With winter just around the corner, it’s important to make sure your commercial property is ready for the colder months. We’ve put together a list of ten tips of essential maintenance checks so you and your business can be prepared for the winter season.

1. Clearing drains and guttering - With heavy rainfall, sleet and snow all likely to occur over the winter season, it’s vital to make sure that your drains and gutters are clear of any debris to ensure a steady and smooth flow of water through them. Pay close attention to joints and hoppers where there can be excess build-up of leaves and other debris.
2. Fixing leaky taps - Fixing taps that leak is a year-round maintenance check, but take extra care leading up to the colder season. You should pay special attention to outdoor taps, as if they leak, they will cause a hazard if they freeze.
3. Clearing debris and autumn leaves off solar panels - If your building has solar panels, you’ll want them to generate as much electricity as possible even during the less sunny months. Optimise their generation by clearing all the debris and autumn leaves from the face of the panels, so they can soak up as much of the winter sun as possible.
4. Check all outdoor and emergency lighting is in good working order - It’s crucial to make sure that your building’s emergency and outdoor lights are working properly during the darker and colder seasons. Having good lighting can help avoid accidents such as people slipping on ice or wet leaves just outside the building.
5. Ensure all electricals are up to date and PAT tested - As you’re bound to use electricals such as electrical heaters more during the colder months, make sure you get them PAT tested to ensure they are safe to use. Older appliances may need replacing, so it’s best to get them checked as soon as possible in case you need to procure new ones.
6. Ventilation heating should be serviced - As with electrical appliances, you’re likely to increase your usage of ventilation heating over the winter period. Make sure the heaters are safe and ready to go by having them serviced by a professional, and consider having an anti-bacterial treatment carried out on them to ensure that they’re as clean as possible.
7. Ensure your fire alarm system has up to date testing and fire extinguishers are in date - Make sure your building is prepared in the case of fires, by checking that the fire alarm system is up to date and that the fire extinguishers have not expired.
8. Frequent inspection of backup power sources - Stormy weather during the winter season is often responsible for UK power cuts. Check your backup power sources to make sure that you will be prepared should you get caught in a power outage.
9. Check your roof - The last thing you want during a windy period is for someone to be hit by a loose panel or tile from your roof. Inspect your roof tiles to make sure that none are loose or cracked, and replace them if necessary.
10. Maintain outside areas - Falling leaves and mud are likely to cover your outdoor walkways, and could result in slips or falls. Take time to clear them away (perhaps using a pressure washer if the area is particularly stubborn) and put down grit or salt to prevent these areas icing over during cold nights. Also take a look at any paving slabs around your property - if these are loose or cracked, they could cause someone to slip.

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