As winter persists, facility managers must focus on ensuring their buildings are prepared to withstand the harsh conditions that continue with the colder months. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice can cause significant damage to both the interior and exterior of a building if not properly managed.

Prevent Heat Loss: Insulate for Efficiency

One of the primary concerns in winter facility management is preventing heat loss. Cold weather can cause significant energy costs if a building is not properly insulated. Insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and improving energy efficiency.

Key areas to inspect for insulation:

Roof insulation: Check for adequate insulation in these areas to prevent warm air from escaping.
Windows and doors: Ensure that windows and doors are sealed properly to prevent drafts.
Pipes and ducts: Insulate pipes and ductwork to avoid heat loss and keep them from freezing.

Proper insulation not only improves energy efficiency but also helps in maintaining consistent indoor temperatures, reducing heating costs, and increasing occupant comfort. A building enclosure consultant can conduct a thermal imaging survey to help determine where your building envelope is experiencing heat loss.

Snow Removal and Ponding: Stay Ahead of Water Damage

Snow accumulation can be a significant issue for buildings, especially when it melts and leads to water pooling on the structure’s roof or around the foundation. Effective snow removal is essential to prevent ponding, which can lead to moisture intrusion and costly damage.

Tips for snow removal and managing ponding:

Clear snow promptly: Regularly clear snow from roofs, walkways, parking lots, and building entrances. Accumulated snow can lead to structural strain and dangerous ice patches.
Roof and pavement drainage: Ensure proper drainage systems are in place, especially on flat roofs. Roof drains and scuppers must be free from debris to avoid water buildup.
Ponding prevention: If ponding occurs around building foundations, address it quickly to avoid long-term moisture intrusion and the risk of structural damage.

Timely snow removal is essential in preventing standing water, which can cause water intrusion, mold growth, and structural deterioration over time.

Prevent Ice Dams: Protect the Roof and Building Envelope

Ice dams are one of the most common winter challenges facility managers face. Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts due to heat escaping from the building’s interior. The melted water flows down the roof but refreezes at the colder eaves, which are often near the roof’s edge. This process creates a dam of ice that prevents additional melting snow from draining properly. As the dam forms, the backed-up water can seep under the roof covering (e.g., shingles or other roofing materials), potentially causing leaks and water damage inside the building.

How to prevent ice dams:

Improve roof insulation: Ensure that the roof assembly is well-insulated to reduce heat transfer from the interior. This helps maintain a consistent temperature across the roof and prevents the premature melting of snow, which can lead to ice dam formation.
Enhance building envelope airtightness: Make sure that any gaps or areas around the roof and building envelope are properly sealed. This prevents warm air from escaping and reaching the roof surface, which can cause melting snow to refreeze at the eaves.
Install ice and water shield membranes or similar protective layers: Use ice and water shield membranes, or other moisture barriers, directly beneath the roofing material. These layers prevent water from penetrating the building structure if ice dams form and water backs up.

By addressing the root causes of ice dams, facility managers can reduce the risk of costly water damage and prolong the lifespan of the building’s roof.

Managing Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Minimize Structural Damage

Freeze-thaw cycles occur when temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point, causing water in porous materials like concrete to freeze and thaw repeatedly. This process can lead to cracks in building materials, particularly on exterior walls, pavements, and parking structures.

Steps to manage freeze-thaw cycles:

Seal cracks and joints: Inspect facades, foundations, and pavements for cracks. Seal them to prevent water infiltration, which can cause damage during freeze-thaw cycles.
Use de-icing agents with caution: Avoid using salt-based de-icing agents on concrete surfaces, as they can exacerbate freeze-thaw damage. Instead, use sand or other less damaging alternatives.
Maintain drainage systems: Ensure that drainage systems are clear and functional to prevent water from pooling around the building and freezing in cracks.

By taking preventive measures, facility managers can reduce the impact of freeze-thaw cycles, protecting the building’s structural integrity.

Prevent Moisture Intrusion: Protect Roofs, Facades, and Pavement

Moisture intrusion is one of the most damaging issues that can arise during the winter months. Leaks caused by ice dams, poor insulation, or damaged facades can result in significant water damage, mold growth, and even foundation issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to proactively manage moisture risks.

Key areas to address:

Roofs: Survey the roof for damaged roof membranes, open flashings, or compromised seals around vents and rooftop penetrations. Leaky roofs are one of the most common sources of moisture intrusion.
Building facades: Examine exterior walls for cracks or gaps in caulking. Ensure that the building’s exterior is weatherproofed and watertight to protect against wind-driven rain and snow.
Pavement and parking structures: Parking areas and walkways should be properly sealed and drained to prevent water intrusion, which can freeze and cause damage.

Regular maintenance of these building components helps prevent water infiltration that can cause serious damage during the cold season.

Regular Winter Assessments: A Proactive Approach

One of the best ways to prevent costly damage is by conducting bi-annual building envelope assessments in addition to performing regular preventive maintenance throughout the year. At Technical Assurance, we recommend conducting assessments in autumn to address issues before the winter season, and again in the spring to repair any damage from winter weather. Facility managers should perform thorough checks of all building components, including the roof, façade, parking lots, and drainage systems.

Winter Checklist:

Roof inspection: Check for signs of wear, ice dams, or snow buildup.
Foundation and pavement: Look for cracks or pooling water around the foundation.
Insulation and ventilation: Confirm that insulation is intact and attic ventilation is functioning properly.

By staying proactive, facility managers can identify potential issues before they become major problems, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Conclusion: A Winter-Ready Facility

Winter poses several challenges for facility managers, particularly when it comes to maintaining a building’s enclosure. Focusing on insulation, snow removal, ice dam prevention, freeze-thaw cycles, and moisture intrusion helps keep buildings safe and efficient throughout the season. Regular assessments and a proactive approach ensure optimal building condition, preventing costly repairs and maintaining a safe environment for occupants. By addressing these winter challenges, facility managers can minimize risks, optimize energy efficiency, and reduce disruptions.

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Winter Facility Management Tips: How to Keep Your Building Safe and Efficient