When it comes to winter, many property owners forget about the issues their building will be facing. The cold weather can cost you a lot of money around this time of year. This is why you need to make sure you do everything that you possibly can to avoid any damage to your property. That could be your home or your commercial premises that you own. If you do not do anything to prevent these issues, you could end up with some hefty bills. Here are some issues that your property could face this winter and what you can do to prevent them.
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Inspect Heating Systems
During winter, heating systems will be working much harder than they usually do. Regular checks should be often when it comes to any units/ systems. It is to make sure that you notice any possible issues before it begins. The best way to go about this is by getting a professional round for service, as they will make sure it is serviced properly. The last thing that you want is for anything to break during winter.
Clear The Walkways and Parking Lots
This section is more for those that own commercial property. Factories and other business buildings will need their pathways and parking lots cleared of snow. In the winter, the floor can be susceptible to black ice, making it dangerous to walk along. You should make sure that popular walkways outside the building are gritted before nightfall. When there is blame, there is a claim. If you are the property owner, it is your responsibility to make sure it is cleared to save anyone from falling.
Outdoor Lighting
It is something that goes under the radar with new property owners. Outdoor lighting is needed for those darker mornings so people can see what is on the floor. This is why regular inspections of lights around the building must be checked, for the safety of your workers and visitors.
As mentioned earlier, you want to make sure that your walkways are clear. However, there are some parts that you would miss. This is why you make sure your lights around the building are well lit. The sun rises much later than usual in the morning, making it difficult to see anything on the floor that could be a safety hazard.
Roof Inspections
Roof inspections are essential when it comes to this time of year for several reasons. Debris that falls from the trees during autumn could cause blockages. All of this needs to be checked before the cruelest of winter nights arrive.
There are a couple of things that need to be checked for the roof. For example, if the gutters get blocked, it can damage the walls or the roof of the building. There are two things that you could do. You can either get a specialist cleaning service who is qualified for cleaning high-level areas of the building. Additionally, you could always clean it yourself. But, you need to make sure that you have all of the required safety equipment.
Blockages can be more damaging in winter than in any other season. The reason is that the buildup of water can freeze due to the temperatures, leading to ice dams. These dams can prevent drainage and, as the snow melts, it can leak in from the roof.
When your roof is being inspected, make sure that they look out for any other damage. For example, shingles should be checked and the tiles on your roof to see if they are not damaged. If they are, then the roof would leak during the winter. It is all about eliminating the existing problems, ensuring it doesn’t cause further issues with your property.
Inspect Existing Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is more likely to occur during the later and early parts of the year. The reason for this is because the furnaces and heating systems are used a lot more during this time of year. Ventilation will be limited because it is much colder so the windows will not be open.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors need to be checked regularly. However, it is even more important before winter comes around due to how often the furnaces and fireplaces are on. The usual life expectancy of a carbon monoxide detector is around five years. If you are new to the property, you need to check the detectors straight away to make sure they are fully functioning.
To Conclude
Many things need to be checked when it comes to property. Winter is one of the worst times of year for property for maintenance. Furthermore, the issues that your property faces in winter are the most damaging and have a higher cost to repair. Nonetheless, you must neutralize any potential issues that your property could face before winter comes.
If you own a commercial property, it is suggested that you have regular inspections throughout the year. We recommend that every three months, you should have your building inspected. The reason being is that the longer you leave something that is damaged, the more issues you are going to have with it. Leading to the bills being a lot higher because they need more repair. Think about it, the longer you leave a leaking pipe, the more damage it is going to cause to the surrounding areas.
