Protect your Property this Winter

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures and winter weather can cause damage to your home and business if you aren’t properly protected. Freezing rain, high speed winds, sleet and snow can all cause costly damages to your home and business. We understand you can’t control the weather but you can take measures that will prepare you so you won’t feel the bite from the frost.

- Check your property for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to property and potentially cause personal injuries.

- Roofs, water pipes and gutters should all be inspected 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 lead to a damming effect, causing roof damage and interior water problems.

- Clean chimneys and exhaust systems to ensure they are free of debris.

- Test gas lines if they have been dormant to ensure they are in good working order with no leaks.

- Inspect your property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.

- Protect pipes from freezing by 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. Make sure all exterior pipes are properly insulated.

- 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.

- Make sure all of your exterior doors, garages, roll-ups and windows have sufficient weather stripping.

- 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.