Fall is the best time to inspect your HVAC, plumbing, and building infrastructure before winter weather puts strain on your facility. While Sacramento winters may be mild compared to other regions, cold temperatures, heavy rain, and occasional freezing conditions can still create costly problems for commercial buildings.

Here are nine preventative maintenance tips to help commercial property managers and building owners reduce the risk of unexpected repairs, improve energy efficiency, and avoid costly winter emergencies.

Inspect Heating Equipment and Ductwork

Before heating season begins (typically in late October or early November), get a thorough inspection of your HVAC equipment for worn components, heat exchangers, dirty filters, and any inefficiencies.

A professional commercial HVAC inspection by Cooper Oates can identify potential costly problems before your heating equipment is operating at full capacity.

Calibrate Your Building Controls

Temperature settings and operating schedules that are even slightly “off” can waste energy and create comfort complaints. Verify that thermostats, sensors, and building automation controls are properly calibrated and that heating schedules reflect actual building occupancy.

For facilities with Direct Digital Controls (DDC), review seasonal programming to ensure heating and cooling equipment aren’t operating against each other. In addition to your HVAC controls, you should also make sure your sprinkler system is not set to water when it’s raining.

Clear Gutters and Downspouts

Sacramento’s rainy season can expose drainage problems that remain invisible during summer months. Now is the time to clear leaves and debris from gutters, roof drains, and downspouts to prevent water from pooling or entering the building. You may need to schedule your landscaping services to come blow your leaves more frequently during the time of year to prevent too much buildup.

Make sure drainage systems are properly directed away from the building’s foundation. In areas prone to debris buildup, consider installing gutter guards as well. Remove any debris piled against any of your buildings.

Inspect Your Roof

A small roofing issue can quickly become quite expensive during heavy rain. Before winter weather arrives, have your roof inspected for cracked or missing shingles, damaged membrane roofing, deteriorated flashing, air bubbles and soft spots that may indicate trapped moisture.

Pay particular attention to areas around rooftop HVAC equipment and roof penetrations, where damaged seals or flashing can allow water intrusion. Ensure all HVAC panels are in place and secured.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Although freezing temperatures aren’t extremely common in Sacramento, exposed plumbing can still be vulnerable during colder winter nights. The few nights under 30F have created several water leaks from uninsulated piping. This includes the backflow preventers that we sometimes forget can be cracked by the cold weather, leading to major leaks.

It’s recommended to inspect pipes in unheated mechanical spaces, exterior walls, and other exposed areas. Make sure to repair missing or damaged insulation, and consider freeze protection for piping in colder locations.

Check for Plumbing Leaks

Especially in older buildings, plumbing systems should be inspected for signs of corrosion, leaking valves, and deteriorating pipe connections to avoid water damage and high utility costs. Make sure to check mechanical rooms, water heaters, and exposed piping for moisture or unusual water consumption.

Cooper Oates’ commercial plumbing team can perform inspections and repairs to help identify problems before they become emergencies.

Inspect Weatherstripping and Building Insulation

Damaged weatherstripping, poorly sealed doors, and missing insulation can allow heat to escape your building, which increases the load on your HVAC system. Check exterior doors, windows, roof insulation, and other areas where air leakage may occur. Correcting these issues before winter can improve temperature control, reduce heating costs, and help maintain tenant comfort throughout the colder months.

Prepare for Power Outages

Before an emergency strikes, make sure to identify shut-off water valve locations, check backup power to ensure it will work when needed, and double-check exit and emergency/backup lights to ensure tenants can safely evacuate in case of a power outage.

Don’t Delay Preventative Maintenance

Waiting until the first cold streak to service your heating equipment can leave you with performance issues when your building needs heat the most. Scheduling commercial HVAC and plumbing maintenance in the fall allows time to identify potential equipment failures before they disrupt your operations (and your peace of mind!).

Ready to Winterize Your Commercial Building?

Winterizing your commercial building doesn’t always require major improvements. Many potential problems can be avoided with routine inspections, properly maintained equipment, and a few adjustments to building operations.

Since 1972, Cooper Oates has helped commercial property owners and facility managers throughout Sacramento and Northern California maintain their HVAC and plumbing systems. From preventative maintenance and repairs to equipment upgrades and emergency service, our team can help keep your building operating efficiently year-round.

Call Cooper Oates to Stay Ahead of Winter HVAC & Plumbing Maintenance

Have questions about preparing your commercial HVAC or plumbing systems for winter? Contact Cooper Oates or call 916-381-4611 to speak with our team about your building’s maintenance needs.