Winter Tips for your business
09/02/2021
Watertight for Winter

Even though you can’t stop the cold weather coming, there are numerous tips you can follow when preparing your business for those chilly winter months. Here are our six top tips for winter proofing your business.

1. Locate your stopcock

Pipes can often freeze when the cold weather hits and frozen pipes can burst due to built up pressure. If this event occurs, you’ll need to shut off your mains using your stopcock, therefore ensure you know where your stopcock is located. Once you’ve shut off your mains, melt the blockage in your frozen pipes using a hot water bottle. 

2. Bleed your radiators

Remember to periodically use your radiators, this allows the thermostatic radiator valve to be opened, assuring your radiators are ready to heat up your home this winter. If the radiators are cold at the top it is possible that there is air trapped in the heating system. Bleed radiators allowing any air to escape. Remember to check your system pressure afterwards if necessary.

3. Clear your guttering

During the winter months water getting into your walls can cause damp and damage. Make sure your guttering is clear of sticks and leaves allowing water to be carried away from your business premises, preventing damp.

4. Look for an energy efficient system

Did you know that the energy used by your boiler accounts for over half of your annual energy bill? The older a boiler gets, the less efficient it becomes and it grows harder to source replacement parts in the event of a breakdown. If your boiler is getting older or less reliable, consider replacing it with an A-rated high efficiency condensing boiler. For more information call  SES Home Services  on 020 8722 7000

5.Complete your summer service

Your boiler is working at its full capacity during the winter months, it’s therefore important to ensure your boiler is in full working order to see you through the winter season. Ensure your boiler receives its annual service during the summer. This way, you can rest easy that your boiler is ready to get to work when you need it most.

6. Switch on your boiler

We recommend switching on your boiler at least once a month, giving you the opportunity to identify any boiler malfunctions. If there is a fault with your boiler, please contact SES Home Services on 020 8722 7000. 

If you find yourself without any heating or hot water this winter, this heating tips video from SES Home Services will take you through some simple steps you can carry out to try and fix your heating issue, before calling out an engineer. 
The tech that is preventing winter absence
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

SES Business Water's MD, Giuseppe Di Vita suggests some ways to prepare for winter...

When preparing your business for winter, there are a number of building-related issues which might arise and it pays to be well prepared for these.

However, problems such as burst pipes and snow on the office roof are only one half of the story. As we head into the colder months, many businesses will overlook the potential impact on their business of staff absence, which can often be higher during the winter due to adverse weather conditions and illness. If your staff can’t come into the office, then they often can’t do their job; this means that during the winter, your operations can be seriously affected. With the right technology, however, your employees don’t have to be in the office to be productive. By giving your staff the tools to keep on working even when they have to remain at home, you can ensure that your business doesn’t suffer over the winter months.

Here are just a few ways you can use tech to stay open for business this winter...

Mobile devices

Providing workers with more mobile computing devices is a good first step. In today’s digital society, you don’t need to be at a desktop computer to get online. Mobile broadband, along with web and mobile apps, mean that your employees can stay connected on laptops, netbooks, tablets and mobiles.

Secure networking

Setting up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is advisable.  A VPN allows workers to connect to your office-based network wherever they are, so they can access all the local network resources that they would typically only be able to access while on site. Creating a VPN also prevents workers from sending information over a publicly accessible network such as the Internet, instead transferring data over a secure connection – so you can rest assured that any sensitive information sent via VPN is safe from hackers.

It’s important to note that a VPN won’t be the right solution for every business; smaller businesses in particular may find setting up a VPN to be cost-prohibitive. There are plenty of less costly options for sharing documents online; with cloud services such as Dropbox having ideal solutions for all types of business.

Meet up from remote locations

Investment in video conferencing technology could also be highly beneficial when managing employees that are working from home. Rather than missing important meetings, those who are unable to get into the office can simply dial into the meeting online. Having a video feature means that those outside of the office don’t miss a thing. If video conferencing seems like overkill, a simple conference line which you can all dial into, or an online service like Skype might be just the job.

While setting up and supporting mobile working technology may require some initial investment, there are options available to suit all budgets. Being prepared for winter will provide the valuable peace of mind that when the weather stops your staff from getting to the office, it won't stop them from being productive at home.

For other ways to ensure your business is watertight this winter click here.
Three simple changes to save your business money this winter
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

Gone are the days of simply accepting large utility bills as a necessary part of running a business. Energy bills make up around 20% of the average office building running costs and in the majority of cases those bills are rising faster than inflation; meaning that businesses now have a sharper focus on achieving energy efficiency and better managing energy budgets*.

However, whilst many companies will already be working towards reducing and controlling their gas and power costs, many may not have yet maximised on the opportunities available for better management of their water bills. Here we take a look at a few of the things your business could be doing to better manage both your energy and your water bills this winter:

1. Optimise your boiler performance

Your boiler is where your energy and water use meets, and an efficiently running boiler will help you manage your energy bills whilst it simultaneously protects your hot water supply this winter. As the temperature goes down, your business’ dependency on your boiler goes up. Without it you can’t keep your buildings at the minimum working temperature of 16 degrees Celsius or run hot water, meaning a problem with your boiler could force you to ‘shut up shop’ until issues can be resolved. You’ll not only lose revenue, but also incur the costs of getting your boiler fixed. It’s for these reasons that regular boiler services should be at the top of your winter priority list.

