As the kids get ready to go back to school, we look (not too far) ahead to fall’s arrival. With the cooler temperatures and winter on the horizon, fall maintenance is a must before the snow flies to protect your building and your business.

Create a checklist to make this process simple and consistent each year. Here are some of the elements that need to be included in your fall maintenance plan to get your building ready for winter:

• Clean your gutters and roof drains. These get clogged through the summer and fall with leaves and debris. Cleaning them out will allow for proper drainage from your roof and help mitigate ice damming in the winter.
• Take steps to remain pest-free through the winter. Often, critters like to make a home where it’s warm, so be sure to seal any entry points where they can access your facility or get into your building through your bay or warehouse.
• Get your HVAC checked to make sure that you will be able to heat the building effectively when you need to. This is a good time to have the filters changed and adjust humidity settings to ensure that the system is working when the weather turns.
• Avoid pipes bursting during the winter months by disconnecting outdoor hoses, draining outdoor spigots, and insulating them wherever you can, to keep them as warm as possible as the temperatures drop.
• Assess your landscaping to determine whether it needs attention before winter comes. Now is the time to seed your sod to keep your lawn in good shape, trim your bushes and trees, and install protection like fencing or burlap to protect your landscaping from wind and snow, where needed.
• Take a look at the equipment you may need during the winter and through next spring. Repairs, replacements, and tune-ups should be made to ensure that everything is in good working order. Now may be the time to look at alternative equipment, too. If you are considering going greener with your groundskeeping, fall is a good time to consider your options and add new equipment to your spring budget.
• Get your snow plan in place. Whether you take care of snow removal in-house or use a third party, you need to have a plan for snow removal, storage, and ice prevention to keep your building accessible and safe.

Creating a fall checklist will ensure that you don’t miss anything, saving you time and money during the winter. Documenting the process each year can also help you plan for next year, diagnose potential issues, and address them before they become costly surprises. Taking a proactive approach to fall maintenance will help you get a head start on spring maintenance when the snow thaws.