Prepping Your Property for Winter: Fall Maintenance & Waterproofing Projects
The colder months bring harsher weather conditions that can damage your building’s exterior. Fall is the ideal time to tackle key maintenance and waterproofing projects—before winter hits and minor issues escalate into major, costly repairs.
We’ve put together some essential fall projects to help ensure your building is well-prepared to withstand the season ahead.
1. Inspect and Repair Sealants on Your Facade and Garage
Winter brings snow, ice, and heavy rains, putting your building at risk for water infiltration. Waterproofing measures, including sealing cracks and applying protective coatings around windows, doors, and control joints, are critical to prevent water from entering and causing long-term damage.
Over time, caulking can crack, shrink, or deteriorate, allowing moisture to seep into the building’s structure and tenant spaces. If left unchecked, water infiltration during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can cause significant structural damage and leaks to your building and garage.
Fall Project:
Conduct a full waterproofing assessment of your building’s facade, parking garages, and roofs to identify any vulnerabilities. This simple step can prevent costly water damage and seal your building against the elements.
2. Inspect Your Roof for Leaks & Damage
Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. Fall is the perfect time to conduct a thorough roof inspection, looking for signs of wear and tear, such as loose shingles, cracks, and damaged flashing. Addressing these issues before winter can prevent leaks caused by snow and ice buildup.
Fall Project:
Schedule an inspection and any necessary repairs to ensure your roof is ready to handle the snow, ice, and wind that winter brings.
At PIERCE, this roof inspection is done alongside a facade inspection. We’ll provide a comprehensive report on the entire building envelope.
3. Check and Clean Gutters & Downspouts
As autumn leaves begin to fall, they can easily clog your gutters and downspouts if neglected. Clogged drainage systems often create water pooling around your building’s foundation, causing erosion, leaks, and even flooding.
Fall Project:
Have gutters and downspouts cleaned out to ensure proper drainage during rain and snow. While cleaning, inspect for any damage and make necessary repairs to avoid water issues during winter storms.
4. Take Advantage of LIFECYCLE360
As a PIERCE client, you have complimentary access to LIFECYCLE360, our proprietary facade-assessment technology. Our certified LIFECYCLE360 technicians will provide a detailed, real-time report of your building’s exterior condition during regular maintenance visits (window and/or garage cleaning). This comprehensive report (from foundation to roof) empowers you to make informed decisions about necessary repairs, helping you prioritize and plan your fall maintenance projects and prepare your building to weather the winter storms. These reports are also an excellent tool to plan and predict next year’s budgetary needs. It’s not a matter of if, but when repairs will need to be done. With LIFECYCLE360, you can take back control of the timing.
Fall Project:
Review your latest LIFECYCLE360 report to assess your building’s readiness for winter and prioritize repairs that will prevent costly damage later.
Prepare Now to Avoid Winter Woes
Proactive maintenance and waterproofing in the fall can make all the difference when winter hits. Due to the freeze-thaw cycle, winter can significantly expedite issues in the building and garage. Addressing smaller issues before the cold weather arrives can prevent stressful surprises and minimize costly repairs. At PIERCE, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to book your fall maintenance services and get ahead of the winter weather.