Winter Checklist
Whether your climate is snowy or mild, it’s important to protect your church property during the coldest months of the year. Here is a non-exclusive list of items to check:
INSIDE
- After months of not being used, it is important that heating systems are functioning properly and efficiently. If systems are not maintained, the risk of fire and release of carbon monoxide and other gases increases. Have a qualified professional assess the heating system.
- Evaluate and take necessary steps to prevent frozen pipes and the plumbing damage they cause. Cold weather water damage problems can be costly.
OUTSIDE
- Accumulation of snow or ice on the roof can stress the structure and cause damage to shingles, gutters, downspouts, and flashing. If you see snow or ice accumulating on the roof, arrange to get it removed.
- Verify that unimpeded natural drainage takes place as temperatures rise and fall. It may be necessary to get professional help to remove dangerous accumulations of snow or ice or repair damaged or blocked drainage systems.
- Inspect all walkways, entrances, exits, and parking areas for ice or snow accumulations. Make sure handrails are free from ice. You can minimize slip-and-falls during this season by using sand for traction and salt or similar chemical substitutes for melting ice and snow.
Once you’ve checked over your church property, take a moment to complete or update your Episcopal Asset Map listing. In the event of severe winter weather, the Asset Map can be an invaluable tool for locating resources within the Episcopal network to meet our communities’ needs.
Article content: Portions of this article are adapted from the Good Steward newsletter, published by Church Insurance Agency Corporation.
Photo credit: By John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons