It’s 3 AM, and James Mitchell’s phone is ringing. As Facilities Director for a major retail chain, he knows late-night calls rarely bring good news. Storm Bert has just torn through the UK, and three of his stores are reporting serious roof damage. Water is pouring into stockrooms, threatening thousands of pounds worth of inventory, and tomorrow’s trading hangs in jeopardy.
“That night was a wake-up call,” James explained. “We’ve always taken a reactive approach to roof maintenance and while it wasn’t ideal, it seemed more cost-effective—until it wasn’t.”
James’s story isn’t unique. As extreme weather events become more frequent across the UK, facility managers nationwide are facing similar crises with many bracing themselves for another round of emergency calls and rushed repairs.
The Perfect Storm – The Hidden Costs of Crisis Management
“What many don’t realise is that most storm damage isn’t really about the storm at all,” explains Phil Seaton, Operations Director at NSS. “It’s about the small vulnerabilities that existed long before the first gust of wind.”
Seaton has seen it countless times. A loose tile that could have been secured during routine maintenance becomes a major breach during high winds. Blocked gutters that should have been cleared lead to water ingress and internal damage. These aren’t just maintenance issues—they’re business continuity threats waiting to happen.
For James, that night led to more than just emergency repair bills. Three stores closed for emergency repairs, lost stock, disappointed customers, and demoralised staff, at the busiest time of year for the industry. The total cost? “Nearly ten times what we would have spent on annual preventative maintenance,” he admits. “And that’s not counting the reputational damage.”
This scenario plays out regularly across the country. When Storm Agnes hit last autumn, NSS’s emergency response team handled over 200 calls in 48 hours. “What’s striking,” Seaton notes, “is how many of these emergencies could have been prevented with regular maintenance.”
Changing the Narrative – Breaking the Reactive Cycle
The good news? Some organisations are learning from others’ misfortunes and are taking a different approach. For example, implementing a biannual maintenance program. This means when storms hit, it’s business as usual. An investment which pays for itself many times over in prevented disasters.
The solution isn’t complex, but it requires a shift in thinking. “Think of your roof like your car,” Seaton suggests. “You wouldn’t wait for your brakes to fail before getting them checked. Why treat your roof differently?”
NSS’s data shows that buildings on regular maintenance programs experience 80% fewer emergency incidents during severe weather. For many facilities managers, this statistic alone is reshaping their approach to roof management.
Building Storm Resilience
Resilience comes through adopting a proactive approach to roof maintenance, with regular inspections and preventative repairs. This means when the next storm warning comes, while you’ll still be concerned, you’ll be confident you’ve done everything possible to protect your properties and your business.
Confidence comes from having a comprehensive maintenance strategy in place:
- Regular professional inspections identifying potential vulnerabilities
- Scheduled maintenance addressing issues before they become problems
- Clear protocols for pre-storm preparation
- Reliable emergency response backup when needed
Proactive siphonic system surveys
Proactive siphonic system surveys have become increasingly critical in preventing storm-related damage. A comprehensive siphonic survey can identify the precise volume capabilities of existing gutters and drainage systems, highlighting potential weak points before they’re tested by severe weather.
By understanding your system’s actual capacity versus the potential rainfall volume, necessary upgrades or modifications can be implemented well before storm season. This preventive approach is particularly valuable given that many older systems were designed to handle historical rainfall patterns that may no longer reflect current weather trends.
To help businesses be better prepared, NSS now offers specialist siphonic surveys conducted by SDRA-certified experts, who can assess a system’s capacity and provide detailed recommendations for optimisation. This comprehensive inspection service includes a thorough evaluation of existing drainage systems, identification of potential bottlenecks, and practical solutions to enhance system performance helping you to handle whatever weather challenges lie ahead.
Looking to the Horizon
As the UK continues to face increased numbers of storms and an uncertain future of increasingly extreme weather, the message is clear: prevention isn’t just better than cure—it’s essential for business continuity.
“We’ll always maintain our emergency response capabilities,” Seaton says, “but our real mission is helping businesses avoid emergencies altogether. Every organisation that switches from reactive to preventative maintenance is a success story waiting to happen.”
For facility managers watching the weather forecast with growing concern, the question isn’t whether to act, but when, because the cost of waiting can be far higher than just a repair bill.
NSS provides nationwide specialist maintenance services through their fleet of truck-mounted access platforms and team of qualified professionals. As part of Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), they’re setting new standards in facility services across the UK. For more information about preventative maintenance programs or emergency response services, visit nssgroup.com