Winter Facility Maintenance Guide
Why Winter Maintenance Matters in BC
Winter in British Columbia is unpredictable. Some regions face heavy snowfalls, others deal with freezing rain, slush, or rapid freeze–thaw cycles. For commercial property owners, these conditions create more than just inconvenience; they directly impact safety, building integrity, and operating costs.
Slips, trips, and falls send over 42,000 Canadian workers to hospital annually, with winter conditions (ice, snow, wet surfaces) among the leading causes. Statistics from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety show that about 67% of those falls are on the same level, resulting from slips and trips. (Sources: WorkSafeNB – Winter Safety: Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls.); CCOHS “Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls“)
Floors, HVAC systems, roofing, and entrances all come under pressure in cold weather. Road salt gets tracked inside, damaging flooring finishes. Heating systems run harder and need more frequent cleaning to keep energy costs in check. Ice dams build up on rooftops, leading to water leaks and even structural damage if ignored.
That’s why a proactive, seasonal maintenance program is critical. The businesses that prepare in advance don’t just save money on repairs; they also protect their employees, customers, and reputation.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the essentials of winter facility maintenance for BC properties, including salt damage prevention, HVAC cleaning, entrance matting systems, roof maintenance, and emergency protocols.
Ready to see how Evergreen can help? Explore our full range of Property Maintenance Services.
Salt Damage Prevention and Cleanup
Road salt is one of the biggest culprits of winter property damage. It keeps sidewalks and parking lots safe, but once it’s tracked indoors, it can wreak havoc on floors. Salt crystals scratch hard flooring, leave white stains on carpets, and even weaken concrete surfaces over time.
According to Cleaning & Maintenance Management’s “5 Winter Floor Care Tips”, without adequate entrance matting, 42% of a floor’s finish can be removed within the first six feet of an entrance after only 1,500 people, a costly combo of tracked-in salt, moisture, and grit.
How to prevent and clean up salt damage:
- Daily mopping with neutral cleaners designed to break down salt residue.
- Floor sealants and finishes to protect against scratches and staining.
- High-performance matting systems to stop up to 90% of dirt and salt at the door (more on this coming).
- Routine inspections of entrances and high-traffic areas to catch salt buildup before it spreads.
At Evergreen, our Floor Care Services are designed to extend the lifespan of your flooring, even through harsh BC winters. A preventative approach keeps replacement costs down and reduces slip hazards.
HVAC System Cleaning for Winter Efficiency
Heating systems work overtime in the colder months, which means filters clog faster, ducts accumulate dust, and efficiency can plummet if maintenance is ignored. For commercial buildings, this isn’t just a comfort issue; it’s a budget and health concern.
Regular HVAC maintenance, including replacing and cleaning filters, is essential for efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Natural Resources Canada notes that inspecting and replacing filters regularly helps heating and cooling systems run more efficiently, which lowers energy costs and reduces wear on equipment. (Source: Guide to maintaining your home heating and cooling system — Natural Resources Canada)
Indoor air quality is also at stake. Dust, allergens, and bacteria circulate more easily in closed winter environments, impacting staff and visitor health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that HVAC cleaning and high-efficiency filters reduce airborne contaminants and improve overall indoor air quality (EPA Indoor Air Quality).
Best practices for winter HVAC care include:
- Changing filters every 1–3 months, depending on building traffic.
- Scheduling duct inspections and cleanings before peak heating season.
- Checking humidity levels to reduce dry air issues.
- Monitoring vents and air returns for dust buildup.
Evergreen’s custodial teams coordinate with HVAC specialists to ensure your facility runs efficiently and safely all winter long. Cleaner systems mean lower costs, healthier air, and longer equipment life.
Entrance Mat Systems and Snow Tracking
One of the smartest winter facility investments you can make is a high-performance entrance mat system. Without it, snow, salt, sand, and moisture get tracked straight into your building, leading to damaged floors, slip hazards, and higher cleaning costs.
Studies indicate that 70-80% of dirt and debris entering a building comes in via foot-traffic through main entrances. A well-designed entrance matting system covering 15-18 feet of doorway can prevent up to 90% of that soil from ever reaching your floors, saving on cleaning, protecting finishes, and reducing slip hazards (Source: “Matting: Leaving Dirt At The Door” – CleanLink).
The gold standard is a 3-zone matting system:
- Exterior scraper mats – capture snow, ice, and grit before people enter.
- Vestibule mats – absorb moisture and reduce tracking.
- Interior mats – finish the job by catching fine particles and remaining salt.
By combining these zones, facilities can extend flooring lifespan, reduce cleaning hours, and keep entryways safer. Evergreen’s Floor Care Services include integrating matting strategies with daily maintenance to maximize value.
Ice Dam Prevention and Roof Maintenance
BC’s fluctuating winter temperatures create the perfect conditions for ice dams. These form when snow melts on a warm roof surface and refreezes at the eaves, creating a barrier that traps water. The result? Leaks, interior water damage, and even structural issues if left unchecked.
Poor insulation and inadequate attic ventilation are major contributors to ice dam formation. According to Natural Resources Canada, improving attic insulation, sealing heat leaks, and ensuring proper roof ventilation significantly reduce ice dam risks.
Best practices for ice dam prevention include:
- Ensuring attics are properly insulated and ventilated.
- Cleaning gutters and downspouts before snowfall.
- Using roof rakes or professional snow removal to prevent buildup.
- Scheduling seasonal roof inspections to identify problem areas early.
Evergreen’s Property Maintenance Services help businesses prevent these costly issues with regular roof checks and coordinated winter upkeep.
“Ice dams are one of the most damaging winter problems for commercial properties. Proactive maintenance is far less expensive than repairing leaks and structural damage later.” — Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA)
Winter Emergency Cleaning Protocols
Even with the best prevention, winter throws curveballs. Burst pipes, flooding, heavy snow at entrances, and unexpected roof leaks can all disrupt operations. The difference between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster often comes down to how quickly you respond.
The Canadian Red Cross recommends every business have a winter emergency plan that includes snow removal, water cleanup, and staff safety protocols (Canadian Red Cross – Winter Storm Safety). When facilities lack a response strategy, the result is lost productivity, unsafe conditions, and costly repairs.
At Evergreen, our teams are trained in rapid-response cleaning and maintenance. Whether it’s snow and ice piled up at building entrances, a burst pipe flooding hallways, or icy conditions causing hazards in parking lots, we respond quickly to restore safety and protect property.
Key emergency cleaning measures include:
- Rapid snow and ice clearing from high-traffic areas.
- Immediate water extraction and drying to prevent mould and damage.
- Emergency floor cleaning and salt neutralization to restore safe conditions.
- Coordination with contractors for larger repairs when needed.
Having a partner like Evergreen means you’re never left scrambling in the middle of a storm.
Protect Your Property All Winter Long
Winter in BC is tough on commercial properties, but with a proactive maintenance plan, it doesn’t have to be. Salt damage, HVAC strain, slippery entrances, roof ice dams, and sudden emergencies are all manageable when you prepare in advance.
The right combination of prevention and rapid response keeps your facility safe, efficient, and welcoming throughout the cold months. More importantly, it protects your staff, customers, and your reputation.
At Evergreen, we’ve built winter maintenance programs designed to save clients money on repairs, reduce safety risks, and extend the life of their properties. From floor care and HVAC cleaning to emergency protocols and roof inspections, we’ve got you covered.
Get Evergreen’s winter facility maintenance program to protect your property all season long.
