WINTER MAINTENANCE CHALLENGING THE CHILL
With colder months on the horizon, it’s crucial for FMs to ensure buildings are properly prepared for impending wintry conditions. Berenice Northcott, Managing Director of Access North Structures, explores five key obstacles to overcome within winter maintenance programmes.
The UK may have experienced its hottest summer on record this year, but autumn is already looming and sunshine from June through to August certainly doesn’t guarantee a mild winter. From drainage issues and wind damage to flooding and leaks, it’s no secret that adverse weather conditions in the colder months can wreak havoc on buildings that haven’t been properly maintained.
“Small design elements can have a mighty impact on the overall
integrity of a building – especially when problems arise.”
Within any upkeep programme, regular inspections and preventive maintenance are therefore key to avoiding the need for responsive or emergency repairs – and this is especially important as the coldest season approaches. So, how can facilities managers overcome the challenges of winter preparation, and ensure buildings are ready for when the snow and ice arrive?
Plan ahead with preventive maintenance Prevention is better than cure in many facets of life, and structural maintenance is certainly one of them. Specific aspects of a winter preparation programme should therefore be conducted in advance – for instance, repointing worn exteriors, removing rust from exposed metalwork, replacing broken tiles and slates, and repainting outside surfaces can all be taken care of prior to the onset of colder weather.
And even for those tasks that can only be carried out once winter has arrived, these can be scheduled far in advance to ensure all the necessary groundwork has been done beforehand. If there’s not one in place already, creating a proactive preventive maintenance programme is extremely helpful for keeping on top of what work needs to be conducted, when these should take place and what preparation is required. Having a thorough understanding of the condition of the structure is a vital part of this, so routine inspections and the production of comprehensive reports should also be factored into this schedule.
Whilst it’s important for FMs to deter weather damage as far as possible, having a safety net if any unforeseen difficulties do arise is also essential. Gutter cleaning and leak detection are two of the most frequent call-outs for maintenance teams in winter, so it’s a good idea to consider the eventuality of requiring such urgent repairs, and find a specialist firm that would be able to help if needed.
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Take care of any outstanding repairs If there are any areas in need of attention that have been highlighted by inspections, but put off until ‘later’ – or problems that have been spotted by chance – rectifying these should be made a priority before winter sets in. Any defects that begin as minor issues – such as a window seal coming away or a hairline crack in the rendering – can quickly be exacerbated by heavy rain and high winds, so it’s important that they aren’t overlooked.
It’s also worth noting that although elements of winter maintenance can be handled earlier in the year, timescales for others are dictated by the seasons themselves. For example, one key issue affecting all types of building over autumn and winter are blocked drains and gutters, largely caused by falling leaves. Of course, it’s not until the trees are completely bare that the risk of blockages can be ruled out, so de-vegetation can only really be conducted from September through to November.
Employing an efficient access solution is essential for completing such jobs in a timely fashion, so FMs shouldn’t be constrained by more traditional methods, such as scaffolding or aerial work platforms. For hard-to- reach areas and assignments requiring wide structural coverage, rope access is a particularly versatile and cost- effective option, as technicians aren’t confined to one spot and the set-up is quick and non-intrusive.
Pay attention to detail It’s easy to overlook seemingly insignificant structural details in favour of the bigger picture, but certain small design elements can have a mighty impact on the overall integrity of a building – especially when problems arise. For instance, a minor design defect in a gutter system can lead to pooling and standing water. This in turn can cause major issues in the form of water ingress and even flooding, so taking note of the early warning signs is critical.
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