Winter weather can bring unexpected challenges for commercial properties, from freezing temperatures to snow and ice. Without proper preparation, these conditions can lead to costly damage and operational disruptions. Taking proactive steps to protect your building can prevent issues, improve energy efficiency, and ensure your facility remains safe and functional throughout the season. Here’s how to get started.
Waterproof Your Building
Severe winter weather often causes problems due to freezing water. While frozen pipes come to mind first, water infiltration can be just as problematic. Small cracks in stucco or brick mortar, missing or failing caulk around vents, windows, and roof curbs, or rusted components like flashing and lintels can become significant issues when water freezes and expands. These problems can worsen over time and lead to water infiltration, system failures, or structural damage.
Now is the perfect time to inspect your building’s exterior and address these maintenance needs. Painting rusted building components and recaulking penetrations and cracks can be done using materials available at local hardware stores.
Check your roof for signs of ponding water. Common causes include clogged drains or improperly piped HVAC condensate lines, which are often quick fixes. Ponded water can freeze, creating ice dams that further buildup and increase the risk of water infiltration.
As you are inspecting the outside of your building, be sure to disconnect any hoses from exterior spigots and drain or insulate any water lines or exposed pipes that are not buried below the frost line. If you use irrigation pumps, they should be disconnected and drained as well.
Plan for Snow and Ice
As temperatures drop, it is important to have a plan in place for managing snow and ice. Keep de-icing and snow removal tools on hand to maintain safe sidewalks and driveways. Avoid using rock salt, as it can damage concrete. We recommend using sand as a safer alternative.
If heavy snowfall occurs, monitor your roof for excessive snow buildup that could lead to structural problems with the roof’s support system. Create a plan for safely removing snow if necessary.
Maintain Your Building Systems
Periodic maintenance of your building’s mechanical systems is essential to ensuring functionality during winter months. HVAC systems should be serviced twice a year, with one checkup scheduled before cold weather. Backup generators also require routine maintenance, including checking connections to ensure they are linked to the intended systems.
Proactive Commercial Building Maintenance
Proactive inspections and maintenance are critical to extending the lifespan of your commercial building and avoiding costly repairs. Radius Builds service team offers annual service agreements that include periodic inspections of your entire exterior. Scheduled maintenance stabilizes your operating budget, minimizes unexpected repairs, and keeps your building operating efficiently.
Read more about what Radius Builds offers here.
