Although it may seem like the dog days of summer were just upon us, it's not too early to start thinking about winter. The cold months are right around the corner, and although last winter might seem like a distant memory, it's time to begin preparing for this winter season. Taking the time to address winterization now will go a long way in making sure your co-op or condo is ready to face the elements.

In an ideal situation, the board, super and any maintenance personnel should be up to speed on maintenance issues all year round. But preparation for winter should begin in late summer, as you take stock of any necessary maintenance needs.   However, one should always be mindful of the old adage that prevention is cheaper than the cure.

Tim Arel has a few recommendations to ensure your Association is prepared for winter:

In addition to basic window maintenance, some windows could present more serious problems. There is a little piece of metal over every single window head, which is a steel lintel that supports the brick above the window. They rust, bow and fail eventually. It's a very good idea to maintain them before winter arrives. If they rot, the bricks above them will become loose brick. Even before that happens, you'll have water penetration. It's a good thing to do before you're in the middle of the winter and you have water leakage. This is a more expensive repair that involves scaffolding and includes more extensive work done by a professional. You need to do it before the cold weather.

 It's also imperative that boards consider ever-rising heating costs long before the winter sets in.   This is the time of year when you should be doing something to protect yourself from rising costs. As the heating season gets closer, prices go up.  If you contact your energy supplier, they'll look at winter time usage and provide fixed price options that may save money and assist in cash flow.

Preparing for winter ahead of time is essential, but the work isn't done once the temperature drops. This is especially true in regards to heating costs and fuel use.   During the heating season, building personnel should closely monitor fuel consumption in reference to past consumption for similar degree days. Any notable increase should be addressed immediately.   Some causes of increased consumption could be from a leaking oil tank—it is mandatory to test some to comply with present codes and ordinances—or leaking steam piping or steam traps.

As a general rule, utility costs can be reduced by as much as 20 percent when a building's heating and cooling systems are maintained and serviced at proper intervals.   As a cost-cutting or preventative measure, all mechanical devices must be maintained and serviced if necessary throughout the winter months. 

Waiting too long to address serious winterization problems could likely result in exorbitant repair fees, mechanical failures and, at the very least, inconvenienced and upset residents and shareholders. Avoiding these problems in the first place is the best way to maintain your bottom line, keep your condo's facilities in good working order and ensure that no one is left out in the cold.

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