Maintenance tips for the festive season

The festive season brings a well-earned break for many businesses. However, for facilities managers working in retail or front-line services, this time of year can be challenging. Cold snaps, frost, sudden thaws, last-minute rushes, and unpredictable weather can transform what should be a merry, festive period into a stressful scramble.

This winter has already showcased some contrasting weather events.  After a sharp, cold wave in November with widespread frost, snow, ice warnings, and sub-zero nights, early December brought a rapid shift to milder, wetter, windier conditions driven by low-pressure systems.

With weather patterns swinging from frost to heavy rain, it’s important to ensure that your car parks, grounds, and outdoor spaces are safe, resilient and winter-ready.

Here, our Maintenance Director, Darren Daley, shares practical, actionable tips to keep your sites safe, accessible, and visually appealing through the busiest and most hazardous months of the year.

Evaluate your grounds

A thorough assessment of your external spaces will help you anticipate and mitigate risks:

Check the health of your trees and vegetation. 
Assess tree limbs, root zones, and overhead hazards. Saturated soil followed by sudden cold snaps can increase the risk of root instability and branch failures.

Review drainage and water flow
Heavy rain and mild spells can overwhelm drainage channels. Blockages may lead to pooling, which can freeze into black ice overnight.

Inspect walkways, car parks for damage.
Look out for cracks, potholes, or uneven surfaces that can fill with water, freeze, and create slip hazards.

Tree, shrub, and grounds maintenance

Winter 2025’s mix of wet, mild, and cold spells means flexibility is essential:

• Clear leaf litter, saturated debris, and blocked gullies to reduce the risk of flooding and ice formation.
• Delay major pruning if the ground is waterlogged; heavy machinery on soft ground can cause compaction and long-term root damage.
• Maintain or introduce hardy evergreens and winter-tolerant planting to keep your grounds looking cared for throughout the season.

Managing snow, ice, rain, and flood risk

With winter conditions shifting rapidly, take a holistic approach to risk management:

• Have a flexible winter maintenance plan in place
  Your winter maintenance provider should be on-site before you feel the need to call them.  This is what happens with Ground Control's winter maintenance contracts.  As a Met Office Gold Standard supplier, you can rest assured that our teams will always be close by and on-site before the frost sets in, leaving you to focus on business as usual.  Our pay-per-visit service options will also enable savings if the gritters are not needed.  No frost means no cost.
  Protect your materials and equipment.
  Store grit, salt, and tools securely to prevent water ingress, clumping, or rusting.
• Plan for water/drainage issues.
  Heavy rain followed by frost can cause refreeze, black ice, or flooding. Make sure gullies, drains, and soakaways are clear and functional.
• Have wet-weather contingency plans alongside snow/ice protocols.
  In milder spells, snow may not settle, but heavy rain, wind, and saturated ground can still create hazards (slippery surfaces, water pooling, debris).
• Prioritise high-use zones (car parks, main walkways, disabled access).
  These should be cleared or managed first, even if you don’t expect heavy snow, rainfall, and frost cycles can still create dangerous conditions.

Efficient heat ventilation and energy systems

Changing temperatures can place additional strain on systems:

• Conduct HVAC maintenance early. Clean filters, check for leaks, test thermostats, and look out for condensation or damp issues caused by wet weather.
• Consider steps to improve energy efficiency, especially if demand spikes. Many businesses are now exploring low-carbon technologies such as solar solutions or heat pumps. Winter can be a good time to review options.

Ensure external drainage, gullies, and septic systems are clear

With saturated ground and repeated rainfall, drainage failures can quickly escalate into flooding around buildings and car parks.

Proactive drain maintenance and reliable liquid-waste removal help avoid emergency callouts, site disruption, or closures.

Inspections and communication: Essential in unpredictable weather

• Carry out frequent site inspections following storms, frost, heavy rain, or abrupt temperature changes.
• Look for slip hazards, structural issues, and flood risks.
• Keep your winter maintenance plan flexible, with clear procedures for frost, snow, and even milder, wet-weather events.
• Speak with your grounds maintenance provider about additional seasonal services, such as tree surveys, emergency response, or storm-damage works.

To complement your maintenance plan, did you know Ground Control also offers:

• sweeper and tanker services
• CCTV drain surveys
• gully sucking
• Pressure washing

A maintenance partner who can oversee all your external environment needs, such as ice clearance, vegetation management, drainage, tree works, sweeping, and more, reduces stress and ensures consistency throughout the most challenging months of the year.

As 2025’s winter continues to surprise, having a trusted partner like Ground Control ensures your outdoor spaces remain safe, accessible, and well-maintained, whatever the weather delivers.