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Protecting your church in time for winter

September 27, 2024 / By Autumn Wells, Administrative and Accounting Services Specialist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

It’s only the start of the fall season, but winter will be here before you know it. There are several things you should take into consideration when it comes to protecting your church and church property for winter weather.  

Want to know when there’s going to be extreme freezing weather or emergency info alerts in your area? Sign up to receive free text alerts here from Brotherhood Mutual, the conference’s insurance carrier. Once enrolled, you’ll be notified if a catastrophic event is forecasted that could impact your ministry area. These texts aim to help you prepare for the type of hazardous weather event expected along with helpful links you can take right away to prevent or minimize certain types of damage to your church buildings and property. You may also receive information about what to do if your ministry does sustain damage. Anyone can sign up. All you’ll need is the last six digits of your policy number.   

Living in Upstate New York, freezing weather and winter storms are imminent. When freezing weather is in the forecast, Brotherhood Mutual urges policyholders to take immediate action to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.   

When freezing weather is in the forecast, Brotherhood Mutual says it’s time to do the following: 

1. Turn up the heat to above 55 degrees. Check the thermostat in all areas of your building to ensure the heat is on (especially in unused areas) and to double check the setting is at least 55 degrees. 
2. Prop open room and cabinet doors beneath sinks. Do this to keep heat circulating throughout the building. 
3. Let faucets drip. This keeps water moving inside pipes. 
4. Locate water supply valves. If a pipe bursts, time is critical. Know where valves are located for all buildings. Keep the tools to close the valves nearby. Be sure to include areas with baptisteries, laundry rooms, and water heaters in your search. 
5. Get to know your sprinkler system. Monitor your systems using a central station that provides early detection of a pipe failure. Make sure to maintain the temperature in the control rooms. 
6. Prep generator. The goal is to maintain heat in the building when a big freeze takes down power lines. 
7. Add emergency numbers to contacts. Create a list of numbers that includes your insurance agent, plumber, water restoration company, heating contractor, electrician, and utility companies. 

If wind or heavy ice also is predicted – here are more actions you can take to prevent or minimize damage: 

• Move vehicles off the lot and away from trees. A concrete parking garage is best, if possible. If not, allow staff to take home vehicles to spread your risk of damage. 
• Prevent damage from high winds. Before a storm, verify that sign connections are adequate or remove the sign and safely store it. Store outdoor equipment in a safe location. Identify and remove trees and branches that could fall on the building walls or roof, or on power lines. 

If heavy snow also is predicted: 

• Clear gutters of debris to allow melting snow to drain. Obstructions cause “ice dams” that block drainage and damage your roof. Check drains on flat roofs and remove leaves and other material. 
• Clear the snow and ice. Keep an eye on the roof when snow piles up. If an excessive amount falls, or the snow is blocked from sliding down the roof, it may be time to act. Either use a long-handled roof rake or call a licensed contractor to remove it safely. Don’t climb onto the roof to remove snow. Climbing onto an already stressed and slick roof can be dangerous. 

Freezing weather also creates dangerous sidewalks and lots: 

• Designate staff and/or volunteers in advance to clear sidewalks and parking lots of snow. Put snow shovels, salt, and entryway mats in easy-to-access locations. 

Watch out for leaky pipes. A small drip can turn into gallons of water that could damage walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and more. Brotherhood Mutual says plumbing leaks are almost entirely preventable and recommends installing an automatic water shut off device like FloLogic. The intelligent leak detection system is installed on the main water supply line and it constantly monitors water flow. Whenever the device detects flow that exceeds a preset duration based on if the building is occupied or not, it automatically shuts off the water. Learn more about the device here.  

TAGGED / Communications / Finance / Districts