As experts in the restoration industry, we are on the frontlines, helping our community recover when severe winter storms cause damage to homes and businesses. While the occasional sprinkle of snow is generally harmless to a property, heavier snowfall, ice and freezing temperatures can cause millions in property damage. It’s our responsibility to help clients – whether home or business owners – recover quickly from the chaos a snow or ice storm can have. 

Here are my key strategies for helping clients prepare for the winter weather to minimize property damage and build a trusting relationship that ensures they will call you first when disaster strikes. 

Photo credit: Rainbow Restoration

Overlooked Causes of Winter Weather Damage

Unlike other weather disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes, winter storms bring a unique set of challenges a client may overlook. It’s our job as experts in the restoration industry to help educate our clients about these risks, not only to help them prepare their property, but also position ourselves as their go-to resource when the unexpected happens. These risks include: 

• Frozen and Burst Pipes: When water freezes, it expands, causing pipes to crack or burst. Just overnight, a client’s basement pipes can freeze and burst if temperatures drop below 20°F, leading to significant and costly water damage.
• Ice Dams and Roof Damage: Inadequate roof insulation can cause ice dams and force water under shingles and into the building’s structure. As a result, a poorly insulated building can see extensive interior damage from inadequate roof insulation.
• Flooding from Snow: Inches of heavy snow that melts can overwhelm poorly designed drainage systems, leading to flooding. Businesses might find their inventory ruined due to pooled water that seeped in through cracked windows or doors. 
• Extended Power Outages: Ice storms can knock out power lines, leaving businesses and homes without heat or refrigeration, leading to spoiled or damaged goods. 

Photo credit: Rainbow Restoration

Helping Clients Prepare for Winter Weather

Now that winter weather is upon us, it’s the ideal time to work with your clients to identify vulnerabilities in their home or business. Offer them pre-storm assessments to check for red-flag issues like poor insulation, old pipe systems, drafts in windows, etc. Help educate them on why taking proactive measures can save them in the long run from experiencing costly damage. 

Discussing an emergency response plan is vital for ensuring the safety of a home’s residents or a business’s employees. Walk them through how to create a plan tailored to their specific needs. Guide them on how to respond when winter weather challenges strike, like downed power lines. Use real life examples to emphasize the importance of preparation – like a small business that prevented a roof collapse by removing excess snow early, or a homeowner who avoided basement flooding by insulating pipes. 

Don’t Forget to Prepare YOUR Business

When preparing for winter weather emergencies, it’s not just about getting your clients ready – it’s also crucial to ensure your restoration business is equipped to handle winter emergencies quickly and efficiently. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Make Sure Equipment is Winter-Ready: Ensure the team has access to specialized tools like freeze-drying systems and moisture detection devices that are key for handling cold-weather restoration work effectively.
2. Build a 24/7 Response Team: Winter storms don’t wait for business hours, so your team should be prepared to respond to emergencies at any time. Have an on-call system to ensure clients can reach you when they need help most.
3. Develop a Client Communication Plan: Proactively communicate with clients before, during and after a storm. Things like email reminders or posting tips on social media can keep your services top of mind when they need assistance.

Photo credit: Rainbow Restoration

Consider an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Our approach to winter storms can serve as a model for your business. We’ve implemented a proven Emergency Preparedness Plan that focuses on the following: 

• Effective Planning: For commercial properties, we offer emergency response plan development. Curated technology-based solutions are used to understand the layout of a business and propose an efficient plan in the event of severe weather. 
• 24/7 Rapid Response Services: From burst pipes to flooded basements, our team is available around the clock to mitigate damage.
• Comprehensive Restoration Solutions: We handle every step of the recovery process… whether it’s for water extraction or mold remediation. 

Photo credit: Rainbow Restoration

Final Thoughts

Winter storms will always present challenges, but they’re also an opportunity to showcase the value of your restoration business. By educating your clients, offering preventative solutions and preparing your team, you can help reduce the costly damage caused by winter weather. It’s your expertise can make all the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a costly weather disaster for your clients. With the right preparation and support, you can help your clients weather any storm and come out stronger on the other side!