Cooler autumn weather has arrived in Indiana and winter will be here before you know it. Now is the time to take action to ensure your building and the surrounding properties are ready for freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.
Failing to prepare can lead to expensive repair bills and even legal liability from things like slip-and-fall accidents. On the other hand, addressing the tasks below will make you confident that you’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you!
Your Winter Weather Property Checklist
Being proactive in preparing your properties will pay dividends all winter long. Here are the most crucial items to address:
- Inspect/repair roofs. Doing a roof inspection in the fall and addressing things like replacing missing shingles helps ensure that precipitation doesn’t create costly roof damage. Correcting any problems you find also helps reduce heat loss and control your energy costs.
- Drain external plumbing. To keep pipes from freezing and potentially bursting, drain water from outside faucets and other plumbing. Adding insulation or heat sleeves to pipes that are at risk of freezing can help, as well.
- Make arrangements for snow removal. Knowing who will be handling snow removal for your properties before the first storm hits is essential. You should also be sure you understand the full scope of the snow removal company’s responsibilities, so you don’t make assumptions about what they’ll be handling.
- Stock up on supplies like ice melt. It’s unclear if the COVID-19 pandemic—which has affected inventories of all kinds of materials—will reduce the availability of items like ice melt, but you shouldn’t wait to find out. It’s much better to order the supplies you need for winter now.
- Check light fixtures. The combination of a slippery sidewalk and a burned-out lightbulb can be especially treacherous. It’s a good idea to check the light fixtures in and around parking lots, sidewalks, lobbies, etc. to ensure they’re ready for the long, dark winter months. You should also have replacement bulbs on hand so fixtures can be serviced quickly.
- Have your furnace inspected. Not only does having your furnace inspected and serviced as needed help ensure it’ll operate properly all winter, but it also helps extend the lifespan of costly equipment.
One final step in dealing with freezing temperatures, snow, and ice effectively is to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Knowing that a storm is coming should put you, your team, and your service providers “on alert.” An elevated state of readiness can help ensure that you address any small issues that arise before they become big problems.
Winter Won’t Wait. Are You Ready?
“If only I’d had a few more weeks to prepare.” is something you don’t want to be saying after a winter weather event causes a serious issue at one of your buildings. Addressing the action items above can help prevent the stress and expense of dealing with cold-weather incidents. Instead, you can simply watch it snow with a steaming mug of coffee or tea in your hand, knowing your properties are fully protected.
To learn more about Maintenance Management and how we can assist you as you prepare for winter (and all year long), please contact us at your convenience.
