With winter fast approaching, commercial property owners face unique challenges. Proactive planning is crucial not only to avoid costly repairs but also to ensure smooth operations and safety for all building occupants. While the season may bring challenges, simple steps can significantly make a difference.

Interior Prep Tips

• Have your HVAC system professionally serviced. This includes filter replacement, leak checks, and thermostat testing to boost reliability and efficiency.
• Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any gaps around windows and doors to prevent heat loss.
• Wrap exposed pipes in unheated spaces to prevent freezing and potential flooding.
• Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors—test functionality, replace batteries, and confirm they haven’t expired.
• Test backup power systems, such as generators, to ensure fuel or charge levels are sufficient and systems function under load.
• Update internal emergency plans and ensure contact information is prominently displayed; communicate procedures clearly to all staff and tenants.

Exterior Prep Tips

• Examine the roof for signs of wear, such as sagging, broken shingles, or blocked drainage; address issues before heavy snowfall.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts to avoid blockages and ice dam formation.
• Confirm snow removal contracts or restock supplies if managing in-house; ensure response plans are timely and responsibilities are clear.
• Inspect parking areas and walkways for damage that could worsen in icy conditions; fix issues now and have salt or sand ready.
• Walk the property after dark to test lighting; replace bulbs and consider upgrading fixtures to improve safety and visibility.

Tackling these winter prep tasks early is an investment in operational continuity, occupant safety, and building integrity. By addressing small issues now, you can prevent larger, costlier emergencies during the harshest months. Schedule inspections or review service contracts today to get ahead of winter weather.