Building owners all know the stress that comes before winter as you rush to check that everything is in order before the cold hits.
That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate list of everything you need to do to winterize your commercial building. Follow these top tips and your building will be winter-ready in no time.
7 Ways To Winterize Your Commercial Building In The Pacific Northwest
1. Roof Maintenance
A crucial step to winterize your commercial building is making sure the roof is in good condition. This is something you should do regularly, but especially before winter hits.
Make sure that there are no structural weaknesses in your roof. In the Pacific Northwest, your buildings must be able to withstand snowfall, and the extra weight that it adds to the building.
Be on the lookout for any signs of water pooling, like stains, as these can make your roof weaker. If there are any issues, repair, reinforce, or replace components as necessary.
2. Seal Drafts And Gaps
One of the most important tasks to do when winterizing your building is to seal any drafts or gaps and ensure that the building envelope is in good shape. This prevents unwanted loss of heat and air and helps with maintaining a comfortable environment.
You may want to replace doors or windows or simply seal any minor gaps. Remember to think about the best practices for different kinds of sealing, such as caulking stationary components and using weatherstripping for moving parts.
This is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your building remains at a comfortable temperature throughout winter. It’s also critical to keeping your heating bills down. So much money and energy is wasted heating building air if the hot air is leaking out and letting cold air in.
3. Clear Gutters
Going into winter, gutters are often clogged with fall leaves. Blocked gutters cause drainage problems which get even worse if water freezes in your gutters. Gutter guards can help reduce this problem, but you still need to check them often.
So as fall comes to an end, make sure you clean your gutters regularly and don’t let blockages build up. Cold winter temperatures mean you need to keep a closer eye on your gutters to avoid snow and ice causing problems.
One way to help winterize your gutters is to make sure there are diverters so that melted snow doesn’t end up pouring down onto walkways and create a slippery mess.
4. Inspect Heating Systems
Regular maintenance of HVAC systems is crucial, and you should be getting them serviced yearly. This kind of maintenance helps to reduce the risk of expensive repairs down the line.
Another way to reduce your risk is to use energy-efficient construction techniques like choosing thermo-controlled HVAC systems when building to give you peace of mind for years to come.
Make sure that you know your heating system is working perfectly as you enter winter. Clear out the air filter as a clogged filter reduces the efficiency of your system and can increase the risk of damage.
While doing any HVAC checks, it is vital to check for carbon monoxide leaks and ensure that your detectors are working correctly.
5. Prepare Your Water Heater
Make sure that you have your water heater set at a temperature high enough to avoid freezing but low enough to keep energy bills down. We recommend 120°F year round.
Sediment builds up in your water heater over time, and the lead-up to winter is a great time to clear this out to ensure your water heater works efficiently throughout the winter.
6. Insulate Pipes
One of the biggest building risks in winter is pipes freezing and bursting. This is a nightmare that no building owner wants to encounter. Luckily, it is easily preventable.
In the Pacific Northwest, it is important to insulate pipes, especially those in unheated areas, as well as any exterior faucets. If water freezes in pipes or faucets, it will expand and potentially burst.
Choose the correct insulation for your pipes and get professional help with installation to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Not only will proper insulation prevent burst pipes, but it will also mean you need less energy to keep water hot.
7. Snow Removal Plan
In addition to maintenance and repair work, part of winterizing your building is to have a set of snow removal plans in place.
Firstly, be sure to have equipment like shovels, snow blowers, and salt on hand. This will make it simple to keep entrances and walkways clear if it snows.
However, you also need to have a strategy for unusually heavy snowfall. Make sure you have a snow removal company in mind, and contract their services in advance of any predicted heavy snow.
Conclusion
There are several things you can do to help keep your building safe and comfortable during winter. But the first step to winterize your commercial building is to build it using best practices.
Partnering with a top contractor like Chad Fisher Construction means that you’ll have far less to worry about when winter arrives. Quality construction is built to make it through the winter with ease.