Fall is coming upon us as the leaves are beginning to color and the temperatures are starting to drop. With that in mind, winter will be here before you know it. This is a good time for your property to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming winter season. The fall and winter seasons are generally viewed as a slower time of the year for many in the industry, so this can also be a great time to get caught up on some projects that you were too distracted to focus on during the busy season. This blog will explain some of the ways you can prepare for winter including checking in on your HVAC system, cleaning the chimney and gutters, working on the lawn, and taking inventory of hospitality supplies like linens and amenities.
1) Check Your Heating and Air Conditioning System
Heat will be a necessity for most places in winter, so all heating units should be inspected during the fall to make sure it is running smoothly. This can include making sure the filters are changed, and the furnace and thermostats are properly working. It may also be a good time to check the water heater for any minor issues such as leaks or moisture to help avoid any problems.
It is also wise to look over your air conditioner after a season of use. Some may prefer covering the unit if it is outside to keep it safe from the winter snowfall and cold temperatures, but that is a decision to be made by each property. Along with outdoor units being covered, window air conditioning units should be removed by the first frost of the year to keep them protected from the cold weather. The air conditioner mustn’t turn on during the winter because temperatures under sixty degrees could damage it.
2) Clean Your Gutters and Chimney
It’s beneficial to clean your gutters before the winter season arrives. Clogged gutters will push trapped
water into the roofing structure. Gutters that are clear of debris will reduce the potential for a cracked foundation. Rodents and insects tend to like clogged gutters. Clean gutters would also protect garden beds by preventing water from flowing down from the roof onto the plants and causing damage.
Chimneys are another area that you should periodically keep an eye on. Defects in the chimney can cause cold air to seep into the building and make your heating system work harder to keep the building warm, which ends up costing the business money. Some key areas to focus on are removing any obstructions and making sure your damper effectively opens and closes. If you notice other problems that you can’t solve yourself, hire a professional chimney sweep to give it an overview and look for any additional problems.
3) Lawn Maintenance
The fall is a great time to perform lawn maintenance and inspections. Common lawn inspections analyze
soil like thinning grass, pooling water, and visible soil crust. They also look for signs of pests like chewed leaves from caterpillars or grubs and holes from voles and moles. The most important maintenance aspect could be remembering to turn off the sprinkler system. Properties that forget about this could end up with a very messy and expensive lawn problem once spring arrives. Most lines will need to be blown out to make sure there will be no remaining moisture. This involves blowing in air at high pressure through the pipes to remove all the water from the sprinkler so that it doesn’t freeze during the winter. Along with the sprinkler, the outside faucets should also be drained. Some other good lawn projects for the fall are growing grass, aerating the lawn, fertilizing, removing dead trees, and raking leaves.
4) Hospitality Product Winter Upkeep
With the changing of the seasons, you will want to review your current inventory levels for common hospitality products like sheets and towels. Sheets and towels are prone to stains and tears from heavy use and will need to be inspected. InnStyle recommends three sets of sheets and towels per room which would have one set being used, one for the laundering process, and one in the closet as a backup option. InnStyle offers monthly promotions on many of its popular products. Create an account to see wholesale prices and sign up for the newsletter for updates on discounted items. Stock up and save.
InnStyle is Here for All Your Hospitality Needs
InnStyle’s goal is to help make managing a property easier by being a one-stop shop for all of their hospitality product needs. Now is a good time to review your hospitality product inventory and see what you will need more of for the next busy season. However, each season is unique, and InnStyle has written a blog with recommendations on how to prepare for spring. Please call InnStyle and speak with one of their account managers about any hospitality product questions you may have. InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020. Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.