With nights drawing in and the temperature getting cooler by the day, we are starting to think of the winter months and what that means for our business. While none of us wants to be thinking of the cold mornings and dark evenings, it’s important to start and prepare for the next few months now.

Winter has the potential to get nasty here in the UK, with strong winds, temperatures below 0°, ice, snow and lots and lots of rain. It is a nightmare for all of us and can lead to slower project progress than we would like, and even create more risk of injury. So how can you keep your site going and stay productive during the colder months?

At Stop Digging we appreciate the struggles in winter, as that was one of the driving forces behind our ground screw design. So here are five tips we have found useful to ensure you can carry on working no matter the time of year:

1.   Monitor the forecast

We are not unfamiliar with this here in the UK, and it may sound like common sense, but it is so important to keep up to date with weather changes throughout the week. As you keep track of the changes, then you may be able to move jobs to when would be most appropriate to carry them out. When it’s wet outside, scheduling inside jobs can save time and also keep your staff dry.

2.   Planning early on

The time to start thinking about the effect the winter will have on your site is during the warmer weather when you can do something to help keep things moving later on. Think about warm break areas so that your staff have a place to dry off and warm up. Also, extra lighting is a good idea to invest in so that the site can continue to work safely and constructively when the sun goes down. Portable heaters are another investment to consider, as bare unfurnished buildings can sometimes feel colder than outside.

3.   Good scheduling

When planning your jobs over the next few months try to think about the stages of your different projects, so you can keep them weather appropriate. This also applies to your scheduling when and what your staff will be working on during the day. Making sure outside work is done in shorter durations is helpful for your staff so that they are not exposed to the elements for too long. This can reduce sickness, and ensure you have a full team when you need them.

4.   Have the right equipment

Having the right equipment and materials for your winter jobs can make a big difference to the flow of work. For example, one of the best ways to keep your site on track is to use Stop Diggings ground screws instead of concrete where possible. If your team is digging foundations and laying concrete, the weather can play a big part in jobs being delayed, as the concrete needs the right conditions to dry before the job can continue. On the other hand, ground screws can be supplied and installed in any weather conditions (even snow and ice). And they also only take a few hours to install so it can save you both time and money, keeping you on-site and on time.

5.   Health and safety

According to the HSE, falls are the most common cause of injury and death in the construction industry. While this is true year-round, with the added elements of cold, ice and slippery surfaces with the rain, it’s important to keep an eye on the health safety measures that are in place on-site.

A couple of areas to keep an eye on:

• Make sure walkways are gritted.
• Provide cold weather PPE so when tradespeople are working outside they are fully insulated to retain body heat and prevent the cold weather from affecting them.
• Regularly checking the site to see if the weather has caused any new hazards, especially after any strong storms.

By putting these five tips in place, and good planning, you can ensure your site stays on time and productive this winter, no matter the weather! If you would like more information on how you can use Stop Digging ground screws to keep your business running during winter then contact us on: SALES@STOPDIGGING.CO.UK or 020 3970 3979

Timber frame construction has started to become more popular recently as people look into the options for constructing their own projects. Timber frame construction is a method of construction that uses prefabricated timber studs and rails to create a structural frame which then can be used as the foundation for many buildings.

Timber frame projects work really well with ground screws, and here at Stop Digging we have worked on many projects over the last few years and we have seen first-hand the advantages of using this method. Here are a few of the benefits we have found with timber frame construction.

Sustainable

Sustainable is becoming much more than an “it” word recently with most designs being looked at with a more sustainable outlook. Timber is recognised as the only renewable construction material and because of that is being considered more and more for projects. Not only is the material itself sustainable but it is also energy efficient as a natural insulator.

Timber frame construction can also use ground screws as the foundation support. Stop Digging ground screws emit up to 60% less CO2 than traditional concrete plinths and are also recyclable. Thinking sustainably from the bottom up in the project can have a real impact long term.

Speed

It is on average 30% quicker to build with timber than typical bricks and mortar. It can be made watertight in a much quicker time than a traditional build, which has a big impact on the flow and speed of the build. A quicker turnaround means you can take on more jobs, and essentially earn more money, which is always an advantage.

Not as weather dependant

As mentioned, timber frame buildings can be made watertight quickly and can easily be erected in bad weather. Assembling bricks is massively reliant on having good weather and can have an impact on the further stages of the build. This is an important benefit especially in temperamental weather conditions like here in the Uk.

Flexible specifications & Innovative design

The more flexible the material the more interesting designs can be created using the material. Take a look at some of the projects we have worked on at Stop Digging to see the variety of designs and specifications here.

Less reliant on specific wet trades

With the skills shortage we are seeing here in the UK being at the forefront of many construction owners’ minds, having projects where you don’t have to rely so much on certain trades is a massive benefit.

Timber frame construction popularity doesn’t look like it is waning, for good reason. If you want a quick, inventive and sustainable build then go for a timber frame project. If you would like to see how Stop Digging ground screws could work with your construction project then please feel free to get in touch at:  SALES@STOPDIGGING.CO.UK or 020 3970 3979

Sustainable house ideas

Sustainability has become a buzzword in the last few years, and understandably so. According to the UK Green Building Council, the construction industry contributes to 10% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. With the Climate Change Act of 2008 legally binding target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, many projects are being looked at in a different light. Projects are becoming less about the aesthetic and more about creative solutions to create a sustainable build.
So how can you make a sustainable home or project? Here are three main areas you can consider:
– Materials
– Water and Heating
– Foundation

Eco-friendly Materials

Choosing eco-friendly materials is one of the most important considerations when planning your construction. The ‘Fabric First’ method of building design has become more popular and means maximising the properties of the materials you use. This aims to minimise energy consumption by maximising airtightness, optimising natural ventilation, and using thermal mass from the building mass itself.

So when looking at materials, think not only about using reclaimed and recycled materials, but also those that will reduce carbon emissions by optimising thermal performance. Some of the most eco-friendly construction materials are:
● Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most popular materials on the market. Inexpensive, light and strong it has been used for centuries as a building material and is having a resurgence in the UK.
● Cork
Cork is a great water-resistant, fire-resistant material that naturally grows as the bark of the cork oak.
● Hempcrete
By mixing the inner hemp fibres of a hemp plant and lime, you can get a concrete-like substance that is a natural alternative.

Water and Heating

We all know that gas and electricity are one of the main challenges when it comes to creating a sustainable project. Central heating is undergoing a change and many great low energy solutions are coming onto the market providing an alternative. Ground and air source heat pumps may require an initial investment, but work out as great value if you look at the long view. There are constantly new technologies coming onto the market so if you do your research you will find something appropriate. Recycling wastewater is another great simple way to create a more sustainable environment in your home. Investing in a greywater system can take your wastewater and reuse it for washing machines or toilets. Also in areas of high rainfall, a reserve tank can be set up to collect water for use later in the garden.

Foundations

When it comes to building a house, such as a timber-framed or SIP panel house, Stop Digging ground screws are a very eco-friendly alternative to the traditional concrete foundation. As you don’t have to dig, it means minimal disruption to the area and also is much more environmentally friendly. An equivalent concrete support gives off 50% more carbon dioxide than a ground screw does, and with the wide range of sizes and lengths, Stop Digging ground screws can be used for a variety of structures. Creating a sustainable home or building project might require some research and investment, but will result in a long-lasting build that will complement the environment around it.

If you would like to talk to us about how ground screws can help you with your project please contact us at: sales@stopdigging.co.uk / 020 3970 3979