One of the most demanding tasks of managing a business or commercial property is handling winter storms. Colorado is no stranger to rough winter weather, so it’s a necessity that your property is equipped to minimize the risk of winter-related accidents or injuries. The good news is that you can greatly improve safety conditions on your property by keeping an eye on the weather and making sure that your property is prepared when winter storms are on the way.
Here are 5 ways you can handle winter storms on your Colorado commercial property or business:
How To Manage Winter Storms in Colorado
Keep Winter Emergency Supplies Handy
Keeping winter emergency supplies available is vital for any business or property owner. You should always have snow shovels and de-icers handy so that you can keep building entrances and walkways clear. Extra coats, hats, gloves, and even clean socks will ensure that people stay warm as they go out to clear snow and can change if anything gets too wet. First aid and emergency food and water reserves should also be stocked in case the weather takes a turn for the worst and people end up unable to leave the property for an extended period of time.
Prepping the Building
Ensuring that your building is able to handle winter storms is also essential. Any exposed exterior water pipes should be insulated to prevent freezing and/or cracking. Likewise, clear all gutters to prevent ice dams from forming, and inspect the roof to ensure there aren’t any leaks. Invest in good winter doormats – exterior and interior – to keep snow, ice, and de-icer chemicals from creating hazards or damaging floors. Finally, ensure that all storm drains and other ground-level drainage systems are clear to prevent water from collecting on the property and creating icy conditions.
Prepping the Grounds
Preparing your landscape for winter storms can help to prevent costly remedial work afterward. It’s important to trim back any dead or damaged tree limbs that can break due to winds or ice – these can easily weigh hundreds of pounds and cause extensive property damage or serious injuries. Outdoor furniture and decorations can also be damaged by ice or heavy winds; cover them up or bring them inside to prevent damage. Wrapping trees, shrubs, and other plants with burlap can also help them from being damaged due to ice or wind.
Prepping Your Hardscapes
The key to keeping walkways, parking lots, and other hardscapes clear during winter storms is to be proactive. Regular salts need to be activated with moisture to work properly; pre-wetting surfaces will guarantee they’re doing their job properly. Liquid de-icers don’t need pre-wetting to work properly, and they can actually be combined with regular salts to create a brine that is incredibly effective at pre-treating surfaces. It’s also important to give exterior doorways, accessibility ramps, and exterior stairs extra care. All handrails should be secure, and doormats should be cleared often so that they work properly.
Once The Storm Hits
The best time to clear snow is while it’s still snowing – or as soon as conditions are safe. Giving snow as little time as possible to accumulate will prevent it from compacting into ice. Clearing snow quickly will also cut down on the amount of water that remains on surfaces, which will turn to ice overnight as temperatures drop. It also makes it much easier for everything to dry off once the sun comes out.
If possible, store cleared snow in less-frequented areas of the property, and be aware of where water will flow on the property; this will cut down on risk caused by icy hazards. If there aren’t suitable areas to store snow piles, it’s best to haul them off the property altogether.
Manage Winter Storms on Your Commercial Property with Snow Management Services
For over 25 years, SMS has been the preferred snow removal contractor for hundreds of commercial properties in the Denver area. It all starts with winter property planning, taking the time to identify the most efficient way to keep your property clear and highlighting any possible trouble areas. Quick snow removal and de-icing are critical so that parking lots and sidewalks are clear in order to prevent winter accidents or injuries. Our team is committed to rapid response times during even the roughest winter weather. We can even haul snow off-site to keep your property presentable.
To see how SMS can help keep your Denver-area business or commercial property protected from winter weather, give us a call today at (303) 750-8867 or get in touch with us online to get started.