Once again, winter will soon be upon us here in the Greater Toronto Area. While we bask in the last few days of fall’s milder temperatures, it’s important to take some time to winterize your condominium building. Here are some tips to keep your condo residents comfortable and protected during the season ahead.
COMPLETE EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
In order to keep the interior of your building dry and safe, you need to have a solid building exterior. If there is any damage or leaks on your building’s exterior including the roof, address those concerns first.
Use building sealant and caulking around your building’s doors and windows to maximize energy efficiency and reduce drafts.
And if you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to line up a vendor for snow and ice removal.
HAVE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM INSPECTED
Keeping your building’s HVAC system in good working order provides more benefits than just comfort: it saves on energy costs and reduces your condo building’s environmental footprint.
Hire a licensed contractor to conduct an inspection of the central or in-unit utilities and to complete any necessary repairs. Properly functioning fan coil units are more energy-efficient and also prevent your residents from breathing in potentially dangerous mould spores.
CHECK YOUR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
Just like the gutters on homes, your condo building’s drainage systems need to be cleared out regularly. Rid them of leaves and other debris this fall to ready them for the wet season ahead. Otherwise, dangerous icicles, backups, and even leaks can occur. Spend time properly cleaning your parking garage’s floor drains and drain pipes. To prevent structural problems, salt-laden water from vehicles needs to be quickly drained away from the concrete surface. Always complete maintenance on clean-outs located on the slab’s underside, removable sediment buckets, and grates.
EDUCATE YOUR CONDO RESIDENTS
Keeping your building comfortable and as energy-efficient as possible isn’t a task just for condo Board members and property managers – your condo residents are also responsible.
Host an educational session with your condo residents to remind them of ways to reduce their energy costs this coming winter. Review tips, including proper fan coil and heat pump operation, how to eliminate drafts and proper emergency power failure preparation.
Even small changes can make a big difference in the overall comfort of a unit! Pre-programmed temperature settings on programmable thermostats can be easily adjusted to increase energy efficiency and save on electricity costs.
Without the proper preparations completed at your condo building, the upcoming winter season will seem that much longer. Let CDC help you prepare your parking garage, fan coil units and more for the cold temperatures ahead. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
By Sarah McKenzie
