Preparing for Winter: Don’t Let Weather Hazards Interrupt Your Mission

by | Facilities, Operations

With winter right around the corner, your house of worship should start planning now for the challenges that come with ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Taking the proper steps ahead of winter can help you protect your people and property from the perils of the season.

Your winter prep should focus on some key areas:

  • Assigning people to watch for slippery spots on your sidewalks and parking lots.
  • Protecting your pipes from freezing.
  • Preventing ice dams and roof leaks.
  • Assessing snow and ice accumulation on your roof.
  • Preparing your vehicles for the cold and snow.
  • Educating members on proper footwear and best practices during the winter. 

Here is how you can address those concerns to keep both your building and people safe.

Monitoring your sidewalks and parking lots

Church members of all ages run the risk of slipping and falling on their way to and from your building. The following are some ways you can help protect them:

  1. Establish a process for clearing ice and snow. When conditions become snowy or slippery, you should have people within your church—or an outside company—who are ready to remove ice and snow. When there is snowfall during hours when people will be on-site, those workers should be clearing snow at regular intervals.
  2. Keep bags of salt or sand near your doors. Make it easy for staff and volunteers to find de-icing supplies quickly.
  3. Keep ice from building up outside. A clogged roof gutter or accumulation of snow on the roof can result in water or slush dripping onto the sidewalk below and freezing. Be vigilant about those areas to keep them free of ice or slippery spots.

Protecting your pipes from freezing

Even if you are located in an area with typically mild winter temperatures, you still run the risk of frozen pipes. To reduce the risk, you can take the following actions:

  • Regulate your building’s temperature. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when your building will be unoccupied for an extended period.
  • Insulate attics, crawl spaces and between wall partitions. This will help your building retain heat and keep the temperature from dropping to a dangerous level.
  • Insulate your pipes. Wrap pipes that are in uninsulated or particularly cold areas of the building.
  • Consider shutting off the water to your building. You may consider doing this if heat is lost during cold temperatures or if the building will be vacant for a long time. You could invest in an automatic excess flow valve to protect your facility.
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach plumbing inside. It’s also a good idea to open faucets and let them drip during extremely cold temperatures.
  • Install temperature and water sensors. These systems alert you remotely when it senses excess water or a significant drop in the temperature inside your building – helping to prevent frozen pipes and water damage. 

Preventing ice dams and leaks

Ice dams form when heavy snow on the roof melts during the day and then refreezes when temperatures drop overnight. To help prevent this, inspect your roof before the first snowfall, secure any loose shingles and repair breaks in flashing seals. Keep your gutters, drains and downspouts free of debris that may restrict proper flow. Make sure attic areas are insulated and properly ventilated.

Decreasing snow and ice accumulation on your roof

Your roof should be designed to withstand the expected snow load for your location. However, you should be ready to monitor and remove snow and ice from vulnerable roof sections. The following loads add about five pounds per square foot on a roof: 

  • 10-12 inches of new snow.
  • 3-5 inches of packed/old snow.
  • 1 inch of ice. 

If an excessive amount of snow has accumulated on your building’s roof, consider hiring a licensed and insured professional to remove it. Equipment such as a roof rake should be used to prevent damage to the roof.

Preparing your vehicles

Winter weather can be hard on your vehicles. The following are tips to follow when preparing your vehicles for frigid winter weather:

  • Consider changing to snow tires for the winter. Snow tires are designed for better traction on snow and ice at low temperatures.
  • Test your battery. Your battery is more likely to fail in wintry weather, so test it to be sure it is ready for winter.
  • Make sure your gas tank is always at least half full. Gas tanks are more likely to freeze when they are nearly empty.
  • Maintain your tire pressure. Even a slight change in temperature can decrease tire pressure. Check your pressure regularly so your vehicle can maintain optimal grip and performance.
  • Change your windshield wiper fluid. Change to a fluid that will not freeze in cold temperatures, and regularly check your windshield wipers to ensure they are free of cracks and tears. 
  • Make sure your rear-window defroster is working. Since rear-window defrosters are not used during the summer, check to make sure it will function properly when needed.

Educating members

Consider starting a communication campaign with your members to convey the following information:

  1. Select proper footwear. Shoes or boots that have rubber or neoprene composite soles have better traction on ice than leather or plastic. 
  2. Use caution when entering or exiting your vehicle. In icy conditions, exit your vehicle first, then grab any items you need from inside. Hold on to your vehicle for support.
  3. Take short, shuffling steps. This makes it easier for your body to right itself before slipping.
  4. Do not run. You may not see “black ice” until it is too late, causing you to seriously injure yourself. Assess your travel path by sliding your shoe or boot over it to see if it is slick.

Snow, ice and cold are just part of the yearly routine. Making sure your building, grounds vehicles and members are prepared will help you continue your mission through the winter months. 

About the author

Eric Spacek is Assistant Vice President – Risk Control, Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I.

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