When planning a big garden project like a new driveway, decking, or beautifully paved patio, it can feel like our great British weather is just waiting to come along and scupper your plans. Living in the UK, particularly in areas like Bradford and Halifax, we’re no strangers to unpredictable weather, and it’s natural to wonder: do landscaping companies work in the rain? Here at Kettlewell Groundworks, we understand your concerns, and we’re here to shed some light on how we manage those wet, windy, and even occasionally sunny days!
Yorkshire Weather: A Blessing and a Challenge
First things first, let’s talk about Yorkshire’s weather. It’s what makes our gardens lush and green, but it can also be a bit of a challenge when planning outdoor work. Where we live, in Queensbury, it’s not rare to experience all four seasons in one day! Bad weather is a constant companion, and our winters can be extreme. Should that mean your outdoor living project has to be put on hold? Not necessarily.
Working in the Rain: When It’s Possible and When It’s Not
At Kettlewell Groundworks, we believe that a bit of rain shouldn’t bring your dream garden to a standstill. Richard is always telling me “You won’t melt!” However, we have to consider the weather and the type of work being done.
Hard Landscaping: Paving, Driveways, and Decking
- Laying Paving: Laying porcelain or natural stone paving requires careful handling in the rain. When the ground is too wet, it can lead to issues further down the line. Porcelain is a little more temperamental in that it needs to be dry so that the primer will bond correctly. Temperatures should also be above 5ºC. If it’s colder or too wet, we may recommend holding off for a dry, warmer day to ensure the longevity of your new patio. The same goes for applying jointing compound or grout. Too wet, you’ll watch it swimming away as fast as we’re putting it in, and too cold, it won’t cure.
- Driveways: Whether you’re having block paving or tarmac installed, heavy rainfall can impact the process. While we can lay blocks in damp conditions, rain can sometimes cause issues with the compaction of the subbase depending on how heavy the downpour is. Finishing touches, like sweeping in the kiln-dried sand, also require a perfectly dry day. When laying tarmac, light rain isn’t usually a problem, but heavy rain can delay the work as it affects the material’s setting time.
- Decking: Installing decking is one of those jobs that can often go ahead in wet conditions, as long as the underlying structure is sound, and the materials aren’t soaking wet. However, heavy rain can make the ground unstable, especially if we’re digging post holes, and then we have to consider the safety risk.
Fencing: The All-Weather Job
Fencing is one of the few tasks we can continue in almost any weather, barring extreme storms, or heavy snowfall. If the ground isn’t waterlogged, we can dig post holes, set posts, and fix panels without much trouble. If it’s raining lightly, we’ll throw on our waterproofs and crack on. However, in winter, if the ground is frozen solid, we may be forced to delay until it’s thawed enough to dig.
Safety First: Navigating Weather Challenges
Safety is always a top priority, both for us and your property. We always have to proceed with caution when working in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, high winds, or freezing temperatures. Here’s how we manage through the seasons:
Spring and Autumn: Rain and Wind
Spring and Autumn in Yorkshire is known for being particularly wet and windy, and occasionally we’re forced to down tools. Wet surfaces can become slippery, and when excavating, we just end up making a mud bath which nobody wants! High winds and wet weather can make handling materials such as large fence panels or decking boards dangerous.
Summer: Heat and Thunderstorms
Summer is usually our busiest time, with clients keen to make the most of their gardens. While rain is less of an issue, exposure to heat and the sun can be just as dangerous. We always make sure we stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and avoid the hottest part of the day if necessary. To date, there has only been one time that we’ve had to stop working completely due to the heat. However, heat is sometimes followed by a thunderstorm. If there’s lightning in the area, we’ll stop work, especially if we’re using metal tools or working on elevated structures like decking.
Winter: Cold, Ice, and Snow
Winter is when the weather is most disruptive to landscaping work. Frost, ice, and snow can make the ground too hard to work with or too slippery to be safe.
Throughout all seasons we also need to be mindful of best practices with materials we’re using. There are temperature guidelines that we need to follow for products such as cement and paving primer. Grouting is one of those jobs that can’t be done if it’s pouring rain or too warm and sunny. Where possible, we try to time our schedule right and get work finished on time. Sometimes it can be impossible to predict the great British weather, even with the best will in the world.
Why Wait? The Importance of Timing in Landscaping
As much as we’re prepared to work through most weather conditions, sometimes it’s just best to wait. Rushing a job in poor conditions can lead to poor results, which none of us want. It would cost us money in the long run, if we have to repeat work and it’s not good for client relationships or our reputation so you can be safe with the knowledge that if we’re not confident in the weather, we’ll wait.
What You Can Do to Prepare
If you’re planning a landscaping project, there are a few things you can do to help things run smoothly, regardless of the weather:
- Plan Ahead: Consider the time of year when scheduling your project. If possible, aim for late spring or early summer when the weather is more predictable. For work that involves fencing, timing is not so much of an issue. We’re always grateful for those clients who are willing to wait until the cooler, wetter months for their fencing project as it keeps us going through that period when we could otherwise be stood down.
- Be Flexible: The weather in Yorkshire can change quickly, so it’s important to be flexible. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and work with you to find the best time to complete your project.
- Trust the Process: We know what we’re doing at Kettlewell Groundworks. If we recommend pausing work due to the weather, there’ll be a good reason, and we want to ensure the best possible outcome for your new garden or driveway. For those of you who know or have met Richard, you’ll already know that he doesn’t take having a day off lightly so they’re few and far between! 😉
Rain or Shine, We’ve Got You Covered
It’s only natural to worry about how the weather might impact your landscaping project. Whatever the skies throw our way, we’re ready to handle it at Kettlewell Groundworks. While some jobs may need to wait for the right conditions, we can usually keep the job moving forward. Rain or shine! Check out our Instagram feed and you’ll see some of the weather we’ve worked in!
If you’re considering a new patio, driveway, or any other landscaping project, don’t let the weather hold you back. Get in touch with us today, and let’s start planning your dream garden. Whether it’s a sunny day in July or a drizzly afternoon in November, we’re here to make it happen. Kettlewell Groundworks are landscaping professionals based on the border of Bradford and Halifax. We specialise in hard landscaping, including paving, decking, fencing, and driveways. With over 25 years of experience and a commitment to quality, we’re here to transform your outdoor space, whatever the weather!
