Autumn is the best time to get a building ready for winter. The weather is still kind enough for outdoor work, engineers are easier to book, and small problems haven't yet turned into big ones.
Winter is when buildings are pushed hardest. Heating runs all day, rain and wind test the roof, and short days mean the lights do more work. A fault that's a nuisance in September can close a building in January.
Here's what we'd look at now, in plain English.
Heating
This is the big one. Cold offices, shops and units are the most common reason people report problems in winter.
- Get the boiler serviced before you need it. If it runs on gas, the service must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the gas safety check is usually yearly anyway.
- Turn the heating on for a test run now, not on the first cold morning. It's the easiest way to spot noisy pumps, cold radiators or controls that don't work.
- Check the timers and thermostats match the hours the building is actually used. Heating an empty building overnight is money down the drain.
Roofs, Gutters And Drains
Falling leaves block gutters and drains, and blocked gutters overflow. Water then finds its way into walls, ceilings and electrics.
- Clear gutters, downpipes and drains once the leaves are down.
- Look for loose or missing roof tiles, cracked flashing and damaged flat roof coverings.
- Check ceilings on the top floor for new stains. They're often the first sign of a leak.
Any roof work should be done safely by people trained to work at height.
Pipes And Water
Frozen pipes can burst, and the damage usually shows up when the building is empty, such as over a weekend or the Christmas break.
- Lag (insulate) pipes in cold spots like roof spaces, plant rooms and outside walls.
- Make sure everyone knows where the main water stop tap is.
- Keep water moving in quiet areas. Water left standing in pipes can let harmful bacteria grow, which is what your legionella checks are there to prevent.
Lighting And Safety
Darker evenings mean people rely on the lights more, both inside and out.
- Replace failed bulbs in car parks, paths and entrances. Poor outdoor lighting is a trip hazard and a security risk.
- Keep up the monthly checks on your emergency lighting, the lights that come on in a power cut to guide people out.
- Check that fire exits are clear of seasonal clutter, like stored decorations or stock.
Why It's Worth Doing Now
- Safety: cold, leaks and poor lighting all put people at risk.
- Cost: planned work is almost always cheaper than an emergency call-out in the middle of a cold snap.
- Insurance and leases: insurers and landlords expect a building to be properly maintained. Records of servicing help if you ever need to claim.
This is general guidance. Every building is different, and the right checks depend on its systems, how it's used and the advice of the qualified people who look after it.
How One Space Can Help
This kind of seasonal check is exactly what planned maintenance is for: doing the right jobs at the right time, so things don't fail when you need them most. With SmartFix, your winter checks go into one plan for your building, get booked in before they're due, and the records are kept in One View.
Already spotted a problem? Report a repair and we'll get it sorted before the weather turns.
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