Winter has a way of testing buildings the moment temperatures drop. Heating systems work harder, walkways ice over, and small maintenance issues that went unnoticed in the fall can turn into real problems once the cold sets in.
A short review before winter arrives helps churches stay ahead of it, rather than reacting to it. Taking time now protects the building, the budget, and the people who gather there all season long.
Why Does Winter Preparation Matter for Churches?
Church buildings face a few winter risks that homes and offices don't. Many sit mostly empty from Monday to Saturday, so a furnace that quits on Tuesday night or a pipe that freezes in a classroom wing may not be noticed until Sunday morning. Thermostats are often turned down in rooms that aren't in use, and some parts of the building (a fellowship hall, a youth room, a storage closet against an outside wall) may only be heated a few hours a week.
Winter is also a busy season for ministry. Christmas services, community meals, and holiday programs bring more people onto the property at the exact time parking lots and steps are most likely to be slick.
The cost of being caught off guard can be significant. State Farm reported that the average frozen-pipe claim it paid from 2024 through mid-2025 was more than $30,000, across more than 20,000 claims. Those figures come from home insurance, but the lesson carries over: once water gets loose inside a building, the damage adds up quickly, and most of it is preventable.
What Should Churches Check Before the First Freeze?
A single walkthrough with your facilities lead and one or two key volunteers can cover most of what follows. Plan on an hour or two, and bring a notepad or phone to record what needs follow-up.
1. Test Heating Systems Before You Need Them
A heating system that hasn't been checked since last spring can fail at the worst possible moment. Testing it early gives you time to schedule repairs before the coldest weeks hit.
Schedule a furnace or boiler inspection before temperatures drop
Replace filters and check that vents and returns aren't blocked by furniture or storage
Confirm thermostats and any zoned systems are working correctly, including programmable schedules
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, especially near fuel-burning equipment
Decide on a minimum temperature for unused rooms during cold snaps, rather than turning heat off entirely
2. Walk Your Property for Ice and Snow Hazards
Parking lots, walkways, steps, and entry points are where most winter slips happen. A walkthrough now helps you see where ice tends to collect and what needs attention before the first snowfall.
Note low spots where water pools and refreezes, and where downspouts empty onto walkways
Clear gutters so meltwater drains away from doors and steps
Check handrails on outdoor steps and ramps for loose or missing sections
Confirm who handles snow removal and salting (staff, volunteers, or a contractor) and how early they'll arrive before services
Stock ice melt and place mats at entrances to catch water tracked inside
Check that outdoor lighting works for shorter daylight hours and evening events
3. Protect Pipes and Prevent Water Damage
Frozen pipes are one of the most common and costly winter issues for church buildings, especially in spaces that sit unused during the week. The American Red Cross notes that the pipes most likely to freeze are those in unheated areas (basements, crawl spaces, attics, kitchen cabinets) and those running along exterior walls with little insulation. A little prevention goes a long way.
Locate the main water shutoff, label it clearly, and make sure more than one person knows where it is
Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas with pipe sleeves or heat tape
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and close the inside valves that feed outdoor spigots
During hard freezes, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warmer air can reach the pipes
Keep heat on in rarely used spaces; the Red Cross recommends never setting the heat below 55°F in a building left empty during cold weather
If your church has a baptistry, confirm how it's heated or drained for the winter months
If a pipe does freeze, never thaw it with an open flame. The Red Cross warns against torches and similar heat sources, which can damage the pipe or start a fire. Call a licensed plumber if you can't safely reach or thaw the area.
How Should Churches Decide When to Cancel or Close for Winter Weather?
Severe winter weather sometimes means canceling services or closing the building altogether. Deciding how those calls get made, and how the congregation will hear about them, is much easier before a storm than during one.
Name the decision makers. Agree on who makes the call (often the senior pastor with a facilities or operations lead) and who serves as backup.
Set a decision time. For example, deciding by a set time the evening before or early that morning gives families and volunteers time to adjust.
Choose your channels. Decide where announcements will go (text, email, social media, website, phone tree) and keep the message consistent across all of them.
Plan for those who rely on you. Think through how closures affect weekday programs, meal ministries, and any outside groups that rent your space.
