Boise winters are beautiful, but they can be brutal on commercial buildings. After a historically dry start to the season, winter has hit the Treasure Valley. Cold weather inversions brings a unique set of challenges for facility managers. From the risk of freezing pipes to the inevitable slush tracked in from the parking lot, there can be a lot to prepare for.
As we head deeper into the cold months, “business as usual” cleaning won’t cut it. To protect your assets and keep employee morale high during the darker days, your facility needs a winter strategy. Here is your checklist for preparing your Boise commercial facility for winter—and how Business Cleaning Solutions (BCS) can help you execute parts of it.
1. Exterior Water Management (Spigots & Irrigation)
This is the most common source of preventable winter damage.
- Disconnect Hoses: Walk the entire perimeter and ensure all garden hoses are disconnected. A hose left attached can trap water inside the spigot, causing it to freeze and burst the pipe inside the wall.
- Bleed the Lines: If your building does not have “frost-free” bibs, you must shut off the interior isolation valve leading to the outside spigot and then open the outside spigot to drain the remaining water.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Any fire suppression pipes or backflow preventers that are exposed to the elements should be wrapped in heat tape or foam insulation.
2. Protect Your Floors from the “Salt Attack”
The biggest enemy of commercial flooring in Idaho isn’t the snow—it’s the salt and ice melt used to treat it. Magnesium chloride and rock salt are highly abrasive. When tracked inside, they act like sandpaper on your hard floors and leave white, crusty residues that can permanently damage carpet fibers.
- The Fix: Implement a “defense in depth” strategy. Ensure you have high-quality walk-off mats at every entrance (at least 10–15 feet of matting is recommended to capture debris).
- How BCS Helps: Winter is actually a critical time for floor maintenance. We can schedule more frequent auto-scrubbing to remove salt residue before it eats into your wax finish. If your VCT tile is looking dull, a scrub-and-recoat now can add a protective layer to survive the season.
3. Attack the Germs Before They Spread
With doors and windows sealed tight against the cold, your office becomes a closed loop for air circulation. This is prime time for flu season and cold viruses to sweep through a team.
- The Fix: Move beyond standard cleaning to “touchpoint disinfection.” Focus on doorknobs, light switches, breakroom handles, and shared equipment.
- How BCS Helps: We specialize in Disinfection Services that go deeper than a feather duster. We use EPA-registered disinfectants and focus on high-touch areas to break the chain of infection, keeping your team healthy and at their desks.
4. Exterior Fixtures (Awnings & Signage)
- Awning Care:
- Retractables: If you have retractable awnings, close them for the season. If they must stay open, ensure they have a steep enough pitch so snow slides off rather than pooling.
- Fixed Canvas: Check for any small tears now. The weight of snow and ice will turn a small rip into a ruined awning by spring.
- Signage Inspection: Winter brings shorter days, meaning your lighted signs are on longer. Check for flickering bulbs or ballasts now. A partially lit sign looks unprofessional and can actually be a safety hazard if it darkens a parking lot corner.
5. HVAC & Roof (The “Invisible” Risks)
- Economizer Settings: Have your HVAC technician check the “economizer” dampers. These bring in fresh outside air. If they get stuck open during a Boise inversion, you could freeze your coils; if stuck closed, your building will feel stuffy and stale.
- Roof Drains: Clear all debris from roof drains and scuppers before the first freeze. If water pools on a flat roof and freezes, the expansion can tear the roofing membrane, leading to leaks when the ice eventually melts.
- Ceiling Tiles: Keep a few spare ceiling tiles on hand. If a leak does occur, being able to swap out a stained tile immediately keeps the building looking professional while you wait for a repair.
6. Empty Space Protocol
If you have vacant suites: Do not turn the heat completely off. Set the thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C) to prevent pipes in the walls from freezing. Open the cabinet doors under sinks in vacant units to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
7. Take the 30-Day Challenge
Winter is the hardest time to keep a building clean, which makes it the best time to test your janitorial service. If your current provider is leaving salt in the corners or ignoring the entryway glass, it’s time for a change.
At Business Cleaning Solutions, we offer a 30-Day Cleaning Challenge. We guarantee that in 30 days or less, you will have a consistently cleaner business and receive fewer cleaning complaints.
Ready to winter-proof your workspace? From Nampa to Boise and everywhere in between, we are ready to help your business shine, even when the sun doesn’t.
👉 Contact us today for a free consultation or call us at (208) 908-7309.