Over the course of lockdown, we’ve seen some serious weather extremes; from unseasonable sweltering stretches to sudden cold snaps and storms, we’ve had our eyes on the forecast more than ever lately! But during the summer months we expect a temperate climate with just the odd smattering of rain – which leads to us letting our guard down.
With the climate changing, it's forecast that the UK will see more rain with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events. In turn, torrential rain is likely to become much more regular, and torrential rain comes with its own dangers.
The danger of sudden downpours
Torrential rain isn't just a headache for people who get caught in it. It can cause real issues for businesses; sudden downpours can flood car parks, making drains overflow and causing water to back up and enter your property. Heavy rain can lead to a build-up of debris in the drains, causing blockages.
Drains can only deal with a certain amount of rainfall. When that capacity is exceeded, the water will begin to overflow, and that overflow can contain sewage and other waste from our pipe systems. As well as being a health and safety risk, the clean-up costs can be considerable if that overflow enters your premises.
Working gutters are essential if your business property is to be resilient in the face of torrential rain. Clogged gutters can lead to overflow which can cause damp, mould and bacteria, damage to the walls, insulation and ceilings as well as foundation damage and wood rot. Ensuring they're free of blockages is essential.
Concreted business grounds can add to the risk
Many business premises are almost entirely concreted. This is usually done because it's believed to reduce the amount of maintenance needed. This isn't always the case - particularly where heavy rain is concerned. Cracked and broken concrete can be exacerbated as a result of rain, and hard surfaces give nowhere for water to go other than through guttering.
A rain strategy should include soft landscaping
Grass, shrubs and other planting can help to reduce the impact of heavy rain. Grass and trees have been shown to reduce flood risk, ease the pressure on drainage systems and reduce costs. Green areas around commercial buildings have also been shown to raise staff morale.
Weedfree Landscapes can help improve your business resilience to torrential rain with our soft-landscaping services. We can lay grass using seed and turf, plant shrubs and trees and even develop a wildlife-friendly, low-maintenance meadow area. We can also take care of the regular maintenance, keeping your green areas looking their best all year round.
Why not get in touch with our friendly, professional team for advice and a free quote?
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