It might still be fall, but that doesn't mean Mother Nature won't have wintry tricks up her sleeve sooner than expected. Because of this, it's time to start thinking about how you'll winterize your building for the season, whether it begins tomorrow or in a few months' time.

To make that task easier — especially if your facility is extra-large — we've gathered the following five tips to help you prepare for ice, snow and all of the dropping temperatures in between.

Check for Leaks

There's no time like the not-so-cold time to look for leaks in your commercial property. When you find them in the winter, it'll be too late. Cold air will be seeping in through cracks and other openings in the façade of your building, making it that much harder to regulate the space's overall temperature.

If you do find leaks in the walls, seal them with caulk. You should also apply weatherproofing strips to your windows and doors so that air cannot slip through those cracks, either.

While you're checking your walls, be sure that all of the water pipes in the building have proper insulation, too. A frozen water pipe can, of course, burst, so making sure they're warm for winter is a vital step in your building-prep process.

Prepare for Snow Clean-Up

You never want to wake up to snow and wonder, "Who is going to plow the parking lot? Who will shovel the pathway into the building? Where will we get salt to make these spaces even safer?"

Before winter, come up with a full snow-clearing plan and invest in the equipment you'll need to make that plan a reality. Or, find a contractor who will come out to your property with all the supplies he or she would need to clear the snow away. Having that number at the ready will make you that much more prepared for any snowfall this winter.

De-Ice Before the Storm

An ice storm is no laughing matter — even just a quarter-inch of ice can have huge, damaging impact. Ice on the branches of a tree, for example, can increase the weight of its branches by up to 30 times, which is why so many trees fall during these types of storms.

Although your structure is probably more sound than a tree's branches, you'll need to prepare it for an impending ice storm. When an ice or snowstorm is forecasted, apply de-icing products before the weather arrives to prevent the slick precipitation from sticking to the ground.

You should also prep for wet, snowy feet on these days, too. Placing mats at the door of your building is a simple way to stop employees from tracking precipitation inside and making floors slippery and hazardous.

Back up Data and Your Power Supply

Icy and snowy weather can also damage power lines and cause power outages that last for days. And, if your company's information isn't backed up, you might come back to missing documents and data after the storm.

That's why it's imperative to regularly back up your data, at the very least. Do an extra backup when you know a storm is coming, just in case your regularly scheduled backups won't kick in in time for the icy weather.

For added security, you might want to consider investing in a backup power supply that can step in when ice or snow stop electricity from flowing. With an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system, you're less likely to be affected by local power outages. You can protect your data, and you'll save money that you could have lost due to power outages and surges. Plus, you can use your UPS system year-round during other unexpected outages, too.

Clear the Air

Just before winter is the perfect time to take care of your building's air ducts and filters. Inspect all of them to make sure they're clean — and replace filters as needed. Make note of any wet walls or other types of leakages and show them to a professional who can help you restore dryness to your building's exterior walls.  

Making sure air quality is up to snuff should also include hiring an HVAC specialist to come out and inspect your entire system to make sure it's in working order and ready to pump out heat in winter. You might find your system is in need of repair and replacement and, while that's a pricey change, it's worth it to improve the quality and comfort of your property.

Empty the Gutters

Finally, it's essential to inspect your building's gutters and roof before you enter the winter season. Gutters full of leaves and sticks will block melting snow and ice from draining, and you don't want your roof covered in debris that will end up in your gutters, either. A pre-winter cleaning will keep everything draining adequately come snowfall.

The extra weight of ice and snow that hasn't properly melted and drained away can put pressure on your roof and damage its structural integrity. A hole in the ceiling is the last problem you want to have when temperatures drop this winter, so take steps to prevent it now.

Get Started

Now, you have all of the items on your to-do list, and you're ready to prepare your building for winter. All you have left to do is start. With the path laid out before you, you'll be safeguarding your property, as well as everything and everyone in it, before winter weather starts rolling in. And there's no better reason to start now than that.