6 Proactive Steps for a Worry-Free Winter
Our Top Winter Priorities to Safeguard Your Property
Winter is more than just a season of chilly temperatures. It's also an opportune time to take proactive measures to safeguard your property while saving some hard-earned money. During the winter months, you can seize the chance to address structural or safety issues, spruce up interior spaces, and tackle essential façade maintenance items. Let's explore the top six priorities that can keep your property protected and in top shape during the colder months.
1. Gutter Cleaning: Channeling Water Away
As your building’s most prominent drainage system, gutters play a vital role in directing water away from your property, preventing potential damage to its foundation and exterior. Gutters and downspouts clogged with leaves or other debris can cause water damage, and when overflowing, cause resident complaints. Addressing gutter cleaning during winter is an economic way to prevent costly repairs down the line.
2. Pressure Washing: Reducing Grime and Mold
While winter's colder temperatures may make outdoor chores less appealing, pressure washing is a perfect way to level up Nature’s cleaning. Over the course of a year, the rain / sun cycle can leave your building's exterior covered in grime, mold, and mildew. Pressure washing rejuvenates your property's appearance, protects its integrity, and ensures a clean start for the warmer months ahead.
3. Interior Painting: Aesthetic and Health Benefits
With more time spent indoors during winter, the interior appearance of your property becomes paramount. Painting during the winter enhances aesthetics, increasing resident appreciation and retention. If residents see ownership investment in (their) property, they are more inclined to stay put, and even take better care of the property themselves. Also, a fresh coat of paint is a chance to apply newer low or no-VOC finishes that contribute to an overall healthier environment.
4. Deck Inspections & Repairs: Ensuring Safety
Maintaining the integrity of your decks is critical, and now mandated by law per SB721 and 326 ordinances. While you may not be able to apply complete deck coating systems if the temperatures are too low, inspections can be performed, and temporary patches or caulking can be installed if needed.
Winter and summer thermal cycling can be tough on decks, that, due to their horizontal orientation can be heavily exposed to the elements. Early detection of issues is crucial for safety. Inspections help identify, loose boards, damaged railings, failed caulking, ponding water and even potential structural weakness. If necessary, temporary patches or caulking can be applied to mitigate potential hazards until more extensive repairs can be made.
5. Substrate Repairs: Guarding Vulnerable Areas
If your building has wood dryrot or masonry spalls and cracks, winter is a great time to get these repaired, so you are ready to apply coatings when Spring rolls around. Winter is a challenging time for building exteriors, and vulnerable areas can become easy pathways for water damage. Left exposed during rainy months, these vulnerable areas are an easy pathway for water to further damage the substrate and increase future repair costs. Addressing substrate repairs during the winter prevents further deterioration, reducing future repair costs. Protect your property by maintaining a sound building envelope.
6. Tune-Up Caulking: Sealing Against the Cold
Caulking around windows, doors and building joints has a lifespan, like tires on your car. Making sure your caulking is still bonded and flexible is key to keeping water and moisture out of your building. Between paint cycles, you can have the caulking inspected, and repaired as needed, to get you through the winter months. Regularly inspect and maintain caulking during the winter months to ensure it remains bonded and flexible. Proper caulking keeps water and moisture out, contributing to a warm, dry and structurally sound building.
Proactive Winter Maintenance Pays Off
By prioritizing these six winter maintenance tasks, you not only protect your property but also potentially save money in the long run. Don't let the winter chill deter you; embrace it as an opportunity to fortify your property and enjoy peace of mind throughout the season.
