The winter season in Canada can be arduous as it makes your property vulnerable to cold-weather catastrophes. From slippery roads to frozen pipes and blocked parking lots, winter wreaks havoc on your commercial property. If you fail to schedule property maintenance or plan preventive measures for emergencies, you may have to pay a high cost in the future. You could put your employees’ or customers’ well-being at risk by not doing appropriate maintenance service on your property.

Below are some ways to prepare your commercial property for the winter.

Inspect and Maintain Your HVAC

The HVAC system in your commercial property is the most crucial system that controls the room temperature and maintains the air quality. Ensure that you inspect, repair and replace the following HVAC components:

• Air filters
• Broken parts
• AC units
• Ductwork
• Thermostat
• Evaporator coil
• Ventilation system

Ensure you hire a professional maintenance service, as they will have advanced equipment to check and repair your HVAC system.

Winterize Your Landscape

Heavy snow and ice can damage your lawn, so you must take proper steps to winterize your landscape before the cold season begins and freezes the ground; plant new trees and shrubs so that the roots can grow deeper into the soil and hold their place. Next, aeration and overseeding are vital winterization tasks that improve your landscape’s growth. Clear fallen dead leaves from your lawn and cut the grass shorter to prevent snow mold growth. Preparing your commercial landscape before winter arrives will minimize any harm that could take place and will strengthen your lawn for the season.

Inspect Window and Door Seals as Well as Seals on Roofs and Around Venting or Commercial Rooftop Equipment

Inspect your buildings’ doors and windows. Check for any holes, broken parts, cracked seals, or other damages to prevent the cold air from getting in during the winter, which can affect your energy bills and comfort, but also allow moisture to seep in causing mold and mildew. Also, thoroughly check the roof and areas around the vents for any deterioration. Repair any faults in property infrastructure in advance to avoid problems in the freezing season. Maintaining your infrastructure will improve its performance, providing a sense of security and relief.

Check Catch Basins, Curbs, Sidewalks, and Pavements

Clean any debris around the catch basins to avoid blockage, Check for crumbling asphalt, or sinking/uneven pavement around your catch basins. Such issues will further deteriorate with freeze-thaw cycles as well as pose hidden hazards under the snow. Check curbs for cracks or movement of parking curbs. Inconsistencies to curb quality and placement can be a hazard for slips and trips when snow and ice accumulate over winter months. Clear the pathways, sidewalks, and pavements on your commercial property to provide a safe and winter-ready property. Before winter begins, clean all the fallen leaves, branches, and other waste.

Have a Seasonal Snow and Anti-Ice Contract in Place

The best time of year to lock in your snow removal and anti-ice contract is actually in August. This way, you won’t be left scrambling to find a provider with capacity when it snows. You will also have time to negotiate a fair price and ensure all details of your scope of work are covered. Property maintenance companies usually provide seasonal snow contracts and take complete care of your property during the winter. Their crew will monitor the weather and ensure to preserve your lawn and clear pavements and sideways. Ensure the contract includes a snow plan with triggers, plowing routes, and snow pile locations, and consider when and where the contractors will remove the snow piles if needed.

Reach out now

GRM Inc. provides snow removal and property maintenance services for the winter. We ensure that your property functions efficiently regardless of extreme weather conditions. Our professionals leverage advanced tools and strategies to maintain your property and strengthen its foundation so that nothing can damage it. Connect with us for further information.