Apartment and Condo Building Preparation & Maintenance for Winter Weather

Through Canadian seasons, particularly winter, apartment and condominium building maintenance to prepare for the elements is essential. Building owners and property managers need to consider below-freezing temperatures as well as elements like snow and freezing rain and prepare adequately to avoid costly damages and disruptions. As outdoor building experts, please see below for a guide on how to prepare for each winter season.

Step One: Building Envelope Inspection

The winter preparation process begins with a comprehensive building inspection. A qualified team will complete a full assessment of your apartment or condo building and provide you with a professional report to outline issues and potential risks observed and estimations of what they may lead to if unresolved. Once you have a full list of areas where you might encounter problems, you can prioritize areas to repair to mitigate seasonal damages.

Step Two: Preparing & Repairing Buildings for Winter

With regular wear and tear, it's a good idea to perform regular winter apartment or condo maintenance, especially before the winter season begins. Regular winter maintenance can include:

• Sealing & Caulking: Fix any draft areas on windows with caulking or weatherstripping to avoid potential leaks and to maintain indoor temperatures and reduce heating costs.

• Gutter Maintenance: Clear gutters and downspouts of debris to ensure proper drainage and prevent ice damming and water damage.

• Roof Maintenance: Whether your roof is sloped or flat, it should also be reviewed for damaged areas and fixed to avoid leakage.

• Masonry & Brick Repair: Parge or tuckpoint any spalling brick areas to avoid potential leaks and drafts but also to ensure the masonry can withstand the elements and not become a hazard to building occupants and the general public.

For areas that are difficult to reach on high-rise buildings, a trustworthy and certified working at heights maintenance and repair crew is essential. Precision Building Solutions is fully certified to work at heights with our IRATA & SPRAT certifications and our team is fully rope access trained. We are also a proud member of the Canadian Condominium Institute, Golden Horseshoe Chapter.

Step Three: Ongoing Winter Apartment & Condo Maintenance and Repair

Throughout the winter, it's important to pay attention to any visible or observed changes to your building and repair them promptly. If you are a building owner or property management company, your tenants will likely make you aware of any visible changes to their rental unit and the building as a whole but it's important to complete regular inspections and reviews yourself as well.

Our Service Areas

Precision Building Solutions is proud to service the Niagara/St. Catharines and surrounding areas (Welland, Thorold, Pelham, Lincoln) as well as the Greater Hamilton Area, Burlington, and Oakville. We specialize in commercial and high-rise building repairs including apartments, condos, and office buildings.

How to Reach Us

If you have questions about high-rise property maintenance or a specific issue you need help with, we'd love to help. Simply fill out our contact form or call us at 613-770-7673 and Nelson will be in touch right away.

Weather Alert: Freezing Rain April 2, 2025

Please note, in the Niagara & surrounding Regions this week, a freezing rain warning is in full effect. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for Niagara Falls, Welland, Dunnville, St. Catharines, and Port Colbourne.