Regular maintenance is key to ensuring properties don’t fall apart, face seasonal disasters, or have to halt business operations. Of course, when temperatures start to fall, most commercial property owners know that trouble and commercial restoration may lie ahead. But, if you get to scheduling some routine maintenance in early fall, the winter season might not be so scary.
Because cold weather can cause devastation to your commercial property or facility, preventative measures are always a good idea to keep your employees or tenants safe, and your business investment secure.
So, if you are located in an area prone to harsh weather and winter storms, it’s time to check in with your property and note where any preventative repairs and maintenance updates need to be made.
This post looks at how you can work to prepare for the winter season by focusing on preventative commercial building maintenance. So, put your tool belt on, and let’s get to work by going through these commercial restoration building maintenance tips:
1. HVAC System Check-Up
In winter, your HVAC system will be working extra hard on the heat setting, so it’s best to check how your system is working before the harsh weather sets in.
The first port of call is to check and change your air filters. Then, you should inspect all working parts, the vents for leaks or holes, the hoses for blockages, and that exhaust gasses are being sent out of the building. If you find any issues, repair them. It’s also good to ensure the thermostat is working correctly and condensation drain traps are empty. If you aren’t using your units in winter, cover them on the outside.
Of course, hiring a professional for a full inspection is always a good idea if this is not your area of expertise.
2. Insulation Inspection
Insulation helps keep the heat inside your building, which is what you want during winter. To ensure it’s working optimally, inspect your insulation for holes or jeopardized areas that may lead to heat loss.
Checking the roof is an excellent place to start and any other unheated areas like an attic, for example. Did you know that a poorly insulated attic can result in 25% heat loss during winter? It may also be time to add more, or upgrade, your insulation to more effective modern insulation.
These modern insulation methods can do wonders for your building during the colder season. These new techniques can help you save a lot on your heating and cooling costs in the long run.
3. Prepare Your Plumbing
When the professionals are called out for water damage remediation in winter, it’s usually due to frozen pipes, followed by flooding. This can cause a lot of stress and even downtime for businesses, not to mention the costs for repairs.
To avoid this frozen pipe situation, ensure your freeze-protection devices and alarms are working correctly. Test the freeze stats and valves before the cold weather hits. You can even wrap pipes and faucets in the least heated areas of your building to help keep them from freezing. Another good idea is to seal any cracks and openings around exposed pipes on your property.
And, of course, keeping your building’s internal temperature at 55 degrees Fahrenheit at all times is also a good idea.
4. Roofing Checks
Your building’s roof is a vital part of its structure and key to keeping your winter season safe and dry. Make sure you inspect the roof to prevent leaks and other costly problems from developing, especially if you’re in an area likely to receive snowfall.
You’ll want to look for holes, damage, and loose shingles. Repair any damage as soon as you can. And remember, if you have an older building, inspections should regularly occur as these buildings are more vulnerable to damage.
If you get snow, you’ve probably heard of ice dams. As snow piles up on your roof and eventually melts, it slides down towards your gutters. When it refreezes, it makes an ice dam – especially if your gutters are blocked. As this melting and refreezing keeps happening, the ice dams prevent the water from draining off your roof and away from the building.
Sometimes, what can happen is the water ends up flowing back up your roof and underneath shingles, leading to leaks and a damaged roof. A damaged roof can also start letting cold air into the building and allow warm air to escape, forcing you to use more heating.
5. Create a Disaster Plan
How will your employees cope if you face a winter storm? What will happen if your roof has an extensive leak and the office is affected? It’s good to come up with a plan for various disaster situations, including flooding, fire, or even gas leaks.
Put procedures in place, communicate the various escape plans, and nominate disaster officers who know what protocol to follow when a disaster crops up to lead their teams. And research contractors to keep on speed dial to get help timeously when you need it.
Remember, you can help prevent cold-weather disasters by sticking to regular precautionary building maintenance, being prepared, and calling a commercial restoration company when needed. By doing this, you will help protect your commercial building and avoid costly disasters and repairs.
How Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT Can Help
Our experienced team at Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT offer a range of commercial restoration services – including emergency repairs and water removal, along with reconstruction services.
Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT offer commercial damage restoration services that have helped thousands of residential and commercial customers recover from water and storm damage – both big and small.
Our commercial restoration company has reestablished businesses and restored communities. Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT offer commercial restoration services after damage from hurricanes to tornadoes, as well as commercial water damage due to burst pipes and extreme weather.
Find out more about our restoration and recovery services at www.bmscat.com.