5 Ways You Can Get Your Business Ready for The Winter Weather

When winter weather hits, it is important to make sure that your business is ready to handle freezing temperatures and cold weather precipitation. As every savvy business owner knows, implementing a few basic building maintenance strategies early in the season is the key to avoiding costly repairs that can interfere with the bottom line. Here are five ways you can get your business ready for winter weather while improving the overall curb appeal of your business.

Arrange for Tree Trimming

Winter storms are often accompanied by high winds that can break tree limbs or send them brushing across your building’s roof. Therefore, you will need to arrange to have all dead tree limbs pruned to ensure safety around your building. Additionally, be sure that all limbs are at least 3-feet away from the building to deter winter pests and avoid costly damage to your roof. You will usually want to have your trees trimmed before November, when the first snows will first begin to hit in some areas of the country. The reason for this is that snow can easily stick to trees that still have a large number of leaves, creating an immense amount of weight that can break even healthy branches, creating a danger for your building and your customers.

Schedule a Roof Inspection

A sturdy roof is your first defense for keeping your business safe from the damaging effects of winter weather. Avoid leaks that can damage the interior of your building by scheduling a roof inspection and promptly repair any defects. Local roofing services in Columbus will be able to thoroughly inspect your roof for problems that can sometimes be easy to miss. Even the smallest of leaks can allow for moisture to penetrate into your business, when can cause a variety of expensive problems such as mold, rot, and staining. Professional roofing services won't only be able to find and repair these problems, but they will be able to help winterize your roof by strengthening any supports or cross-beams that need to be able to withstand the additional weight of snow and ice.

Clear the Gutters and Downspouts

In addition to assessing the condition of your roof, you should also plan on clearing out all gutters and downspouts. This will ensure that winter precipitation is directed away from your roof and the exterior of your business. Snow and ice that are able to build up in your gutters because of blocked drains and other debris can lead to a failure of these essential structures. This might not only result in costly gutter repairs, but it can also lead to water being able to penetrate in your business' building.

Winterize Outdoor Plumbing

Frozen pipes will not only slow down your business operations, but they can also wreak havoc on your budget. When water freezes inside of pipes, it will expand and cause the pipe to crack and break. When  the water thaws out, you might end up with a massive leak that can cause an incredible amount of damage. Prepare ahead of time to prevent freezing by insulating any exterior pipes or faucets that are placed in unheated areas. Then, be sure to leave your faucets on a slow drip anytime the temperatures hit below freezing. If temperatures become extreme, you might want to consider investing money in electrical heating covers that you can put on your pipes, which will ensure that they do not freeze.

Plan for Clearing Paths and Walkways

Ensuring the safety of your employees and customers is one of your greatest responsibilities as a business owner. In addition to keeping tree limbs trimmed and a sturdy roof overhead, you will need to make arrangements to clear pathways of snow and ice that could cause slippery falls. Make sure that you arrive early in the morning whenever there is snow and ice and shovel everything off of all the pathways that go in front of your business. You will also want to make sure that you throw down salt before snowstorms, and after shoveling any snow that accumulates in these areas. Salt won't only help to melt any ice or snow, but it can also help to increase traction. Performing the simple task of clearing ice and snow from pathways can help to keep people safe and avoid costly lawsuits.

Getting your business ready for winter weather requires careful planning before the arrival of inclement conditions. By having a thorough inspection of the exterior of your building completed that includes an assessment of your roof and drainage conditions, you can ensure the safety of everyone in your building, while keeping your business operations running smoothly no matter what weather winter may bring.