Denver's weather swings hard: dry, sunny winter days broken by arctic cold snaps, heavy wet spring snow, and summer afternoons with hail and downpours. Downtown buildings, with large roofs, exposed garages and dense piping, feel all of it. Use this calendar as a starting point and adapt it to your building's systems, vendor contracts and history of problems.
Through the year
- September
- Roof inspection and repairs before freezing weather. Clear drains and scuppers. Check curtain wall sealant and weep holes.
- October
- Service dry-pipe sprinkler systems and drain low points per the fire protection vendor. Test garage heaters and heat-trace. Shut and drain exterior hose bibbs.
- November
- Walk unheated spaces: garages, stair penthouses, loading docks. Confirm thermostats in vacant suites are not set too low.
- December to February
- Before forecast cold snaps, check vulnerable areas and keep doors to unheated spaces closed. Monitor sump pumps and garage drains during thaws.
- March to April
- Heavy wet snow season. Watch roof drains and rooftop equipment. Inspect for winter damage to flashing and parapets.
- May to August
- Hail and thunderstorm season. Keep temporary roof cover materials on hand. Inspect roofs after any significant hail.
- August
- Cooling season peak: check condensate drains and pans above ceilings, especially in tenant server rooms.
Year-round recurring checks
- Item
- Water heater and booster pump rooms
- Suggested frequency
- Monthly
- Owner of task
- Engineering
- Item
- Sump pumps and alarms
- Suggested frequency
- Monthly, more often in storm season
- Owner of task
- Engineering
- Item
- Supply lines in tenant pantries and restrooms
- Suggested frequency
- Quarterly walk-through
- Owner of task
- Engineering with tenant cooperation
- Item
- Kitchen exhaust hoods in restaurants
- Suggested frequency
- As required by the fire code and vendor
- Owner of task
- Restaurant tenant, verified by management
- Item
- Leak detection sensors, if installed
- Suggested frequency
- Test semiannually
- Owner of task
- Engineering or vendor
- Item
- Emergency binder and contact list
- Suggested frequency
- Annually and when vendors change
- Owner of task
- Property manager
Before any forecast cold snap
- Confirm building heat is running normally in all zones.
- Check vacant suites and storage rooms with exterior walls.
- Verify garage heaters and heat-trace are energized.
- Remind tenants not to turn heat off over a long weekend.
- Make sure night security knows where shutoffs are.
Common questions
Is leak detection worth adding to an older downtown building?
Many owners find it useful in high-risk spots: under water heaters, in pump rooms, near tenant kitchens and above server rooms. The value depends on someone receiving and acting on the alert, including at night and on weekends.
When should roof inspections happen in Denver?
Commonly in fall before freezing weather and again after any significant hail or wind event. Spring is a good time to check for winter damage to flashing and drains.
General information for Downtown Denver, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.