2. Change the way you pay

Spreading the costs of your water bills over the months of the year could help with cash flow and prevent you from having to pay a large quarterly bill at the end of the winter. When you run a business, whether large or small, you have so many things to think about; setting up a direct debit for secure monthly payments of your water bill as you probably already do for your energy bills, could mean one less thing to worry about this winter.

3. Fix those small issues

For those businesses who have a metered water supply, there may be changes you can make to cut down your consumption. This may mean small fixes to taps and sinks or even shorter flush settings on toilets. Alternatively, this may mean a more detailed check for hidden leaks and a wider water efficiency audit of your business. It could all add up to a significant reduction on your water bill.

If you’d like more information about the ways in which SES can help you to better manage your water bills this winter, please get in touch.

*facts from Harvard Business Review 2015
Reduce the risk of internal flooding essential information for businesses
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

With winter now upon us, there are some essential actions to prevent internal flooding, which every business should take.

In this blog, SES Business Water’s Managing Director, Giuseppe Di Vita offers businesses some practical advice for reducing internal flood risk at their premises:

Flood fact: 88% of insurance claims for damage caused by burst pipes happen in December and January.

Floods – the basics

With flooding now accounting for 10% of major business disruptions, all businesses should be aware of potential risk of internal flooding from faulty or frozen pipework over the winter months.

It’s often the case that businesses take preventative action against burglary or fire risk, but the majority tend to overlook the risks that winter presents when it comes to water.

Get watertight this winter!

There are some quick and easy things you can do this winter to prevent damage from internal flooding :

  • To prevent frozen pipes, insulate water tanks and lag pipework.
  • Fix leaks and dripping taps; even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe.
  • Know where your property’s internal stopcock is and make sure you can turn it off if necessary.
  • Create an action plan containing key contacts and contingencies and keep your insurance policy in a secure, accessible place.

Floods are just one part of the puzzle; as cold, snow and ice can also wreak havoc on your business. As the days and nights get colder and wetter, take time to think about all of the equipment you rely on for your water supply but which rarely gets your attention, such as your stop cock, ball-valves and – most importantly of all – your boiler.

Don’t forget that it’s vital to keep your heating on and set to a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius, even when the buildings are empty. Servicing your boiler now is one great way to avoid costly repairs later. It will also make sure you never have to close for the day because you can’t put the heating on!

We’re here to help!

We can’t control the weather for you, but we can help you make on-site changes to protect your business from floods and the other problems it causes. We’ve launched our Pick ‘n’ Fix offer because we’re committed to helping businesses prepare for winter. Until the end of February 2017, our full range of essential fixes are only £50 each.

Read more about Pick ‘n’ Fix

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It’s easier to get watertight for winter when you get the whole team involved. Why not download and print our brand new ‘Internal Flooding and businesses – The Facts’ infographic?
A winter warmer for your team and your business!
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

Here at SES Business Water, we understand that the winter puts a little extra pressure on your business. That’s why we’ve decided to offer one lucky regional business the opportunity to win a fantastic £1000 to treat their team. What better way to keep spirits high during the long, cold winter months!

The winning business, along with three runners up, will also receive an expert Watertight Makeover, allowing them to choose three essential fixes from the SES Business Water Pick ‘n’ Fix range of services – worth £150. Entering only takes a minute, and could make a big difference to your business this winter.

Enter now by visiting www.sesbusinesswater.co.uk/win

Here in the UK, winter can often mean not only freezing temperatures and possibly snow, but also rain, rain and more rain. Bad weather and flooding costs businesses of all sizes thousands of pounds each and every year. For smaller businesses, losses could threaten survival - but despite the worrying statistics around winter damage, around 60% of UK businesses have no plans in place.

If you would like to discover more about how to protect your business from winter damage, about the small changes which could make a really big difference, and about how SES Business Water can help, you’ll find everything you need right here on our winter hub.
Get watertight for winter in three easy steps
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

Here in the UK, winter can often mean not only freezing temperatures and possible snow, but also rain, rain and more rain! Bad weather and flooding costs businesses of all sizes thousands of pounds each and every year.

So as the winter weather sets in, what can you do to get your business watertight and avoid those costly repairs and lost revenue? It all begins with these three steps…

Information

Whether your business occupies one relatively small office building or several sprawling sites, it will have areas that are vulnerable to bad weather. Begin your winter preparation by making sure you know exactly what and where those vulnerabilities are. Are there areas of roof, or windows and doors that need attention, or exposed outdoor pipes that are not protected from possible impact or damage? Do you have valuable stock or movable equipment in areas which are prone to flooding? How reliable is your heating system and what are the winter settings? Look for all sort of problems large and small, as even seemingly insignificant outstanding repairs - such as dripping sinks or a boiler which has gone too long without a service - could quickly become a much bigger problem when bad weather hits.

