The Pros and Cons of DIY Winter Gritting

Periods of cold weather and ice present daily challenges for property managers and facilities teams. Ensuring your site remains safe, compliant, and operational during such conditions is crucial.

While many organisations opt for professional winter maintenance services, others choose to manage gritting in-house. But is DIY gritting the best option for your business? Let’s explore the pros and cons of handling winter gritting yourself.

The Pros of DIY Winter Gritting

1. Cost Control
   For smaller sites or businesses with adequate in-house resources, DIY gritting can be a cost-effective choice. Avoiding service provider fees may seem like an attractive option, especially if your team is already trained and equipped to handle the work.
2. Immediate Control Over Operations
   Managing gritting internally gives you flexibility in timing and coverage. Your team can react quickly to immediate needs without waiting for external providers, provided accurate weather forecasts and salt supplies are readily available of course.
3. Customisation
   DIY allows you to target specific known problem areas, such as high-traffic zones or spots prone to ice accumulation, tailoring the service to your site’s unique requirements.

The Cons of DIY Winter Gritting

1. Training and Liability Risks
   Without proper training, sending unqualified staff out to grit could create more risk than it solves. Accidents caused by incorrect gritting methods or inadequate spread rates might lead to significant liability issues, potentially costing tens of thousands of pounds in claims.
2. Resource Demands
   Effective winter gritting requires the right materials, tools, and timing. You’ll need sufficient salt supplies and access to reliable weather forecasts. Salt application must happen before freezing conditions set in, which often means working outside of normal operating hours.
3. Material and Equipment Challenges
   Salt shortages are common during severe weather, making early bulk purchases essential to ensure full coverage at vital times. Fortunately, OUTCO always has a plentiful supply of salt stock, however, specialised equipment like truck-mounted ploughs or spreaders might be necessary for larger sites, adding to costs and logistical considerations when DIY gritting.
4. Reliability of Forecasting
   Precision is critical. General weather forecasts are often inadequate for gritting purposes; instead, site-specific road surface temperature data is necessary to ensure timely and effective action. Without accurate forecasting, your efforts may fall short.

Balancing DIY Efforts with Professional Support

While DIY gritting offers autonomy and potential cost savings, it comes with risks and operational challenges. For businesses managing larger or more complex sites, partnering with a professional winter maintenance provider like OUTCO can provide significant advantages:

• Expertise and Assurance: Trained teams, advanced equipment, and years of experience ensure safety and efficiency. OUTCO’s services include proactive gritting based on , so you don’t have to worry about timing​​.
• Comprehensive Resources: OUTCO’s salt supplies, grit bin provision and fleet of specialised vehicles, along with a 24/7 helpdesk eliminate the logistical hurdles of DIY​​.
• Full Compliance: With detailed service logs, GPS tracking, and liability protection, OUTCO ensures health and safety compliance, safeguarding your business against potential claims​​.

Making the Right Choice

If you’re determined to continue with DIY gritting, ensure your team has the proper training, equipment, and materials in place. OUTCO offers LANTRA-accredited training and expert advice to support those managing gritting in-house, as well as equipment such as grit bins, loose salt and salt bags, along with specialist de-icing products.

Whether you decide to handle gritting yourself or work with a trusted partner, the priority is keeping your site safe and compliant during these challenging winter months.

To learn more about OUTCO’s winter gritting services or training options, call 0800 0432 911 or visit outco.co.uk​​.