The winters in Calgary can be brutal. Snow can last for about five months out of the year, with temperatures dipping as low as -40°C.
As a property owner or manager, it’s important to stay on top of the winter preparations for your commercial property. Commercial landscape maintenance is something that should be done all year long, but it’s especially important during the winter. Your customers depend upon your business to stay open even in inclement weather.
This guide will go over everything you need to know about commercial landscape maintenance and how to winterize your property.
Remove Dead Branches or Trees
Snow and ice can be heavy, even for healthy branches and trees. The extra weight can cause them to topple. It’s even more dangerous for dying, weak, and dead branches.
The winter weather can result in them falling down, threatening parked cars, buildings, or pedestrians. As you begin your winter preparation, look for branches and trees that should be pruned or removed. You want to avoid them falling and causing property damage or hurting someone.
Winterize Your Landscaping
You’ve likely invested a lot of money and time into your commercial property’s landscaping. As cooler temperatures start to hit, you want to protect your investment by taking care of plants that don’t withstand freezing temperatures. You should bring inside or cover planters and other decor items that could freeze and crack.
Do this before the temperatures start to plummet to prevent damage. You’ll also avoid having to buy new plants and other items in the upcoming year.
Another thing you’ll want to do is mulch in the fall. Mulching keeps weeds from forming, helps your soil retain its moisture, and prevents your soil from washing away. It also acts as insulation for your soil and plants.
Insulate all of the permanent plants that’ll stay outside during the winter. This will protect them through freezing temperatures and when it comes time for them to thaw in the spring.
While fall is a great time to prepare your plants for freezing temperatures, it’s also a great time for seeding and aeration. Aeration will encourage solid root growth in your grass before winter sets in.
Overseeding follows after aeration. The holes created by aeration are great places for the grass seed to go. Look into those two items when preparing your landscape for winter.
Fix Drainage Issues
Check that all of your drains are clear of debris and leaves. As clogged drains flood, they’ll freeze and become dangerous.
Have you noticed that your gutters are overflowing with water, causing an abundance of liquid on your paved surfaces? When that water freezes, you’ll have a liability issue.
Redirect any gutters as needed. Prepare your commercial property for winter by dealing with drainage issues before freezing temperatures hit. You don’t want to have multiple locations where ice accumulates.
In addition, your gutters should be regularly cleaned out during the winter months. A company that’s experienced in gutter cleaning will pay attention to the connections and corner pieces in your gutter system. They’ll know which areas are more prone to blockage and will clear them out.
Your gutters should also be routinely inspected for weaknesses. They should be repaired or replaced before heavy rains and snow hit.
Eliminate Leaves From Your Commercial Landscaping
Wet leaves can encourage disease formation and suffocate your grass. Pedestrians can also slip on them if they’re not cleared away. They can also give your property the appearance of being neglected.
If ice or snow forms on top of a pile of leaves, it can cause even more problems. The leaves can also clog drain pipes, resulting in water backing up and freezing over. Remove all leaves from your property as quickly as possible.
Check That Your Building is Winter Ready
Having a clean property is not only inviting for your customers and tenants, but it makes the space safe for them as well. Install slip-resistant flooring and floor mats to help avoid slips and spills.
You’ll also want to make sure you have adequate lighting around the exterior of your building. During winter, there are more business hours during dusk or at night. The following areas should be well lit:
- Entrances
- Parking lots
- Driveways
- Walkways
Look into automatic lights that have sensors that turn on in the evening or when they sense motion. You’ll also want to ensure that all snow and ice is removed from hallways, walkways, and entrances.
Hire a Commercial Snow Removal Company
Don’t wait until the first ice or snow storm to hire a snow removal company. High-quality companies book up far in advance. You need to be prepared early to ensure you have a snow removal plan set in place before it even happens.
The best types of commercial snow removal companies should come out to your property to familiarize themselves with the area. They should know where they want to put the snow once they clear it from your property. They should also know where the drains, curbs, and walkways are as well.
Create an Emergency Plan for Dangerous Weather
Now that you know how to prepare your property for winter, you should come up with a plan for your tenants and employees when weather strikes. They should know when to expect the snow removal company to arrive on your property. They should also be aware of where they should park and where the snow will be piled.
Keeping your delivery companies, employees, and tenants in the know will not only make them feel better but increase the safety of your property. They’ll know what the plan is and feel secure that their safety is a priority.
Contact Pro Property Services for Your Winter Landscape Maintenance Needs
Don’t wait until it’s too late to prepare your property for winter. Schedule regular landscape maintenance with a qualified commercial property management maintenance company to avoid any potential hazards from arising.
Contact us today to request a free quote.