Prepping your school building for a winter vacancy

Winter break is a welcome pause for students and staff—but your school building doesn’t get to take a vacation. Whether your facility will be fully empty or only lightly used, winter weather still puts it to the test. Snow, freezing temps, and power hiccups can quickly turn into burst pipes, roof damage, or other costly surprises if you’re not prepared.

Even schools in warmer states aren’t off the hook. Much of the U.S. still falls into cold-weather risk zones, meaning a solid winter building maintenance plan is a must—especially when the building is vacant.

Give your vacant building some TLC

Add these practices to your vacant building maintenance routine. If a small crew is still onsite, simply adjust the steps to fit your situation.

Stop leaks before they start

Think of this as a quick checkup for your school’s exterior.

• Walk the roof and building perimeter for any signs of leaks or damage; and check out our guide to pre-winter roof inspections
• Look for loose or missing shingles, tears, or gaps
• Check around skylights, windows, doors, and rooftop equipment for leaks
• Clear gutters and make sure they drain correctly—debris buildup = water buildup
• Confirm downspouts push water away from the foundation

Keep the heat on (just a little)

A low thermostat now can prevent big headaches later.

• Maintain at least 55°F inside the building
• Insulate pipes against exterior walls to help prevent freezing and ruptures

Double-check fire protection systems

Even an empty building needs full protection.

• Visually inspect sprinkler risers regularly
• Make sure sprinkler control valves are chained and locked open
• Watch for water-pressure drops and contact your water department or fire protection company if something looks off
• Test and maintain sprinkler systems following NFPA 25 standards
• Keep fire alarms active and monitored by a central station

Manage your plumbing wisely

A little prep goes a long way.

• If the building won't be used, shut off domestic water lines and drain them—leave fire protection lines active
• If water must stay on, check regularly for leaks and shut off lines to unused fixtures such as sinks and toilets in unoccupied areas
• Consider installing a monitored leak detection system for quicker response if something goes wrong

Secure the school grounds

An empty campus can look like an easy target—these steps help it look lived-in and cared for.

• Keep exterior and parking lot lighting on
• Use timed or motion-activated interior lighting
• Add exterior cameras
• Clear dead vegetation and remove flammable materials
• Consider security patrols if staff can’t monitor the building regularly
• Update locks and keypad codes

Before you lock up for break

A little planning now can save you a lot of stress later. Whether your school is empty for a week or the entire winter season, keeping up with routine maintenance, security checks, and simple preventative steps will help ensure you return to a building that’s safe, sound, and ready for students.