Your Pre-Winter Sign Maintenance Checklist

Every year, we talk with our clients about the importance of sign maintenance before winter starts. The months of October, November, and December are peak holiday shopping months and you've already paid for an illuminated sign, now it’s time to make sure all its lights are in flawless condition.

Winter brings longer nights and harsher outdoor conditions, so business owners and facility managers should schedule these repairs well before the first snow arrives.

Read on to learn more about the importance of business signs in winter, and why scheduled sign maintenance is an important part of winter preparation for sales and safety.

The Impact of Winter Weather on Signs

Winter is the most extreme season for outdoor signs, bringing harsh weather, changing temperatures, and long nights. This set of factors means that signs undergo the most stress during these months.

Harsh Weather Conditions

Winter weather can be devastating to business signs because it brings low temperatures, dry air, and strong winds. In addition, snow introduces moisture that stays on surfaces for extended periods, and can promote mold growth. When cities use salt to melt snow, the salty water reacts with metal to create rust, which can go from ugly to catastrophic if left untreated long enough.

Temperature Fluctuations

Snow adds extra stress to mounting and support structures, but the most strain and damage comes when the temperature fluctuates between freezing and not. Liquid water settles in tiny holes and cracks, then expands them as it turns to ice. Continuous freeze/thaw cycles can cause material fatigue, cracking, or warping of critical infrastructure.

Reduced Visibility

As winter sets in, nights get longer and commercial lighting for signs becomes increasingly important. Any dim spots or burned out bulbs become much more obvious, and reflect poorly on your brand image. Brighter lights are needed to attract people from further away. 

Benefits of Pre-Winter Sign Maintenance

Preventive Care – Routine maintenance can identify and address minor issues before they escalate during winter.

Improved Longevity – Regular upkeep extends the lifespan of signs, saving money in the long run.

Enhanced Safety – Ensuring that signs stay mounted and secured prevents falling parts from harming people or property.

Improved Brand Equity – Keeping business signs in like-new condition presents the brand as top quality and improves people’s overall impression of the brand.

Sign maintenance in general offers a variety of benefits, and service calls made before the first cold snap or snowfall maximize those benefits for a time when their signs need to perform at their best.

Check the Lighting at Night

In the summer, dusk comes at 8 PM and most people are finished with their day. By contrast, it's dark out at 5 PM in the winter, and people are still on the road driving home, doing chores, or finishing their shopping. This is when people make impulsive decisions, and an attractive, flawless sign will make some shoppers choose your business over the competition.

Sign owners should examine their signs at dusk and at night to get the full experience of potential customers. How visible is the sign? How far away can it be seen? How does it compare to the other business signs around? What could be done to get more people to look at your sign and go there?

Read More: Commercial LED Lighting Upgrades: Why LEDs Dominate

Key Sign Maintenance Tasks to Perform Before Winter

Signs are complex structures, so a comprehensive checklist involves a wide variety of tasks. Here are a few general considerations for a maintenance call:

Inspect and Repair Structural Components

• Tighten or replace any loose bolts or brackets.
• Look for rust, cracks, or warping in the mounting hardware.

Clean and Protect Surfaces

• Remove dirt, debris, bugs, and bird nests.
• Apply a new coat of paint if necessary.
• Add coating to protect the sign from water, salt, and UV damage.

Check and Replace Lighting Components

• Ensure all lights are functioning and replace any burned-out or dim bulbs.
• Commercial signs should have efficient, bright, and operational commercial lighting.

Test Electrical Connections

• Conduct a thorough inspection of all electrical components
• Replace any faulty wiring or transformers.

Scheduling Professional Sign Maintenance

Business owners and facility managers should seek out professional sign maintenance from experienced technicians. Their knowledge and expertise is crucial for ensuring safety and quality. Late October and early November are the ideal times to schedule this maintenance, as it becomes harder to service signs once the winter weather truly sets in.

Getting started can be as simple as contacting the team at Flexlume for a consultation. As a vertically integrated sign manufacturer, we offer sign maintenance and repair services across the nation.