Winter Preparations: How Prepared Is Your Business for the Cold Temperatures?

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

As a business owner, you have an array of responsibilities throughout your organization that requires your constant attention. Sometimes you forget with the many modifications continually going on in your office, other pressing matters could become problematic and cost your company production losses.

One of those commonly overlooked issues is weather preparation for your business property.

If your business is located in the Brown County region, then you know winter can create one major dilemma after another. First, it’s frozen pipes the next a backed-up toilet. Sometimes it’s an even bigger nightmare like a flooded facility.

As we enter the winter months, how prepared is your business for the freezing temperatures?

Here are some great tips offered by The Disaster Safety website on how you can prevent frozen pipes from happening in your business.

Seal openings

• Seal all windows, doors, and other openings on exterior walls with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from penetrating the wall cavity.

Seal cracks and penetrations

• Seal all wall cracks and penetrations, including domestic and fire protection lines, electrical conduits, and other utility service lines.

Insulate and seal attic penetrations

• Insulate and seal attic penetrations such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, and electrical and mechanical chases.

Insulate recessed light fixtures

• Insulate recessed light fixtures in the ceiling to reduce the heat entering the attic. Look for visible light inside the attic. If present, insulate or seal. If the space above a suspended ceiling are conditioned, there is no need for added insulation or sealing.

Run faucets

• Let all faucets drip during extremely cold weather to prevent freezing of the water inside the pipe, and if freezing does occur, to relieve pressure buildup in the pipes between the ice blockage and the faucet.

Install a monitoring system

• Install a monitoring system that provides notifications if the building’s temperature dips below a predetermined number. Never set your thermostat below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Insulate pipes

• Insulate pipes most vulnerable to freezing by using pipe insulation.

Install an automatic excess flow switch

• Install an automatic excess flow switch on the main incoming domestic water line to monitor and provide early detection of a broken pipe or valve. Use wireless sensors near water sources.

Monitor sprinkler systems

• Monitor sprinkler systems using a central station to provide early detection of a pipe failure and heat unheated sprinkler control rooms.

Provide backup power

• Provide a reliable backup power source, such as a standby generator, to ensure continuous power and heat to the building.

At SERVPRO, we want your business to avoid any loss. That is why our team of trained professionals is ready to take on your particular restoration situation. We know that water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and other items of high value. Our team is ready to start the water extraction process almost immediately.

When minutes matter, know that we are here to oversee your water loss leaving your primary focus on serving your customers with little to no interruptions in your businesses’ productivity.

If you find yourself in need of emergency services or have any questions regarding our water restoration process, give us a call at (920) 434-8224.