Checklist: getting your property ready for winter

Before the first frost arrives, a systematic walk around the property is time well spent. Tick off the most important points now and you will spare yourself nasty surprises in winter — and, if it comes to it, trouble over liability.

Before the first frost

• Clear leaves out of gutters and downpipes so that meltwater can drain away freely.
• Shut off or drain outside taps and any pipework at risk of freezing.
• Stock up in good time on spreading material (sand, grit or another permitted agent) — do not wait until the first snowfall to order it.
• Check that snow shovels, brooms and any spreader are in working order.
• Check the outside lighting — short days mean more darkness on the paths.

Organisational points

• Settle who is responsible for winter maintenance and put it in writing — who clears, at what times, and what happens if they are unavailable (holiday, illness)?
• Agree an emergency contact for call-outs at short notice when winter arrives suddenly.
• If you are engaging a service provider: go through the contract and the scope of work again before the season starts, not once it is already snowing.

On the building itself

• Check the seals on windows and doors, to keep draughts and heating costs under control.
• Check the façade and the paving for cracks — moisture that freezes during cold spells can make existing damage worse.
• Cut back or protect frost-sensitive planting in good time.

How Zamsa helps

The points on this list are spread across two services: clearing and gritting is done by the winter maintenance service, while checking gutters, lighting and the building itself is part of the caretaker service. Putting both in one pair of hands saves you having to coordinate two providers when something needs doing quickly.