News

1. Roof Inspection

A good place to start is a thorough inspection of the roof as this is the most exposed element.  Look for any broken or slipped tiles, loose ridge tiles, damaged lead flashing, felt or rotting support beams that could cause water ingress. Build-up of moss can also disrupt water drainage.

2. Gutters

Wind, rain and snow can all cause gutter damage. Gutters need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any build-up of leaves, moss or debris that can cause blockages that will prevent efficient water drainage. This can lead to damp and rotting issues.  It is also important to ensure all guttering is securely attached to the property, including downpipes and there are no leaks or faulty joints. Otherwise, this could also cause problems to the fascia and soffits and cause penetrating damp problems.

3. Pointing and rendering

The exterior of the property is just as important as its interior. Checking for defective pointing and masonry is key, as this can also prevent water entering the property, causing both structural and internal damage. Pay particular attention to the weather prevailing side of the property.

4. Make sure your building is well insulated

One of the most important commercial property winter maintenance tasks, is to make sure your building is well-insulated. Commercial property owners can benefit from correct insulation in numerous ways, from money-saving to energy efficiency, not just for winter property protection. Insulation traps the heat from leaving the property and will protect the building internally from harsh external elements (and keeps your employees comfortable and happy!).

5. Plumbing Preparation

Frozen pipes can be detrimental to your business, particularly if the ice causes the pipes to expand and burst. Check all exposed pipework or pipework that may be in an unheated area.  For those pipes in the wall adequate insulation (as above) should be considered. Actions can be put in place to minimise the chance of frozen pipes through insulation (for both hot and cold taps) and also external pipe lagging.

If you are aware of a current leak, it is highly recommended to get this fixed as a matter of urgency, as winter weather will only exasperate the problem and a minor repair, could turn into serious damage.

6. Drains

Inspect all of your drains. Just like the guttering, it is important to ensure the drains are free flowing and not blocked by debris which will prevent proper water flow away from the property. Also ensure that grates and covers are fitted properly and not damaged as this will help protect the drains from filling up with external debris.

7. Check windows and doors

It is important to check the seals between the frames and brickwork, as this could have deteriorated throughout the year. Examine windows and doors looking for gaps that will let cold air in and hence cause the draught. Actions for draughtproofing can then be put in place, such as weather sealing or secondary glazing, or if your windows or doors are in poor condition, it may be the time to replace them.

8. Lighting

Proving a well-lit environment for your workers, suppliers and customers, is crucial throughout the winter. Illuminating the outside of the building and car park areas is extremely important for safety. Outdoor lighting should be cleaned and in a good working condition and should be weather resistant. All lighting should be inspected, so check your interior lighting has the correct coverage and emergency lighting is working properly in case of a power outage.

9. External areas

If your property has external areas you own, such as walkways, driveways or car park areas for instance, as well as visibility, it is important to clear away heavy build up of leaves, cut back trees and bushes that may be protruding, that may block signage, apply ice melt or rock salt in adverse weather conditions and regularly inspect and treat these areas for weather damage.

10. Ventilation

The onset of winter brings heavier rainfall (although some may debate that our British Summers do too). This brings issues such as damp, mold and condensation. So, keep on top of your maintenance and repairs of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC system) which can freeze and will therefore no longer provide a fresh and healthy atmosphere. Proper ventilation helps regulate temperature and humidity levels which prevents damp. Periodically opening windows (despite the cold) for short intervals will help ventilate the room and reduce the risk of mold growth. Maintaining a constant temperature is key. Remember to also take note of unused areas or rooms, which will be cooler and more susceptible to mold as well.