Are you winter weather ready?

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming cold

weather? Cold weather can have a huge

impact on your home or business if you

are not ready for it. From heavy rain

and freezing temperatures to damaging

winds, sleet, or snow, all can cause

serious and costly property damage.

While you cannot control the weather,

you can take steps to be prepared and

help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to

weather, consider taking the following

precautions to protect your property

before colder weather hits.

- Check your business property

for downed tree limbs and

branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice,

and snow can cause branches to

fall, which could cause damage

to the property and potentially

cause personal injuries.

- Roofs, water pipes, and gutters

should all be inspected to ensure

they are in proper order. Gutter

downspouts should be directed

away from your building. Clear

gutters of debris that may have

gathered during the fall. Leaves

and other obstructions can

cause 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.

- Protect water pipes from freezing

by simply allowing water to drip

when temperatures dip below

freezing. If pipes are under a

cabinet, leave the cabinet doors

open, allowing warm inside air

to circulate around the pipes. If

the 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 Professionals about

completing an Emergency READY

Profile® (ERP) for your business.

The ERP is a no-cost assessment

to your facility, and provides

you with a plan to get back in

business fast following a disaster.

When winter weather strikes, call

your local SERVPRO® Franchise

Professionals to strike back.