Winter weather in the South East is increasingly unpredictable.
A crisp, sunny morning can quickly lead to a severe sub-zero freeze; heavy winter rainfall can cause flash surface flooding; and persistent dry weather can leave vital underground water reserves dangerously low.
Whatever the weather brings this season, protecting your site is critical. A single burst pipe during a freeze-thaw can cause thousands of pounds in flood damage and halt operations, while low winter groundwater recharge threatens long-term supply resilience.
We are here to help you stay ahead of winter risks. Rather than simply asking you to use less water, we are actively supporting local businesses with practical expertise, site audits, free equipment, and non-potable water solutions.
Understanding operational risks
Winter scenarios bring complex operational threats. Varying seasonal weather conditions impact your site infrastructure and network supply continuity in distinct ways:
Freeze, ice and snow: Sub-zero temperatures freeze trapped water inside uninsulated pipes, causing trapped water to expand by 9% and crack pipework.
Drier conditions than expected: Unseasonably dry or warm winter spells fail to replenish depleted underground aquifers and groundwater reserves.
Heavy rain and downpours: Heavy winter rainfall overburdens surface drainage systems and runs off hard surfaces without recharging deep aquifers.
Clear and mild spells: Temperature fluctuations mask background leaks, while low-occupancy periods leave running water unchecked.
How you can protect your business this winter
Whatever the weather, taking these steps will build operational resilience across your business:
Insulate exposed pipes and water storage tanks
Pipes running through unheated or draughty spaces—such as basements, roof spaces, attics, and external wall voids - are the most vulnerable to freezing.
- Lag your pipes: Fit quality foam or mineral wool pipe insulation around all exposed internal and external pipework.
- Protect storage tanks: Wrap water cisterns and header tanks located in unheated loft areas with insulated tank jackets.
- Top tip: Schedule an annual winter check-up to assess the condition of pipe lagging and heating systems before the first cold snap hits.
Locate your stop tap and keep emergency contacts ready
In the event of a burst pipe or sudden leak, shutting off your water supply quickly is the single most effective way to prevent catastrophic flooding.
- Find your stop tap: Ensure you know the exact location of your internal stop tap and test that it turns smoothly.
- Compile emergency details: Keep contact numbers for an approved emergency plumber and ours readily available.
- Top tip: Share the location of the stop tap and your emergency contacts with key team members so someone is always prepared to act if an issue arises when you are off-site.
Set reminders to keep heating on low over closures and holidays
Leaving commercial premises unheated over weekends or holiday shutdowns significantly increases the risk of frozen pipes.
- Maintain ambient heat: Set your thermostats to maintain a minimum temperature of 4°C throughout the building at all times, even when unoccupied.
- Top tip: Set recurring calendar reminders for planned shutdown dates, and use smart thermostats or remote temperature monitors that can alert you if temperatures fall below a safe threshold.
Schedule a pre-winter professional plumbing inspection
A preventive survey by an approved plumber can resolve minor defects before freezing temperatures turn them into major incidents.
- System audit: Have a licensed professional test isolation valves, check for hidden leaks, inspect boiler feeds, and evaluate your pipe insulation.
- Top tip: Pre-winter inspections are especially critical if you occupy older or listed commercial properties, where legacy plumbing and aging insulation often require reinforcement.
Winterise outdoor taps and external equipment
External fixtures and water systems are exposed to the harshest conditions and require seasonal shutdown procedures.
- Drain outdoor lines: Isolate and drain external taps, hose reels, and automated irrigation/sprinkler systems.
- Store hoses: Disconnect, drain, and store hoses indoors to prevent water inside them from expanding and cracking the fittings.
- Insulate outside runs: Ensure any external plumbing that cannot be isolated is heavily lagged with weather-resistant materials.
- Top tip: Conduct a perimeter walk of your property before winter arrives to spot and secure any uninsulated outdoor water lines or equipment.
Prepare contingency plans for winter power cuts
Severe storms can disrupt power grids, shutting down your heating system and leaving pipes vulnerable to sub-zero temperatures.
- Reinforce insulation: Extra insulation in critical plant and plumbing zones buys crucial time during extended outages.
- Emergency heat and power: Where appropriate, maintain safe backup heating options or generator arrangements to protect sensitive operations and keep indoor temperatures above freezing.
- Top tip: Install battery-backed smart alerts or remote environmental monitors that notify facilities managers immediately if a facility loses mains power or indoor temperatures plummet.
Review and check your business insurance policy
Even with thorough precautions, winter weather can lead to leaks, structural damage, and unexpected disruption.
- Verify cover: Review your policy wording carefully to ensure you are covered for frozen and burst pipes, water escape, flood damage, and business interruption.
- Understand requirements: Check for policy conditions regarding minimum building temperatures or routine inspection frequencies during holiday closures.
- Top tip: Store digital copies of your insurance policy, policy numbers, and claims contact lines securely in cloud storage or on mobile devices for instant retrieval during an emergency.
Document your premises, stock, and business assets
Having up-to-date visual records expedites insurance claims and helps settle disputes quickly should winter water damage occur.
- Create an asset record: Maintain a detailed written and photographic inventory of high-value machinery, IT equipment, stock, and fixtures.
- Highlight vulnerable areas: Pay special attention to documenting items stored near cold walls, basements, or beneath main water lines.
- Top tip: Take comprehensive, dated photos of the exterior of your buildings, roofs, and outbuildings, as severe weather can damage outdoor structures as well as internal assets.
- Top tip: Store digital copies of your insurance policy, policy numbers, and claims contact lines securely in cloud storage or on mobile devices for instant retrieval during an emergency.
Designate winter responsibilities for key staff
Empowering your team ensures swift, coordinated action during adverse weather.
- Assign roles: Designate specific employees responsible for monitoring heating settings, checking premises during closures, reporting leaks, and coordinating emergency contractors.
- Top tip: Host a brief annual winter briefing with your team to walk them through the emergency stop tap location, shutdown protocols, and contact lists.
Secure your business whatever the weather
- Download our winter checklist: Have a look at our step-by-step NHH Winter Preparedness Checklist(opens in a new tab) and emergency plumber directory.
- Water-saving site visits: We’re offering free water-saving visits to schools and public buildings but are looking to expand this to other sectors soon. Get in touch with our Water Efficiency team(opens in a new tab) for more information.
- Free devices and water-saving posters: Free devices(opens in a new tab) including tap aerators, eco-showerheads, cistern devices, and downloadable water-saving posters.
- Sign up to our newsletter: Stay up to date(opens in a new tab) with the latest operational news and get the latest water-saving tips delivered straight to your inbox every quarter.
- Receive real-time updates: Sign up to AquAlerter(opens in a new tab) to be notified about any water supply issues in your area.