As winter weather approaches, freezing temperatures pose a significant risk to your ministries’ properties. Unoccupied sanctuaries, fellowship halls, and auxiliary buildings are especially vulnerable to frozen and burst pipes during extreme cold snaps, which can lead to severe water damage and costly disruptions to ministry. 

Here are four essential steps your ministries can take right now to protect their facilities: 

• Maintain Consistent Heat: Keep thermostats set to at least 55°F (13°C) throughout all church buildings 24/7—even in unused rooms and during non-service days. 
• Insulate Exposed Pipes: Wrap exposed plumbing in unheated areas (crawl spaces, basements, attics, and exterior walls) with pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape. 
• Allow Faucets to Drip: During extreme freeze events, let faucets supplied by vulnerable pipes drip slowly. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate plumbing. 
• Know the Main Shut-Off Valve: Ensure staff and volunteers know the exact location of the main water shut-off valve and how to operate it immediately in an emergency. 

Bonus Tip: Consider installing a low-temperature alarm or smart thermostat that alerts facility leaders if building temperatures drop below safe levels. 

Click here to view a previous webinar on the subject. 

Taking these proactive steps today safeguards your congregation’s facilities and ensures your ministry continues without interruption this winter. This will help keep water damage claims to a minimum and premiums as stable as possible. 

The General Council on Finance and Administration has released the fifth edition of its Local Church Audit Guide, a fully updated resource designed to help United Methodist congregations strengthen financial accountability, improve internal controls and fulfill audit responsibilities outlined in The Book of Discipline.