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With the UK getting the new year off to a chilly start, City Plumbing understands that winter weather brings more than just a cold snap. Creating a unique set of challenges for your vehicle and your property, winter has a habit of slowing down even the busiest schedule.
When the temperature drops, the stakes rise for trade professionals. Whether it’s a frozen windscreen delaying your first call-out or a slippery site posing a safety risk, being prepared for sub-zero temperatures means having the right tools for the job before the frost hits.
At City Plumbing, we know that staying on the road and keeping your workspace safe is non-negotiable. From professional-grade rock salt to essential van maintenance kits, here we break down the winter essentials, offering a quick guide to beating the chill, protecting your van, clearing your paths, and keeping you moving no matter what the British winter throws at you.
Essential Products Checklist To Beat The Chill
To support our UK customers during the colder months, our experts have pulled together a great set of everyday essentials. With fantastic bulk savings available on many of our essential products, here’s a quick checklist to get you through the winter:
Winter Checklist Summary
Primary Use: Ground De-Icing
Best Practice: Apply 20g per square metre before the frost hits to prevent ice from bonding.
Primary Use: Surface Clearance
Best Practice: Spray from the top down on windows and locks for the most effective results.
Primary Use: Emergency Vehicle Care
Best Practice: Keep it in the passenger footwell or glove box for immediate access on icy mornings.
Primary Use: Visibility
Best Practice: Use undiluted (neat) during the winter months to prevent the washer jets from freezing.
Primary Use: Emissions/Engine Performance
Best Practice: Wait 1 minute after turning off the engine before cutting the power to allow the fluid to drain back and prevent pipe icing.
How To Use Winter Essentials Effectively
Beating the winter chill with professional-grade supplies from City Plumbing ensures your vehicle stays on the road and your home or site remains safe. We offer a varied selection of products, all designed to be used effectively throughout those colder months. Discussing five of the most common, here we show you how to use these five winter essentials effectively:
1. Brown Rock Salt
Brown rock salt is the trade standard for keeping paths, driveways, and car parks clear. It contains grit (sand/clays), which provides immediate traction on slippery surfaces.
- When to use: Apply before the freeze (pre-salting) to prevent ice from bonding to the ground.
- How to apply: Use approximately 20g per square metre (about half a cup) for frost. If snow has already fallen, clear it first, then apply 40g per square metre.
Pro Tip: Avoid over-salting near delicate plants or metalwork, as the chloride can be corrosive.
2. De-Icer
Beyond just windows, de-icer is a versatile tool for tradespeople.
- Application: Spray it on frozen padlocks, gate hinges, or van door seals to prevent them from sticking.
- Safety: Never use boiling water on a frozen windscreen—the thermal shock can crack the glass. Stick to the de-icer spray and scraper provided in your kit.
3. Arctic Hayes Winter Kit
This is a "grab-and-go" essential for van and car drivers. A typical kit (like the WK400) includes De-Icer Spray, Concentrated Screen Wash, and an Ice Scraper.
- De-Icer: Spray from the top of the window downwards. It works instantly to -10°C and helps release frozen door locks.
- Ice Scraper: Use the foam-grip scraper for heavy frost layers that the spray hasn't fully dissolved.
- Screen Wash: Use the included concentrate to top up your reservoir (see below for mixing).
4. Screen Wash
Not all screen washes are equal. In winter, you need a higher concentration to prevent the liquid from freezing in the washer jets.
- The Mix: For winter protection down to -5°C, use the solution undiluted or diluted 50:50 with water. In extreme sub-zero temperatures, always use it neat.
- Benefit: It contains detergents that strip away "road salt film," which creates dangerous glare when the sun hits a dirty windscreen.
5. AdBlue
If you drive a modern diesel van or car (Euro 6), AdBlue is non-negotiable.
- The Winter Risk: AdBlue begins to freeze at -11°C. While most modern vehicles have heaters in the tank to handle this, the real danger is crystallisation in the nozzle during short trips.
- How to use: Always keep your AdBlue topped up above the "Minimum" line. In winter, wait 30–60 seconds after turning off the engine before switching off the master power; this allows the system to drain fluid back from the pipes to prevent freezing and blockages.
Choose City Plumbing For All Your Essentials This Winter
By following these simple best practices and keeping your kit stocked, you can avoid costly winter delays and stay safe on the job. Don't wait for the first deep freeze, head to your local City Plumbing branch today to pick up your winter essentials and stay one step ahead of the weather, or visit our website for more products and helpful advice.
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