How to Protect Your Building From Freezing

Every building owner needs to know many kinds of problems about keeping their buildings working correctly. One way of ensuring the building functions properly against severe hot weather is through insulation. However, there is also a need to protect building systems and equipment during the winter season.

You may think that the entire building will protect everything inside because you had the best contractors build it. That's where you're wrong because freezing is one of the most annoying problems to deal with, especially when your area experiences it frequently. If you want to learn how to keep your building protected from extreme cold weather, Access Doors and Panels has got your back!

Tip #1: Check Your Water Pipes Regularly

Your water pipes become susceptible to freezing damage because they usually stay outside of your building. Your water company supplies your building with water, and the lines outside will experience the cold. Usually, water pipes exposed to low temperatures can break faster. One hit with a hammer can already cause it to break. 

That's one reason you have to have your pipes regularly checked by a skilled plumbing contractor. When they notice an exposed water pipe, they cover it with heating tape to prevent the cold from freezing them. You can also provide extra freezing protection by putting up wall insulation. 

Tip #2: Seal Building Cracks and Holes

One fact you need to know about cold weather is that it can find its way inside your building through the tiniest cracks and holes. Don't ignore such an issue, thinking its size won't affect your entire structure. Neglecting such issues might cause inconveniences inside the building, especially in the long run. One possible place that might have holes or cracks is in your building windows. 

You may need to hire building inspection services to check those tiny cracks and gaps around the window frame. Once they give you a detailed report about the issues they find, you have to get it fixed as quickly as possible. Usually, the job won't last more than an hour since they only apply foam insulation on those cracks and holes. 

Tip #3: Add More Insulation

The best method to keep your building insulated is by adding more of it. If you have a single-floor commercial building, you can add more insulation on the roof attic because it can protect everyone inside and most building components, such as electrical wires, plumbing systems, or ducts. 

Ensure you let a professional handle the insulation process because they know how to do it correctly. Most people that do the insulation on their own tend to encounter dangerous problems like inhaling dust particles. Remember that insulation contains toxic elements, including formaldehyde, poisonous chemical flame retardants, and volatile organic compounds. 

And if you plan on insulating your building components, you can install an aluminum weather-resistant insulated access panel from Access Doors and Panels. 

Tip #4: Keep the Water Running

You don't have to turn on the water faucet for hours to prevent your water pipes from freezing. Make sure you use your building water regularly to keep the water flowing within the water pipes. And if no one is using the faucet, you can ask your maintenance personnel to open the faucets by a tiny bit to let it drip and still keep the water flowing. 

It's better to make the faucet drip than to keep wasting a ton of water within the day to keep your building's water bill low. It's also best to utilize your building's water heating system to ensure the water pipes stay warm throughout the day. 

Tip #5: Keep the Thermostat On

If you have an HVAC system, make sure you set it to a high temperature to keep your building's inside warm. And when you pair it with excellent building insulation, the warm air won't escape and prevent your HVAC systems from working twice as hard. 

The cold season is almost near, so you have to remember the different tips mentioned protecting your building from the cold weather. If you need assistance with keeping your home or commercial building protected, visit us today at Access Doors and Panels or call us right away at 1-800-609-2917 to learn more about our products.