There are a number of protective measures you can consider taking to help prepare your commercial property for the cold conditions, including:
For the external parts of your property, consider:
If you’re going to leave your property vacant for an extended period of time over the winter months, it’s important to consider the following:
Tell-tale signs of a frozen pipe include no water coming from the tap, frost or ice on the outside of the pipe and if the pipe appears to be bulging.
However, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily mean a disaster, if you act quickly enough. If you discover a water pipe which is frozen but has not burst, take the following steps to prevent it from bursting and protect your possessions:
Don’t forget any outdoor taps – it may be worth insulating these to prevent water from freezing inside the cavity wall and causing an escape of water.
Although pipes are inevitably damaged when they freeze, it’s only possible to see bursts when the pipe begins to thaw. If it is apparent that a pipe in your property has burst, you should:
If possible, once the leak has been fixed, make sure you air the affected parts of the property by leaving windows and doors open.
It’s worth carrying out the following steps to help prepare yourself and your property for possible flooding:
*This content is by no means exhaustive and is for guidance purposes only. It’s not intended to amount to advice on which reliance should be placed. For requirements specific to your business, please seek professional advice.