Winter weather has a sneaky way of exposing weak points on a property. An aging roof could cave in from snow and ice accumulation or a small crack can leave a building vulnerable to cold air that leads to a frozen pipe. What begins as a simple maintenance task in the warmer months can turn into a six-figure insurance claim when the winter season comes around. 

For LBM businesses, a burst pipe or a caved-in roof could put workers’ safety at risk, destroy inventory and equipment, and result in months of business interruption. The best time to address and prevent potential catastrophic losses related to winter weather is well before the first freeze. A proactive approach to maintenance, snow and ice removal, and winter planning across an LBM business can help address potential weak points before they are exacerbated by the colder months. 

Priorities for Before the Storm 

Winter season preparation should address an LBM business’s entire operation, including the facility’s pipes, fire protection systems, inventory, and emergency response. Autumn is an ideal time to inspect properties, evaluate systems, and ensure an LBM business is fully prepared to weather the elements. Consider the following pre-season priorities: 

• Property Inspections: LBM leaders should take the time to inspect a property in full, paying close attention to areas that could be particularly vulnerable in extreme cold. Pipes that are up against exterior walls, crawl spaces, and unheated rooms can all be susceptible to freezing in low temperatures. Any holes or cracks in walls, windows, and roofs should all be sealed to protect interior spaces from the cold. A full roof inspection should be completed to address damages, potential drainage issues, and areas where snow and ice could accumulate unevenly, placing additional stress on the building. 

• Yard Preparation: Any outdoor inventory or equipment should be brought indoors when space allows. If items must remain outdoors, they should be properly secured, stacks should be kept low, and loose stacks should be bundled to reduce exposure to high wind. Entrances, walkways, hydrants, and other areas should be cleared to ensure accessibility once snow begins to accumulate. 

• Response Protocol: Prior to the first storm, LBM businesses should establish who is responsible for monitoring conditions, maintaining and clearing roofs and other outdoor areas, and managing incident response. Snow-removal contractors and other services should be identified before the winter season, and business owners should establish a communication system to ensure employees and customers are promptly notified if conditions impact operations. LBM leaders should also identify and make note of any skylights, vents, and other hazards on the roof to ensure employees who are responsible for clearing them of snow accumulation can avoid stepping on them. 

Quick Fix, More Problems 

In a busy LBM business, it can be tempting to opt for a “quick fix” or creative ingenuity over addressing the entirety of an issue. However, the quick savings in time or money can cost an LBM business significantly in damages and business interruption later on. 

At PLM, we have seen LBM businesses utilize electric space heaters to keep pipes warm. When heaters are left running overnight, often 24/7, they can overload electrical systems and trip breakers. If an employee resets the breaker without unplugging the heaters, a fire can ignite. No heaters, electrical, kerosene powered, or otherwise, should be used to heat pipes. LBM leaders should instead focus on what is causing the pipes to freeze. Pipes in vulnerable areas should be properly insulated, and all cracks and openings should be sealed. During extreme temperatures, it is a good idea to allow cold and hot water to trickle overnight and ensure the building is adequately heated. 

Similarly, LBM businesses need to be thorough about how they remove snow from rooftops to ensure they do not create other problems in the building. Removing snow accumulated on a roof reduces weight and should help prevent cave-ins, but failing to do so adequately simply causes a different issue. Clearing one section of a roof while leaving snow on a different section creates an imbalance, placing additional stress on the structural integrity of a building. Snow should be evenly cleared from rooftops, using the proper tools and technique to avoid damaging roof materials. 

While LBM businesses cannot predict just how severe the winter season will be, they can control how they prepare for it. Leaders should ensure their teams are taking full advantage of the fall season to inspect LBM properties, prepare yards, and establish emergency response procedures before the cold weather sets in to prevent losses and maintain smooth operations throughout the winter.  

Dan Braiman serves as loss control director at Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company (PLM). He can be reached at dbraiman@plmins.com. 

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