Winter Building Maintenance Checklist: Preventing Costly Cold Weather Damage
Winter damage to buildings is expensive — and often preventable. Here's your practical checklist to protect your property before the cold weather hits.
Why This Matters
Last winter, UK businesses lost over £1 billion to weather damage.
Burst pipes. Collapsed roofs. Broken heating systems. Most of it could have been avoided with some preparation.
Let's make sure your building isn't part of this year's statistics.
Your Winter Checklist
Heating Systems (Do This in November)
Your heating system is about to work harder than it has all year. Make sure it's ready.
- Get your boiler serviced — Book it now, before everyone else does.
- Bleed your radiators — Takes 10 minutes. Saves you from cold spots.
- Test your thermostats — Are they actually controlling the temperature? Or just for show?
- Have a backup plan — What happens if your heating fails on the coldest day of the year?
Protect Your Pipes
A burst pipe can cost you £15,000 or more — once you factor in water damage, lost business, and emergency repairs.
Prevention is cheap by comparison.
- Wrap insulation around any exposed pipes, especially in basements and roof spaces.
- Add heating cables to pipes in really cold areas.
- Turn off and drain outdoor taps before the first frost.
- Fix any dripping taps now. They'll freeze and burst later.
- Make sure everyone knows where the main water shut-off is. Seriously.
Roof and Gutters
Heavy snow can damage your roof. Blocked gutters cause leaks and ice dams.
Both are easy to prevent.
- Clear out all the leaves and debris from gutters and downpipes.
- Check for loose or missing roof tiles.
- Make sure flat roof drains aren't blocked.
- Trim back any tree branches hanging over the roof.
- Check the flashing around chimneys and vents.
Car Parks and Walkways
Slip and fall accidents triple in winter. You need to be ready — with the right equipment and a clear plan.
- Stock up on grit and salt now. It sells out fast when the weather turns.
- Service your snow clearing equipment and fill it with fuel.
- Fix any cracks or potholes. They'll get worse when water freezes in them.
- Add extra lighting for dark mornings and evenings.
- Create a gritting schedule and share it with your team.
Windows and Doors
Drafty windows and doors waste energy and money.
A few simple fixes can cut your heating bills by 25%.
- Replace worn weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Fix any broken window seals.
- Make sure all windows close and lock properly.
- Add draft excluders to external doors.
- Consider temporary insulation film for old single-pane windows.
Be Ready for Emergencies
Even with perfect preparation, things can go wrong. Make sure you're ready:
- Keep a list of emergency contractor numbers somewhere everyone can find it.
- Stock emergency supplies — torches, batteries, blankets.
- Have a plan for severe weather closures.
- Test your backup power systems.
- Check your insurance covers winter damage.
The Numbers
Prevention costs a fraction of emergency repairs:
- Winter preparation: £2,000-£5,000
- Burst pipe repair: £15,000-£50,000
- Roof collapse: £100,000+
- Lost business per day: £5,000-£20,000
The choice is obvious.
We Can Handle Your Winter Prep
From heating servicing to pipe insulation to emergency response, we'll make sure your building is ready for whatever winter throws at it.
Get Your Winter Quote