Winter Facility Maintenance Tips for Chicago Businesses: Keeping Your Property Safe and Functional

With temperatures dropping and snow starting to affect, businesses in Chicago have to be better equipped than ever to handle the specific issues that winter brings in. A good facility maintenance plan helps your business prepare for the incoming winter with minimal risk to high-value repairs. Following are a few, essential winter facility maintenance tips from professionals that will help to ensure your Chicago property remains safe and in full operation throughout the colder months.

1. Chicago Facility Maintenance Tips for Snow and Ice Removal

Snow and ice management in Chicago is highly important for facility maintenance for every business that is highly visited. Slippery walkways, frozen parking lots and snow accumulation at doors and entrance pose risks that can cause people to slip, fall and get injured leading to legal suits.

Clear Walkways Regularly: It is also very important that all walkways including entrances, sidewalks and other passages are shoveled as often as possible. Consider using ice melt products to reduce environmental impact.

Schedule Parking Lot Maintenance: Schedule the removal of snow by hiring snow plowing services for your parking area. Prevent snow and ice accumulation which lead to dangers for the people moving on foot and those in cars.

Install Anti-Slip Mats: Provide slip resisting mats at the door for people entering the building.

2. Heating System Maintenance

Keep your heating system in good condition during a Chicago winter. An unexpected HVAC breakdown not only disrupts your operations but could also result in a very expensive emergency repair bill. That’s why this facility maintenance tips for Chicago businesses are crucial:

Schedule Inspection: It is quite critical that the heating system is checked by technicians. This includes the furnace, boilers, and heat pumps.

Change Filters: Filthy filters overwork your HVAC, that is why breakdowns occur. Ensure that you change them regularly to provide good quality air, while enhancing the efficiency of the system.

Check Thermostats: Properly calibrate thermostats to ensure they read the temperature correctly and maintain constant, comfortable levels for all employees and clients.

3. Insulate Pipes to Avoid Freezing

Water damage is common in Chicago mainly because pipes can freeze and burst, especially in old buildings. This winter disaster can be prevented through good insulation and periodic checking.

Insulate Exposed Pipes: Water pipes that are exposed to cold temperature in the basement or exterior walls should be insulated by foam sleeves, or pipe wrap.

Leave Heat On in Low-Traffic Areas: Do not switch off the heating system in areas of the building that may not be frequently used. Ensure the temperature is above freezing in order not to cause pipe bursts.

Drip Faucets During Extreme Cold: Starting up the faucet when the temperatures are very low keeps the water flowing through the pipes and minimizing chances of freezing.

4.Chicago Facility Maintenance Guide for Roof and Gutter Care

Heavy snow accumulation and ice on the roof can disrupt the roof and cause concentrated melting of water and damage the roof, this may also lead to the formation of the ice dams which also bring leaks or possibly cause the roof to collapse. Roof maintenance is critical to avoid such problems as the winter in Chicago is around the corner.

Clear Snow Accumulation: Clear accumulated snow on the roof to avoid putting more force to structures. In case of buildings that are large it would be advisable to contact a professional snow removal company.

Inspect for Leaks and Damages: Inspect your roof for damage or leakage before winter arrives. Any problems should be fixed to avoid the situation deteriorating because of snow and ice.

Clean Gutters: Improper guttering can cause accumulation of ice in the gutter and water damages. Trim trees before the first snowfall to get rid of leaves, debris or dirt that may be on them.

5. Increase Indoor Air Quality Measures

Cold weather leads to closed windows and sealed building environments that can dramatically reduce indoor air quality. As the HVAC systems run more in winter, indoor air can be dry and be filled with allergens or pathogens. Ensuring good indoor air quality is an essential aspect of facility maintenance in Chicago, especially during the colder months.

HEPA Filters: Consider the installation of HEPA filters that help in trapping allergens in an HVAC system. This will be most important either in a medical office or any other commercial setting that is highly occupied by employees.

Humidifiers: Winter air can be very dry; it may cause discomfort for the occupants. A humidifier maintains the humidity level within the optimal range and makes the area more comfortable and healthy.

6. Improve Entryway and Lobby Protection

Damp, wet or frozen shoes pose a threat indoors. Your initial entrances and lobbies should be prepared for managing increased humidity and dirt of the winter season.

Install Durable Mats: Utilize the thick mats at the entrances, so they can soak the water and reduce the chance of falls.

Set Up a Shoe Cleaning Station: If possible provide an area to clean the shoes at the entrance most preferably with an area to wipe the snow.

Increase Cleaning Frequency: The winter is usually a messier season especially in the entry areas. It is recommended that other areas, where water can collect, should be wiped more often to ensure they remain dry, clean, and safe, for the visitors and employees.

7. Facility Maintenance in Chicago: Winter Safety for Emergency Exits

In case one needs to get out in an emergency situation during winter, all exits should be free and well-lit.

Back-up Generators: Pre-inspect and pre-test the back-up generators in advance to ensure availability to sustain your facility, if necessary.

Emergency Lighting: Check if all emergency lighting works. Replace burned-out bulbs.

Snow and Ice Exits: Ensure that all emergency exit routes are accessible and free of snow and ice in case of an evacuation.

8. Plan for Deep Cleaning Post Winter

Winter leaves a lot of dirt, grime, and residue in the facility. A booked post-winter deep cleaning can be extremely refreshing as the spring season approaches.

Focus on High-Traffic Areas: Entryways and lobbies are areas that face heavy foot traffic during winter and thus may need special attention.

Window Cleaning: Winter’s harsh elements gather a significant amount of dirt on your windows. Let an expert window cleaning service get that fresh look back for your business.

Carpet and Floor Cleaning: Snow, salt, and dirt tracked in during winter can permanently damage carpets and floors. Having a deep clean will remove all residues that will also extend the life of your flooring.

Prepare for a Safe and Productive Winter Season

Being better prepared for the winter season will save you money on costly repairs, cut down on accidents that might happen, and keep your operations running efficiently. By applying these facility maintenance tips, your property will be ready for strong winter months, while your employees and customers will appreciate the safe and clean environment.

Winter Facility Maintenance Contact Power Bright Cleaning

When you need professional help with winter maintenance, Power Bright Cleaning Services has customized facility solutions in Chicago. Everything from snow removal, to HVAC inspections to deep cleaning-we’ve got your back. Want to hear more about how winter maintenance services can benefit your facility? Contact us today at (312) 312-7866 or fill out our form to schedule your winter maintenance services.