Preparing Your Signage For Winter: What You Should Know

Harsh winter weather can be hard on your signs. From ice and snow to pests and other problems, outdoor conditions can take a toll on outdoor signs. Protecting and preparing your signage for winter can help prevent damage and save your business money. Knowing what to watch for and how to get your signs ready for winter is important.

Types of Winter Damage to Outdoor Signage

Below are some examples of the types of damage that your sign might experience outside this winter.

• Structural weakening: Repeated freezing and thawing widens already existing cracks in signage and contributes to the weakening of your sign’s structural integrity. Heavy snow and ice can add weight, leading to potential bending or breakage. Certain materials like thin plastics may crack when exposed to cold temperatures.
• Visibility compromised: Snow and ice may obstruct the visibility of your sign.
• Detachment: Strong winds can misalign, crack, or detach signs as winter continues.
• Corrosion: Pooling water from melting snow and ice can corrode metal parts and compromise sign stability.
• Fading: Snow can reflect UV rays, causing gradual fading or material degradation.
• Electric failure: Cold temperatures and moisture can short-circuit LED components and cause outages.
• Pest invasion: Animals may nest in or around signs, posing additional risks to integrity and safety.

Preventive Measures for Winter Protection

There are many things your business can do to prevent damage to your outdoor signs this winter. Start with an inspection of your signs to look for pre-existing structural weaknesses. Identify cracks and bends that need repair.

Order repairs and replacement of damaged parts. Take time to reinforce sign mountings and structures to bear winter stress. Use wind-resistant materials. If your sign has faded in previous winters, apply a UV-protective coating to protect materials from UV-related fading and degradation.

Identify any holes in your signs and install screens to keep animals from nesting within sign structures.

Check drainage around your sign to ensure that water will not pool in your sign’s electrical components. If needed, upgrade to weather-resistant wiring and use GFCI outlets for outdoor installations. While newer signs may already have these features, older signs may not.

Maintenance Recommendations for Winter Durability

When winter comes, be ready. Check bulbs and electrical functioning frequently to maintain visibility and safety on your property.

Vehicles that slide on ice and impact your sign can cause damage. Use bollards, curbs, or barriers around signs to protect against accidental impacts from vehicles or snowplows.

As winter continues, remove salt or chemical residues from signage to prevent corrosion. If corrosion has been a problem on your sign in the past, add anti-corrosion coatings this fall before salt is used on your roads or parking lots.

When snow falls, gently clear snow with soft tools to prevent buildup and avoid scratches. Consider hiring specialized maintenance teams for inspections, repairs, and seasonal preparations.

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Old signs don’t always hold up well in extreme temperatures and conditions. Make your winter easy with a new sign from ABC Signs in Cincinnati. Contact us today to learn more.