Why a calendar helps
Most of the water losses in industrial buildings come from a short list of causes: sprinkler piping that freezes, roof drains that clog before a storm, roofing damaged by hail or wind, and doors or windows that let weather in. Each has a season. A calendar turns general good intentions into specific tasks assigned to specific months.
Adjust the timing to your building. Exact dates of first freeze, the hail season and spring storms vary from year to year, so treat the months below as reminders, not rules. Watch forecasts and move tasks earlier when cold or storms come early.
Buildings with unheated docks, canopies or attached sheds need the winter tasks most. Buildings with large flat roofs and many skylights need the spring and summer tasks most. Weight the calendar toward whichever describes your facility.
Month by month
- September to October
- Have the sprinkler contractor drain dry-pipe low points and check air compressors before the first hard freeze. Test unit heaters in dock areas. Clear roof drains and gutters of summer debris.
- November to February
- Watch for arctic cold snaps. Keep dock doors closed when not in use, check heat in sprinkler riser rooms, and drain low points again after each cold spell. Inspect for ice damming at roof edges.
- March to April
- Heavy, wet spring snow can load roofs and then melt fast. Clear drains and scuppers, watch for ponding, and keep a plan for snow removal from roofs if loads become a concern.
- May to August
- Hail and severe thunderstorm season. Check skylights and roof panels after each storm, keep tarps and sheeting on hand, and confirm roofer contact information is current.
- After any major storm
- Walk the floor for new leaks, check doors for damage, and photograph the roof from safe vantage points.
Keep these on hand year-round
- Plastic sheeting large enough to cover a machine or rack bay.
- Squeegees and a wet vacuum.
- Sandbags or water barriers for door thresholds.
- Tags and locks for wet equipment.
- A charged camera or phone kept for documentation.
- Printed copies of the pre-loss worksheet and contact list.
Commercial space stripped to the studs inside plastic containment. A representative photo of the task, not a record of work at any particular property.
General information for Commerce City, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.