Preparing buildings for winter

The start of autumn means the start of shorter days, lower temperatures, and undesirable weather conditions. Chris Budd, Head of UK Sales at Watco, the UK’s leading manufacturer of industrial strength flooring products, gives tips and advice on jobs to be done now. 

1 – Waterproofing

Winter weather in the UK usually means rain, rain and more rain! So it is really important that buildings are prepared and damp proofed as soon as possible, both inside and out. Damp can be an expensive and dangerous problem – it can affect plaster, rendering and cause timber decay, and excess moisture may well cause damage to office equipment, furniture and paperwork. In many industries where hygiene is imperative, it is particularly important that mould or mildew is not able to develop. Applying a flexible waterproof coating bridges gaps and cracks in walls and allows the substrate to breathe. A damp proof paint, or anti mould paint helps resist mould growth, and is particularly useful in basements or any area with a damp problem.

2 – Prevent Slips and Trips

Slips, trips and falls at work are a serious issue, HSE reported that they account for over a third of employee injuries, and make up more than half of all reported major/specified injuries. With wet weather, leaves, and icy conditions becoming a hazard outdoors anti-slip flooring is a necessity. Anti-slip coatings, indestructible GRP products and Anti Slip Tapes can help prevent these accidents. For hazardous areas heavy duty anti slip epoxy resin floor paint is designed to provide excellent slip resistance and minimise the risk of accidents. Matting is also a great way to prevent slips, and can be used as a temporary or permanent measure, especially for use on roofs.

3 – Repairing Your Roofs

Damaged, tired, and worn out roofs can cause a lot of problems, especially in winter months. Roof leaks can be incredibly costly in the long term if not repaired, causing a range of problems including mould, damp, and plaster damage. For a long lasting solution a fibre reinforced rubber and bitumen roof coating will prolong the life of a roof by weathering the elements as well as bridging cracks. Fix a leaking roof using repair mortar, which can be trowellable, flexible and waterproof, ideal when working on flat roofs, slate roofs and even gutter repair

About Watco:

Watco is the UK’s leading manufacturer and direct supplier of exceptional quality industrial strength flooring products. In business since 1927, all Watco products are designed, developed and manufactured in-house by the company’s own team of chemists, technical advisors and production specialists. All manufacturing is conducted in the UK making Watco uniquely placed to guarantee all elements of the company’s products and service – including ISO 9001 Certification, a recognised standard for quality management.

Watco offers a wide range of over 65 specialist coatings, concrete repair materials and anti-slip products for floors, steps and ramps to ensure that any workplace remains as safe as possible. The company also has a popular range of wall damp proofing and roof waterproofing products. With over 35,000 customers, they include large commercial organisations, local authorities and schools, architects and contractors of all sizes.

Company contact:

Chris Budd

Head of UK Sales

sales@watco.co.uk

01483 418 418

Web: www.watco.co.uk