Preventing Winter Damage

Managing the impact of winter storms on the building enclosure begins long before the weather turns cold. While some snow- and ice-related problems can be prevented through routine maintenance, such as keeping drains clear, others require foresight and planning to overcome. In this presentation, participants will investigate common winter woes, along with suggested preventive measures that could have averted the damage, deterioration, and dangerous conditions wrought by cold weather.

Problems ranging from ice dams at roof eaves to deicing chemical damage present participants with the opportunity to consider not only the characteristic symptoms of the issue, but also possible causes. Often, what works as a preventive measure can also be effective as a remedial solution, so those facilities currently suffering the effects of winter damage can discover potential strategies for combatting problems already underway. Each building and circumstance is unique, so addressing falling snow and ice, snow loads, flooding, heaving, snow removal, and other concerns demands a nuanced approach. The appropriate winter weather plan likely involves some combination of the strategies outlined in this presentation, customized to the situation.