Winter Isn’t Over Yet – Top Tips To Prevent Your Property Getting Damaged This Season

Christmas may be over but that hasn’t stopped the freezing temperatures we are currently experiencing. Whilst we may be able to protect ourselves from the cold weather by adding an extra layer or a woolly hat, our properties are not so lucky and winter is often the prime season for them to experience damage and breakdowns. The best way to ensure that your business is protected from any winter related issues is to carry out preventative measures, limiting the possibility of any problems.

Brickwork

• If external bricks are left unchecked they start to develop small cracks. If rain water is allowed to sit in these cracks, they will begin to freeze. This then causes the cracks to expand, pushing the bricks further apart. If you notice any cracks in your brickwork, fix them immediately.
• Check the air bricks in your property, removing any build-up of leaves or other foliage. Blocked air bricks stop the air flowing properly in your property, which can cause your timber structures to become damp and start to rot.

Pipes

During the cold months your property’s pipeworks are susceptible to freezing and bursting, which can cause huge damage and costs to your business. To prevent this happening you should:

• Cover your external pipes with insulation sleeves to protect them as much as possible.
• Ensure the temperature in your building doesn’t go below 4 degrees. Whilst it may be tempting to turn the heating off whilst your business is closed e.g. during the weekend, to save money, you must leave the heating on low to ensure that your pipes keep warm.
• Carry out regular inspections of your pipes, specifically looking for areas where freezing may start to occur. Turn taps and look for a steady stream of water. If the water is slow or non-existent then your pipes may have frozen – call a plumber immediately to prevent any further issues.
• Due to the increased use of heating during the winter months, it is essential that your heating system is regularly maintained and serviced.
• Immediately repair any dripping taps and faulty valve balls as they can cause waste pipes to freeze.

Roof

• Check your properties roof for ‘ice dams’ – this is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of the roof and prevents water from draining. The water then backs up behind the dam and can begin to leak into the property, causing damage to ceilings, walls, insulation etc.
• Check the insulation in your roof to ensure that it is not under the cold tank and goes over pipe work not under.

MSL offer complete planned maintenance programmes tailor-made for the needs of your business. This will ensure that all the necessary checks and repairs are undertaken safely by professionals, leaving you safe in the knowledge that your property is kept protected during these freezing months.