Alfréd Hajós' Measuring Tape

Origin
Alfréd Hajós was a Hungarian swimmer and architect who became the first modern Olympic swimming champion. No other swimmer ever won such a high fraction of all Olympic events at a single Games. During his swims, he reported feeling extremely cold even though he lathered himself in a layer of grease for insulation.

Effects
When used in the construction of a house, it will constantly fill with water after some amount of time. The water is ice cold and diminishes the heat capacity of anything it contacts.