Winter can take a huge toll on commercial buildings, which is why even though the weather may be decent right now, it’s high time to think about preparing your commercial building for winter. But how should you get started? And what aspects of your building need special attention with regard to winterization? We have a number of helpful tips to help.
Tips for preparing your commercial building for winter in Ottawa
When prepping your commercial space for winter, it can be helpful to approach it from several perspectives. First, you want to think about preventative work. Doing some work during the warmer weather can eliminate worry about cold-weather issues like frozen pipes down the road. Second, you’ll want to think about the comfort of your tenants and others. And third, you’ll want to consider potential energy savings you can capitalize on by addressing the heating and cooling needs unique to each area of the building.
With these three perspectives in mind, it’s time to look a little closer at the areas of particular interest when winterizing your commercial building.
Sealing Up Air leaks
Check the structure of your commercial property for leaks, and consider getting an energy audit for your commercial building, which can really help find these problem areas. Once they are identified, seal them up for considerable cost savings and increased comfort for your tenants.
Adding Insulation
Does your building have sufficient insulation? Take a hard look at all of it to ensure even the tougher spots are properly insulated. There are a variety of options in insulation to ensure your building gets the best protection from the cold, including blanket-style insulation, rigid insulation, foam insulation and more.
Checking Your Roofing
The roof of your commercial building can be host to a number of undetected issues, such as holes or damage that can lead to leaks during snowmelt. When inspecting the roof, check all flashing and seals and make sure the structure is sound enough to hold the weight of snow and ice that is sure to come.
Inspecting Your Plumbing
Frozen pipes are a common cause of expensive damage in commercial buildings, so looking over your plumbing now can save you in time, trouble and cash come winter. Make sure any freeze protection devices are operational, and test freeze stats and valves to make sure there are no leaks.
Preparing HVAC
Last but not least, be sure to prep your HVAC system. A good start is to schedule preventive maintenance and make sure the system is operating properly and efficiently. Be sure to change out any air filters and check that exhaust gases are being ventilated properly.