Grounds Maintenance in Winter for Social Housing Providers
As winter sets in, housing associations and grounds maintenance contractors must prepare for various challenges. Here are some key questions to consider:
- How will you maintain grass at a proper height during milder winter conditions?
- What methods will you use to remove leaves and debris from different areas like hardstanding, shrub beds, and bike or bin stores?
- How do you prioritise leaf collection around your site, especially in areas with large tree canopies?
- When is the best time to carry out winter pruning for shrubs and hedges?
- What safety precautions will you take when using air brooms?
These questions will help ensure effective grounds maintenance throughout the winter. It should be contained within your grounds maintenance specification with clear roles and responsibilities for preparation and service delivery.
Winter Maintenance Social Housing Checklist
Winter brings unique challenges for many housing associations. Proper preparation can prevent costly issues and ensure comfort during cold months. Key areas to focus on include:
• Roof inspection and repair
• Gutter cleaning
• Boiler servicing
• Pipe insulation
• Draught-proofing windows and doors
• Chimney sweeping (if applicable)
Regular maintenance helps avoid problems like ice dams, frozen pipes, and heat loss. Creating a checklist for your customers and your organisation to allow you to tackle tasks systematically.
Energy efficiency is also crucial in winter. Consider:
- Upgrading insulation
- Installing a smart thermostat
- Using heavy curtains
- Sealing air leaks
These steps can significantly reduce heating costs and improve comfort. Planning ahead ensures homes are ready to face winter's chill.
How can Thornton & Lowe Help?
We will review what happens now both on site and in your documentation. We will meet with contractors, customers and your team to understand what is really required. A specification which includes in detail specific requirements for winter maintenance at a granular level is key! Including routes for performance and contract management.
By reviewing your current costs we can identify areas for efficiencies and ensure a compliant and practical procurement exercise if required.
