Weathering Winter
This winter has been quite mild so far. Up until just recently we’ve been quite spoiled, but how about that wind? And with the colder weather looming, you may also be worrying about your buildings – especially if you aren’t there every day. So, how do you protect your business or your commercial property from the weather over the long, cold months of a Canadian winter?
With so much on business owners’ minds right now, here are some practical tips to help you avoid problems caused by winter weather. For example, roofs can collapse under the weight of heavy snow or ice build-up, pipes can freeze and burst, and water can leak. Commercial building owners and tenants can face liability costs if people slip and fall outside a business.
Keep your building snug during bad weather
To protect your building over the winter months:
-Pay attention to local weather forecasts for extremely cold weather or heavy snowfall.
-Check to see if your building needs any special maintenance or repairs, and if so, fix the issues as soon as possible.
-If your commercial building is not in regular use make a point of stopping by fairly often to check on the furnace and air circulation.
On the outside, looking in
To keep the exterior of your building secure:
-Clear snow from around the building to protect the foundation and keep water from getting inside.
-Make sure all emergency exits and access lanes are free of snow and ice build-up, to avoid blockages.
-Clear snow and ice from sidewalks around the entrances and exits so that no one slips and falls.
-Clear snow and ice from parking lots and use ice melt, salt, or sand to prevent falls or car accidents.
-Check your roofing materials (such as shingles) for any damage that could cause water leakage or mold and mildew issues.
-If there is a heavy build-up of snow on your roof, clean it off – you don’t want to risk a roof collapse or an ice dam. Roof rakes are very helpful.
-Clean leaves and debris out of your eavestroughs and downspouts. Blockages can cause water leaks or ice build-up, which can damage your building. If heavy icicles fall off your building while someone is walking by, they could be badly hurt.
-Once the snow starts to melt, remove piles of snow, and make sure you have proper drainage away from the building. This will help prevent water seepage.
-Make sure parking lot drains, street drains, and gutters are clear of snow and ice when the weather starts to thaw.
On the inside, looking out
To keep the inside of your building warm and dry:
-Keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature, both day and night. Newton recommends even an empty building be kept at no lower than 15 degrees Celsius to prevent water from freezing and pipes from bursting.
-Reduce your heating bill by sealing up any exterior gaps, which will keep out drafts.
-Make sure your heating appliances (such as your furnace, boiler, and/or hot water heater) are regularly maintained and serviced by a qualified plumbing and heating contractor.
-Change your furnace filters routinely and clean air vents to free up air flow.
-If your building will be vacant for a while, shut off your main water valve and drain your pipes. Flush your toilets to drain the tanks and add a little antifreeze to the leftover water to keep it from freezing and cracking the porcelain.