Is Your Property New England Winter Ready?
12/1/2016 (Permalink)
With the farmer's almanac calling for a classic New England winter, it's imperative to ensure your home or business is cold weather ready.
By taking the following precautions you can protect your property from costly weather related damages.
- Winter weather such as wind, heavy rain, ice, and snow cause cause things such as tree limbs, branches, and power lines to fall which can potentially cause damage to your property and even cause personal injury.
- Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper working order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building and clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can lead to a damming effect, which can lead to roof damage and interior water problems.
- Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
- Inspect all handrails, stairwells, and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.
- By simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing, you can reduce your risk of having your pipes freeze. For pipes that lay under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open allowing warm air to circulate around the pipes. If your building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe.
- Ask your local SERVPRO Franchise about completing an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) for your business. This program is at no cost to your facility and provides you with a plan to get back to business faster following a disaster.
SERVPRO of Cheshire County is here for you when winter weather strikes. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!