How to Prepare Your Commercial Buildings for NYC Winters

Cold and harsh winters in NYC can attract various catastrophic events in the real estate sector. Therefore, commercial buildings develop special maintenance requirements to stay safe from weather-related havoc. The needs of every commercial building will differ according to its size, location, and age. But some specific things that every commercial building owner needs to take care of during the winter season are as follows:

Focus on Snow Removal

You must get snow removal supplies that will last till the onset of spring. Adequate salt and sand are necessary for the snow. You should also have enough gas or oil for the snow removal machinery.

Inspect equipment like snow plows and blowers. If you notice some worn-out parts, you must opt for immediate replacement. 

If you are too busy to handle snow removal by yourself, you can always seek professional help. Find a reliable snow removal company for your commercial building and stay relieved throughout the winter season. 

Take Care of Your Roof

Ice or high winds can often cause damage to the roof of a commercial building. For instance, you might notice loose shingles on your roof. You must fix all issues with your roof to make your commercial property a safe space during winter. 

 

If a pile of leaves or other debris is blocking your gutter, you need to clean it immediately. Otherwise, melted snow won’t be able to run off. In case your commercial property gets a large amount of snow during the winter, you must clean the high-piling snow with care. 

Check the Insulation of Your Property

Commercial building owners must check the insulation of their properties to ensure energy efficiency. You need to look for holes or compromised areas in the insulation of your building that can contribute to heat loss. Remember to check the roofs and unheated areas like the attic. 

If your attic is not insulated adequately, you will lose a large amount of heat during the season of cold. 

It is also essential to examine the quality of insulation in your commercial property. As long as the insulation level is not sufficient, it won’t contribute to energy efficiency. Find out if certain areas in your building need more insulation. At times, you might even have to update the insulation of your whole building. 

In recent years, several advancements have taken place in the world of insulation methods. Nowadays, you can choose from modern methods like rigid insulation, blanket-style insulation, foam insulation, and more. All these techniques are highly efficient in lowering your heating and cooling expenses. 

Take Measures to Prevent Power Outages

Irrespective of the season, power outages are always inconvenient. During the winter months, high winds and snowfall can lead to frequent power outages. You must assess the trees, telephone poles, and power lines in your commercial building to keep unwanted power outages at bay. 

If a weak tree branch falls on a telephone pole or a power line, a power outage will definitely happen. So, you should get professionals to cut the weak branches before the high winds or snowfall make them fall and cause accidents. 

Inspect the HVAC System

The HVAC system of your commercial building is a crucial component throughout the year. But the HVAC systems have to work extra hard during the cold season. These systems remain responsible for optimizing the air quality of the whole commercial Buildings. Therefore, it is crucial to opt for its servicing and inspect it thoroughly before winter arrives. 

Furthermore, a well-functioning HVAC system helps commercial building owners with energy savings. A few things to ensure that the HVAC system of your commercial building serves its purposes properly are as follows:

• Inspect and change all the air filters.
• Mend or replace the broken parts in your HVAC system.
• Look for holes and leaks in the vents that might hamper energy efficiency.
• Check out the ventilation system to let exhaust gasses go out of the building.
• Cover up all AC units that will remain unused during the cold weather. 
• Get a professional to inspect your whole HVAC system before you turn up the heat for the first time during cold days. 

Minimize Disruptions

The winter season comes with freezing temperatures that can lead to snow and ice build-ups. As a result, your daily business operations will start facing disruptions. Moreover, accidents and damages can happen on the premises of your commercial property. 

You must get engaged in proper measures and condition the whole commercial Buildings properly. Both interior and exterior conditioning is necessary to prepare the building for the changing weather. It will help prevent weather-related hazards, lower downtime, and eliminate disruptions to daily operations. 

Look Into Your Plumbing Systems

Commercial buildings face various issues during the winter. Flooding due to frozen pipes is one of the key concerns for building owners during the winter season. While you opt for water damage remediation services, your business will face unnecessary downtime. 

Moreover, the cost of fixing frozen pipes is extremely high. You can prevent the issue of frozen pipes by making all the freeze-protection devices and alarms in your building work efficiently. Adjust the temperature of your internal thermostat to prevent the issue of freezing pipes during the cold months. Additionally, check the pipes in unheated or minimally heated areas of your building. 

Ending Note

If you need to prepare your commercial building for NYC winters, The Cotocon Group can help. With energy efficiency measures and more, we are experts at helping commercial buildings face the tough winters. We are highly experienced in increasing the value of real estate properties. We will help prevent costly damages and repairs while fulfilling compliance requirements. So, contact the experts at The Cotocon Group today.