The winter months mean cold days and even colder nights loom. They also mean it’s time to look at your commercial facility and make sure you are ready for the low temperatures and bad weather. Be sure to follow these winter maintenance tips for your facility.
Inspect Building Conditions
Make sure you know your facility’s condition and whether the building or various areas need repair. Check out the heating system. Make sure doors are in good condition. Look at weather-stripping. Determine whether windows are properly sealed. Don’t forget your building’s exterior, including faucets, and make sure your roof and attic are in good condition and free of leaks.
Winterize Cooling Systems
If you shut off your cooling system over the winter, make sure you close supply valves and drain the pipes. Cooling systems that are left on should either have antifreeze added or should use immersion coils to heat the water.
Change Air Filters
Clean HVAC air filters have a major effect on air quality in your facility, and changing them regularly is a necessity. Make sure you change them for the winter when you are switching from cooling to heating.
Clean Gutters
Gutters should hold and route water overflow, not leaves and debris. Clean out your gutters regularly during the winter. Make sure they don’t back up with snow after a storm, for backed up gutters can lead to excess water, resulting in roof damage and leaks.
Prepare for Power Outages
Power outages are common in the winter, so be prepared. Have an emergency plan and make sure that plan is clearly communicated to everyone in the building. Install emergency lighting and a backup generator. Make sure you have emergency supplies such as batteries, flashlights, and a first aid kit in storage.
Winter maintenance is an important part of facility management. Make sure you do it properly to maintain building efficiency and personnel safety. For more information about getting your building ready for winter, contact us.
