Keeping your facilities summer resilient

The summer season may signal a quieter time for some businesses. Still, for many Facilities Managers (FMs), especially those in retail, hospitality, and frontline services, it can present its own set of unique challenges. Increased footfall, dry weather, UV exposure, and occasional heavy downpours can put strain on car parks, landscaping, and external infrastructure.

Keeping outdoor spaces functional, safe, and visually appealing during the warmer months is just as crucial as in winter. Here's how your site can thrive during British Summer Time, ensuring a clean, welcoming, and hazard-free environment for staff, customers, and visitors alike.

Evaluate your grounds

Start with a summer-specific audit of your external areas:

• Check for sun-damaged surfaces such as faded paint, warped signage, or cracked tarmac.
• Identify poor drainage spots while summer is drier; sudden storms can cause flash flooding if systems aren’t maintained.
• Inspect trees and shrubs for overgrowth that might obstruct lighting, signage, or CCTV visibility.

Tree and shrub maintenance

Summer growth can quickly become unruly if left unchecked. Regular trimming:

• Maintains neat aesthetics.
• Prevents overhanging branches from blocking views or damaging property during summer storms.
• healthy growth into autumn and winter.

Ground Control can support with proactive tree surveys, pruning, and removal services, ensuring your vegetation enhances rather than hinders your site.

Lawn care

Summer heat can stress lawns, so your grass will need a little extra care:

• Water during cooler hours (early morning or late evening) to reduce evaporation.
• Keep grass trimmed to a moderate height to resist drought.
• Treat for weeds and pests that are more active in warm conditions.

Our grounds maintenance teams can tailor summer lawn care programs that keep your green areas thriving without over-watering or chemical overuse.

Landscaping and seasonal enhancements

Brighten up your exterior with:

• Seasonal planting schemes using succulents and drought-tolerant flowers and shrubs.
• Compliment your soft landscapes with decorative features like planters or garden furniture to create inviting spaces for customers or staff breaks.

Ground Control can design and install creative, low-maintenance, nature-based landscaping that fits your brand and budget.

Sweeping, surface cleaning, and line marking

Increased summer traffic and drier weather can leave surfaces dusty, stained, or faded. Excessive dust can also cause respiratory health hazards.

Address dusty, distressed car parks by:

• Jet washing access roads, walkways, and car parks to restore cleanliness and reduce slip risks from moss or algae
• Repainting line markings and signage to improve visibility and safety.
• Sweeping away debris or suppressing dust with a mechanical sweeping contractor.

Pothole repairs and resurfacing

Hot weather can cause cracks in road surfaces to expand or previously repaired surfaces to become sticky and fragile. This can quickly become hazardous, particularly when a typical British heat wave is followed by rainfall.

• Invest in a water-activated pothole repair formula and a service that can quickly restore your car park surfaces to be driven over immediately, regardless of rain, heat, frost, or snow.

Drainage and water management

Sudden summer storms like those seen in 2023 (Storm Antoni, for example) can overwhelm drains if they’re not cleared. Prevent flooding and damage by:

• Clearing gullies, drains, and culverts before the heavy rain hits.
• Emptying septic tanks and checking soakaways.
• Removing vegetation or debris that could cause blockages.
• Investing in a long-term sustainable drainage and landscape design solution.

Whether it’s proactive maintenance or emergency support, Ground Control is ready to help 24/7.

Sustainable, low-carbon energy systems

Summer isn’t all about the outdoors. Interior environments must stay cool and comfortable too:

• Use the sun to power your property. Consider installing photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar PV on building roofs, canopies, or underused land to create an on-site source of heat and electricity. 
• Maintain your HVAC systems by cleaning filters, checking ductwork, and ensuring efficient cooling.
• Install or upgrade to energy-efficient air conditioning or natural ventilation systems.
• Consider passive cooling techniques such as solar films, shading, or green roofs.

Looking for a more sustainable upgrade? Ground Control can retrofit your site with greener systems that work for both summer and winter.

Efficient lighting

With longer daylight hours, energy-efficient lighting still plays a crucial role in early mornings and evenings:

• Inspect and clean all lighting fixtures—summer dust and insects can impact performance. 
• Upgrade to LEDs with motion sensors or daylight detectors to save energy.

Lighting isn’t just for winter. A well-lit site year-round improves safety and appearance.

Regular inspections and reporting

Even in summer, regular site checks remain essential. Look for:

• Uneven paving or loose kerbs 
• Slippery patches (often caused by algae or oil).
• Vandalism or wear-and-tear from increased footfall or events. 

Proactive maintenance reduces costly downtime and keeps your site safe and presentable.

Communication and support

Peak summer brings its pressures, from tourist surges to seasonal events. Working with a maintenance partner that’s responsive and reliable is key.

At Ground Control, we provide:

• 24/7 help desk support to manage urgent needs.
• Flexible contracts, whether you need ad-hoc tasks or full summer coverage.
• National reach with a local touch, thanks to our network of experienced teams across the UK.

Client success stories

Our seamless onboarding process has helped major retailers prepare for seasonal peaks, whether it's Christmas, Black Friday, or summer sales. One national chain entrusted us with 1,000+ site mobilisations, with grounds and winter maintenance, landscaping, lighting, and drainage all under one contract, reducing admin and ensuring consistency.

Conclusion

Summer brings opportunity, but also responsibility. By maintaining your car parks, landscaping, and external infrastructure, you’ll ensure a safe, attractive environment that supports business success and customer satisfaction.

Let Ground Control take care of it all. From tree work and lawn care to lighting upgrades and drainage services.

Keep your site resilient and beautiful with Ground Control.

Contact us today to build your custom seasonal maintenance plan.