the radiator. A power flush is the solution, typically costing £300–£500 for a whole system.

Repair cost estimates are UK averages sourced from Checkatrade, Which?, and MyBuilder. Prices include labour and VAT. Always get at least two quotes from qualified tradespeople before proceeding with any repair.

Repair or Replace My Radiator? UK Calculator?