6 Savvy Winter Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Church Damage-Free
As they do with your home, the temperature changes and fluctuations in moisture levels occurring winter can cause a great deal of wear and tear to your church facilities. Preparing the building and grounds for the cold weather and performing maintenance during the winter, however, could decrease the risk of damage and keep your church running properly. Implementing even a few of the commonly recommended winter maintenance tips can ensure that winter is not the cause of damage and that your ministry is free to focus on its true mission.
At Beacon Insurance Agency of Pace, Inc., we have a strong partnership with GuideOne Insurance that enables us to provide our clients with invaluable safety resources geared toward ministries. In our efforts to offer them the guidance they need and illuminate their way to peace of mind, we recommend that they consider the need to weatherproof their facility against damage that might occur during winter.
Freeze Winter Damage in Its Tracks
The most effective winter maintenance tips address both the interior as well as the exterior of the facility:
· Hire a professional to inspect and service the heating system to ensure that it is fully functional. Check the condition of furnace filters monthly. Most will need to be replaced every three months
· Prepare your water pipes for cold weather. Water pipes are susceptible to damage in winter because extremely low temperatures can cause them to freeze or burst. In order to prevent an issue, take steps accordingly
o Use pipe insulation to wrap exposed pipes or pipes in unheated areas.
o Turn all exterior faucets to a slow drip to prevent freezing during extremely cold temperatures
o Insulate exterior walls and unheated areas of the building
o If a pipe does become frozen or bursts, shut off the water at the building’s main water valve and contact a professional immediately.
· Inspect the roof for possible leaks before winter and empty all gutters, eaves and downspouts of water or debris. Throughout winter, take steps to prevent ice dams from forming, which are caused when snow and ice builds up on the roof.
o Ensure that the attic is adequately insulated and ventilated
o Install soffit vents to increase ventilation
o Seal off any openings in the attic including vent pipes, heating ducts and lighting fixtures
o Perform regular maintenance of gutters, eaves and downspouts to keep them clear
o Use a snow rake to clear away accumulations of snow two to three feet from all roof edges
· Drain and disconnect all hoses running to exterior faucets or lawn-irrigation systems prior to winter freezes
· Inspect the condition of all handrails so that they are free of damage and adequately secured, which will significantly decrease the risk of slip and fall accidents. During icy weather, apply de-icing products to walkways and take special care to de-ice all entryways
· In order to determine when it will be necessary to remove snow and ice from the church grounds, monitor the weather reports on a daily basis. To be properly prepared, your church should have equipment including shovels, ice melters, and snow blowers. Remove snow after an inch or more has accumulated to reduce the risks of danger and damage.
Call Beacon Insurance Agency of Pace, Inc. today to learn more about GuideOne and the insurance policies we offer!
