Winter is coming, with freezing rains, snow and sub-zero wind chills. Now is the time to make sure your facility and your buildings are prepared, both inside and out.

Although different facility requirements can vary, there are some common areas that businesses should review, and possibly update, prior to the onset of winter.

When winterizing your building, there are three main advantages to keep in mind: safety, comfort and savings.

• Many issues that can occur in your facility, especially during winter, can lead to potential disasters and safety concerns, such as frozen and bursting water pipes.
• It is important to keep your employees and/or tenants comfortable, and it is key to head off any issue before they start.
• There is the potential for a lot of wasted energy in the winter months. Reviewing your building’s requirements, equipment and general maintenance can save you money in the long run.

Being prepared in advance can save you time and money.

Below are tips on common areas to look at and winterize now.

HVAC:

• Contact Lee Mechanical and have one of our qualified service technicians inspect your HVAC equipment to uncover any potential issues before winter sets in.
• Review your equipment for opportunities to save money and energy. Lower thermostats and shut down unnecessary equipment and systems.
• Winterize and drain unused cooling towers, and close off main water in unheated spaces.
• Check the health of your facility and be aware of SBS (sick building syndrome).
• Inspect the ventilation in your building for air leaks, insulation holes or issues with the roof or weather stripping.
• Change any filters.
• Inspect your facility and machinery for any broken equipment or parts.
• Cover or prepare your AC units for winter.

Electrical:

• Contact Lee Mechanical to run tests on connections from input sources to buildings and throughout your facility to check for any potential wiring issues.
• Make sure your building is prepared for potential power outages, with both available back-up equipment and a game plan on whom to contact for assistance, such as Lee Mechanical.
• Check that surge protectors are properly installed in offices and that generators will be operational when needed to supply power to critical systems.

Roofing:

• Inspect your roof for damage, from missing shingles to damaged flashing. 
• Plan periodic checks throughout the winter to watch for potential issues that might appear.
• Keep roof drains clear, and check that your flashings are flush and secure. Make sure your gutters are clear also.
• Watch for ice dams, icicles or a pile of snow building up on the roof. This can be an indication of poor insulation.
• Consider forming a snow and ice removal plan to prevent snow burden or ice overload from causing breakdowns in the roof surface or even structural integrity.

Snow Removal:

• Make sure your facilities are prepared for the upcoming snow with a solid removal plan.
• Test your equipment to make sure it is working properly.
• Contact your local snow removal company or your onsite maintenance team to make sure everything is in order.
• Confirm your supply of salt is on hand or on order.

Being prepared can mitigate the damage any potential winter storm can cause. 

Contact Lee Mechanical for more information or to schedule an inspection of your building today.