Winter Gritting Services: How to Keep Your Commercial Property Ice-Free

As the colder months rapidly approach us here in the UK, ice and snow become very real concerns for commercial properties. Whether you're managing an office park, retail space or industrial estate, keeping your property ice-free is essential for safety, accessibility and keeping your business running as usual. Contracting a grounds maintenance company such as SPA Landscaping for your winter gritting services over the colder seasons is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the risks associated with icy weather.

Let’s explore the benefits of winter gritting services, why they're important for your commercial property, and how to ensure your premises remain safe and operational throughout the winter.

Why are winter gritting services important?

Health and safety compliance

Slippery pathways, roads and car parks pose serious safety risks to employees, customers and visitors. A slip or fall can result in serious injuries, leading to potential liability claims. UK businesses are legally obliged to maintain safe conditions under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Proactively gritting your property reduces the risk of accidents and demonstrates your commitment to compliance and safety.

Business continuity

Bad weather can lead to disruptions in your daily operations, with ice and snow potentially preventing deliveries from arriving or make it difficult for employees and customers to access your site. By investing in a regular professional gritting service, you can keep your roads and walkways clear to ensure minimal disruption to your business, even during adverse weather conditions.

Protecting your reputation

First impressions count, and an ice-covered car park or dangerously slippery path doesn’t reflect well on any business. Professional winter maintenance not only prevents accidents, but also signals that your company takes care of its property and the people who visit it. Your business’s reputation as a safe and responsible organisation is enhanced simply by maintaining a well-gritted, hazard-free environment.

How does winter gritting work?

Winter gritting involves spreading a layer of grit, or rock salt, over outdoor surfaces to melt snow and ice or prevent them from forming. Here’s how it works:

Proactive vs. reactive gritting

Proactive gritting occurs before ice forms, while reactive gritting happens once the snow or ice is already present. A good gritting service will monitor weather forecasts to ensure your premises are treated ahead of freezing conditions.

Target areas

High-traffic zones such as car parks, walkways, loading bays and entrances are given priority to ensure safe access. Roads within your property, especially inclines and exposed areas prone to frost, are also key targets for gritting.

Timing is critical

Gritting is most effective when done before ice has had the chance to form. Professional services typically operate on a 24/7 basis, and monitor weather conditions in real-time to ensure timely application of grit.

The benefits of SPA Landscaping’s professional gritting services

Expertise and equipment

We have access to specialist equipment - both manual and machine - and vehicles designed to efficiently cover large areas for ice and snow clearance. Our team of highly-knowledgeable gritting professionals are trained to ensure even coverage to minimise waste and maximise the safety of your property.

Weather monitoring

Instead of constantly checking forecasts and second-guessing when to grit, we will handle it for you. At SPA Landscaping, we utilise multiple advanced weather monitoring systems, including postcode and grid reference monitors, to accurately predict freezing conditions and ensure gritting is carried out at the optimal time.

Tailored plans

We know that every property is different, which is why we conduct a full-site survey to identify potential hazards and high-risk areas. This allows us to develop a tailored winter maintenance plan that meets the specific needs of your site.

Cost-effective

Attempting to manage gritting in-house can lead to higher costs due to lack of expertise, wasted materials or inappropriate timing. Professional gritting services provide a cost-effective solution by optimising grit use and ensuring the right areas are treated at the right time.

24/7 availability

Winter weather is unpredictable, and icy conditions can occur overnight or early in the morning. Our winter services operate on a 24/7 call-out basis, 365 days a year, to ensure your commercial property is always taken care of. Treating your property outside of business hours also reduces the risk of disruption during working hours.

How to choose the right winter gritting service with SPA Landscaping

At SPA Landscaping, we work with each client to establish the most suitable solution for them. Here are our two most popular call-out options to give you an idea of the seasonal gritting work that we do:

Customer trigger

As the client, you have your own alert system to notify us when our staff are needed. This could be as simple as sending an email instruction in response to adverse weather forecasts, or utilising an automated client trigger system that directly informs our offices when you require our services.

Automatic trigger

We use our own company trigger system, which is linked to multiple weather forecasts specifically designed for winter conditions. Example triggers for gritting include a forecasted temperature of 0ºC and a 25% chance of snowfall. These triggers are customised to meet both client needs and site-specific requirements.

Partnering with SPA Landscaping

Keeping your commercial property ice-free during the winter months is not only a legal and moral obligation, but also a smart business decision. By investing in professional winter gritting services, you can protect your business from liability, reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your operations continue smoothly, even in the worst weather conditions.

At SPA Landscaping, we specialise in winter gritting services tailored to the unique needs of your commercial property. Our expert team is on hand 24/7 to ensure your site remains safe and accessible throughout the winter months. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help keep your business ice-free this winter.

Contact Us

Stay ahead of winter weather and keep your property safe with our professional gritting services. Get in touch with SPA Landscaping today for your customised winter maintenance plan, or to learn more about our winter gritting and snow clearance and grounds maintenance services.

Telephone: (0114) 269 9119

Email: info@spalandscaping.co.uk