Check the building after the storm. Have someone walk through for leaks, ice buildup, or heating problems before people return.
For help shaping those messages, see our guide to clear and caring ministry communication. Our broader severe weather preparation guide for churches also covers communication during and after storms.
What Should You Do If Someone Slips or the Building Is Damaged?
Even with good preparation, accidents happen. Knowing the first few steps ahead of time helps leaders respond calmly and care for people well.
If someone is injured
Care for the person first and call for medical help if needed. Then write down what happened while details are fresh: the time, the location, the conditions (ice, water, lighting), and who saw it. Take photos of the area. Our guide on what to do when an injury happens in your ministry walks through these steps in more detail.
If a pipe bursts or the building is damaged
Shut off the water at the main valve, and turn off electricity to affected areas if it's safe to do so. Take photos and video before cleanup begins, move valuables and equipment out of harm's way, and contact your insurance advisor promptly so you understand next steps before major repairs start.
How Does Winter Affect Your Church's Coverage?
Winter brings its own set of risks, from weather-related property damage to injuries on icy walkways. It's also a season when church activities often change. Some churches open as warming centers, host holiday events with larger crowds, or rent space to outside groups for seasonal gatherings. Each of these can affect what your coverage needs to do.
A short coverage conversation before the season begins is a good time to ask:
How does our policy respond to water damage from frozen or burst pipes, and are there conditions we should know about (such as maintaining heat in the building)?
Are we protected if a guest or volunteer is injured on our property?
Does anything about how we use the building this winter differ from last year?
If outside groups use our space, do our rental agreements address winter responsibilities like snow removal?
Every policy is different, so the answers depend on your specific coverage. If you're not sure where your protection may fall short, our article on common ministry insurance coverage gaps is a helpful starting point, and our facility rentals checklist covers what to include when outside groups use your building.
Quick Recap: Getting Your Church Ready for Winter
Test and service heating systems, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Walk the property for ice and snow hazards, and confirm your snow removal plan
Protect pipes, label the water shutoff, and keep unused spaces heated
Agree on who makes closure decisions and how the congregation will be notified
Know the first steps after an injury or building damage
Revisit coverage before winter weather arrives
Facing Winter with Confidence
Winter doesn't have to catch a ministry off guard. A little preparation now helps protect the building, the budget, and the people who depend on it. When the season winds down, our post-winter building review guide can help you check for anything the cold left behind.
1225 United supports ministries by helping leaders think through coverage as the seasons, and the risks that come with them, change.
If you'd like help reviewing your coverage before winter weather arrives, contact 1225 Program Director, Amanda Ostrowski, for supportive, ministry-centered guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should our church start preparing for winter?
Late fall is a good target, before the first hard freeze. That leaves time to schedule furnace service, insulate pipes, and line up snow removal before contractors get busy. If your area sees early cold snaps, start in October.
What temperature should we keep the building at when it's empty?
Don't turn the heat off entirely during cold weather. The American Red Cross recommends keeping heat no lower than 55°F in a building left empty during freezing temperatures. Rooms along exterior walls or with older pipes may need a little more.
Do we need a written snow and ice removal plan?
It doesn't need to be formal, but it should be clear. Write down who handles removal, how early they arrive before services and events, where ice melt is stored, and who covers if the usual person is unavailable. If you use a contractor, keep a copy of the agreement on file.
What's the most common winter issue for church buildings?
Frozen or burst pipes, especially in spaces that aren't used or heated consistently during the week. Because church buildings often sit empty for days at a time, a small leak can run for a long time before anyone notices.
What should we do first if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to affected areas if it's safe, and document the damage with photos and video before cleanup. Then contact a plumber and your insurance advisor so you understand next steps before repairs begin.
Should we talk with our insurance advisor before winter?
A quick check-in is worth it, especially if anything about the building or how you use it has changed since last year. New programs, warming center hours, holiday events, or outside rentals can all affect what your coverage needs to do.
Who should be involved in our winter review?
Typically, facilities staff, key volunteers who open and close the building, and whoever manages your church's insurance relationship. Including the person who handles communication helps your closure plan come together at the same time.