Did you know? Reliable heating is a business essential: The UK Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius. If the work involves rigorous physical effort, the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius.

Prevention

Once you’ve got a good insight into how your business might be affected by bad weather, it’s time to start putting measurements in place to protect against it. Pipes that are exposed to the cold should be lagged, and insulation in colder areas of your buildings can also work wonders. Repair roof tiles to prevent ice getting into and enlarging the gaps. Having the health of your boiler thoroughly checked and keeping your heating set to a minimum of 4 degrees, even when buildings are unoccupied, will also help ensure you avoid cracked and frozen pipes - one major cause of flooding. Getting small repairs sorted early is the trick to preventing bigger problems; a little time and money spent now will make a huge difference to the amount you may need to spend on repairs in the longer term. Check for dripping sinks and ball valves, or faulty stop cocks, and make sure your boiler has had a recent service. SES Business Water customers might like to try our £50 Pick ‘n’ Fix service. You can also get everybody behind your bad weather prevention by sharing some of the facts – why not download and display our handy infographic?

Planning

If the worst does happen and your business is hit by extreme weather, having a plan in place could be the difference between staying open and closing down – especially for smaller businesses. Exactly what you need to do will be very specific to the type and size of business you are, but the plans you have should ideally cover everything from who to call for help and repairs and the level of insurance cover you need, through to enabling your workforce to keep on working, whatever the weather.

Make sure you communicate these plans to the whole workforce and involve them in the actions you take to get ready for winter. That way, when your business is affected by cold, snow or flooding, your team will know how to keep your business going.

If you’d like some further help and advice on getting watertight for winter, we’re here when you need us.

Why not get in touch today?
The real cost of winter damage to businesses
16/01/2017
Watertight for Winter

Last winter, the UK saw record levels of rainfall, with storms Desmond, Eva and Frank causing disruption in communities across the UK. Winter weather like this can lead to serious problems for businesses, leaving many with significant costs.

The final bill for repairs from winter 15/16 was over £1 billion, according to the Association of British Insurers. There were over 5,000 insurance claims made by businesses for property damaged by flooding after the storms, which demonstrates just how extensive the problem can be. The true number of businesses affected by the floods is likely to have been higher, as some would have been uninsured.

Smaller businesses are particularly vulnerable when extreme weather strikes. The average losses from a flood are £28,000, and with cash flow often being paramount within smaller businesses, flooding can threaten their survival. That’s why it’s important for all businesses – large or small – to ensure that they know how to protect against winter damage and get ready for whatever the weather has in store. Despite the worrying figures around winter damage, around 60% of UK businesses have no plans in place. This is particularly surprising considering that almost two thirds of small businesses have been adversely affected by snow and flooding within the last three years.

To find out how to start making preparations for winter, why not check out our 3 top tips? And if you’re worried about leaks, floods or frozen pipes, you can also speak to the experts at SES Business Water. Get in touch today to find out more.
Infographic: Flooding and Businesses - The Facts
12/12/2016
Watertight for Winter

Flooding is the cause of almost 1 in 10 major business disruptions. This infographic is a visual guide to the simple ways you can protect your business from water damage and limit the impact if flooding does happen.

Download PDF
Infographic: Get Watertight for Winter
04/11/2016
Watertight for Winter

Each winter businesses face costly repairs and lost revenue due to low temperatures, bad weather and flooding.

Our infographic shows you the simple steps you can follow to get watertight for winter.

Download PDF
One burst pipe could leave you with a repair bill of £5K!
06/04/2016
Watertight for Winter

Damage and losses caused by bad weather have affected two thirds of small to medium sized businesses in the last three years, with the average cost of flood damage reaching £28K - yet many businesses have no bad weather plan in place.

We’re helping businesses get watertight for winter, by providing a range of no-nonsense tips, facts and advice. Here on our winter hub, you’ll find all of the information you need to protect your business this winter. When a single burst water pipe could leave you with a £5,000 repair bill – on top of lost revenue while the repairs are being carried out – it pays to prepare your business for winter.

SES Business Water have discovered that many businesses have no plan in place for extreme weather, despite experts predicting that winter 16/17 will see the heaviest snowfall in years. That’s why we’ve set out to help as many businesses as possible get watertight for winter.

Here on our winter hub, you’ll find all the information you need to protect your business from winter disruption. Whether you need advice on technology that will keep workers connected when they can’t get into the office, or tips on how to save money over winter, we’ve got it covered.

You can also take advantage of our Pick ’n’ Fix offer to ensure that the maintenance work you’ve been meaning to do for a while gets done before winter kicks in. You can choose one of our five winter essentials - from a boiler service to repairs on a leaky sink – and pay only £50 for the service. If you’d like to talk to us about getting your business ready for winter, please get in touch.