Winter Maintenance and Snow Removal Tips for Minnesota Commercial Properties
Is your Minnesota commercial property ready for winter? September is a good time to put together your snow removal and winter maintenance plan. Clarity Commercial can help you learn what your property needs and arrange a snow removal vendor so you know your property will remain accessible and safe through the winter months.
Prepare Your Snow Removal and Deicing Plan
Work with your property management company to determine your snow removal and deicing plan. Getting your contract in place now means you won’t need to scramble and arrange service when the first snow falls. Clarity Commercial can recommend a snow removal vendor who can serve you and your property all winter long.
When you set up a contract with your snow removal company, be sure to clearly define your expectations for their service, including when snow is cleared and deicing frequency. Identify your high-traffic areas and ask your snow removal company to prioritize them. Don’t forget to include your ramps and handicap parking spaces to ensure your building remains accessible to everyone.
Put Snow and Ice Removal Equipment in Place
Most snow removal companies bring and use their own equipment, but having a few shovels and some salt at your property can be helpful for those unexpectedly slippery mornings or surprise dustings of snow. Inspect last year’s equipment for wear or damage and replace it if necessary. Visit your local hardware store to purchase salt or sand and keep it in your building’s vestibule for ease of use. Or, ask your snow removal company to provide salt for you to use.
Protect Your Investment by Deicing Regularly
Deicing not only makes it safer and easier for your tenants and their guests to enter and leave your property, it also protects you against slip-and-fall risks. Slips on ice can lead to some hefty hospital bills. Regular and thorough deicing of your property through the colder months is a part of any property owner’s risk management plan.
Inspect Your Outdoor Lighting
Winter days are short, and you and your tenants will rely on your outdoor lighting to stay safe entering and leaving your building. Test the bulbs in your outdoor lights now to ensure they are in good working order, and consider upgrading to LED bulbs, which work great in the cold, last much longer than conventional bulbs, and save you money on your utility bill. If the exterior of your building is looking dim, add more outdoor lighting to improve visibility and reduce slip-and-fall risks.
Prep Your Roof, Gutters, and Storm Drains
Roof clearing should be part of your snow removal plan, especially if you have a flat roof. Clear gutters and storm drains now to ensure melting snow and ice have a place to go during thaws. During these preparations, decide on where you’d like your snow removal company to pile your snow and communicate that with them.
Communicate Your Snow Plan with Tenants
Once your winter snow removal plan is in place, let your tenants know what to expect for snow and ice removal. Encourage your tenants to report slippery spots or other snow-related hazards so you can deal with them quickly. Watch the weather forecast and warn tenants when bad weather is coming.
Winter is right around the corner. Now is the time to prepare your snow plan and hire your snow removal company. For professional commercial real estate management support, contact Clarity Commercial today.
For more information or to request a free estimate, visit their website at https://myclaritycommercial.com/ or give us a call at (952) 370-224-2699.
Affiliations & Credentials: We are proud members of IREM, CCIM and MNCAR along with various professional organizations and hold relevant certifications in the real estate management field. Our affiliations and credentials demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to stay up-to-date with industry best practices.
