Winter Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Businesses: How to Prevent Cold Weather Damage

The cold Ottawa winter can put a real strain on plumbing systems for businesses. Problems that lead to downtime or water damage can be extremely costly, making preventative maintenance and regular checkups very important.

But what should a business keep in mind when looking ahead to the winter months? And what support can you expect or ask from an Ottawa plumbing company that is able to offer maintenance services?

Here is a list of some of the most common considerations to keep in mind:

Inspect Pipes for Damage or Weaknesses

Damaged pipes can cause problems in a real hurry whether the damage is due to freezing and thawing, or simply just wear and tear over many years of use.

When winter is on its way, one thing to check for is the condition of exposed pipes and to make sure that any pipes near exterior walls, basements or crawl spaces are properly insulated. A plumber may need to give into these spaces to add or replace insulation sleeves or add heat tape.

Any small leaks found during this process will also need to be fixed, as they will only get worse over time.

Check Water Heaters and Heating Systems

Over time, water heaters can build up sediments which will ruin their efficiency. An inspection from a professional commercial plumber can help diagnose and resolve this issue. This is also a chance to check the settings on any thermostats to make sure they are correctly set to avoid pipe freezing and to maintain a good level for comfort.

Next, an inspection should check the condition of the boiler and radiant systems. The mechanical room should be in good working condition. This is also an opportunity to check the condition of the air circulation systems and vents. A heating system working efficiently won’t be helpful if the vents aren’t properly distributing the warm air where it needs to go.

Make Sure Emergency Systems are in Place

Check on any backup systems to make sure they are working properly and any drains or stormwater systems are unobstructed and ready in case extreme weather conditions strike. You’ll want to make sure that the building remains safe in the event of anything that winter can throw your way.

How can a commercial plumber help?

A pre-winter inspection from a licensed plumber gives the opportunity to identify anything that might be worn out, running inefficiently or in need of replacement. Especially for larger facilities, this can give peace of mind that the business’s vital plumbing systems aren’t hanging by a thread.

Modern technology such as smart leak detectors and temperature sensors can also be installed to give a more thorough overview on the conditions and state of the business plumbing systems.