In colder climates, withstanding the low temperatures and icy conditions in a post frame barn can be a challenge for people, animals, and equipment, as well as much of the inventory stored within. Changes in the weather come quickly, and owners must be prepared to manage the colder temperatures while protecting their property. Below are the key factors to consider when winterizing your barn.

Assess Your Building

Severe winters cause plenty of problems for people and animals. Animals, for example, can experience cracked hooves and end up with frozen water buckets. 

Before doing any maintenance or updates, take the time to examine your structure. Look for broken windows, doors, missing tiles, damaged wiring or plumbing, and anything else that can become a problem. 

In addition, make sure your ventilation system is working right since fresh air is necessary for animal health.

During the winter months, animals will likely benefit from extra insulation, proper blankets, and warm bedding. 

Checklist for Winterizing Your Barn

When winterizing your barn, use this essential checklist to ensure all animals and people will be comfortable even on the coldest of days.

• Look closely at the doors and windows to check the seals and latches. Make sure the cold air can not come in when windows and doors are shut. Seals can quickly become worn, so replacing them is essential to keep the wind out.
• Check the condition of the roof, as this is your primary protection against severe weather. Make sure there are no spaces or holes that can allow the cold air, rain, snow, and sleet to enter. 
• Trim or eliminate trees that could topple against the structure during severe weather conditions.  
• A heat source is essential during the winter, especially if you expect to spend a lot of time in the barn. Space heaters, however, can be dangerous when unattended, so make sure your heat source is not likely to cause fires. 
• To protect your horses or other animals, ensure the barn is insulated adequately for the conditions.
• Pack away any items that can freeze or be otherwise affected by the cold weather. These items can include buckets, hoses, and other animal care products.
• Make sure the water supply is clean and constantly flowing to avoid freezing. You may also need to insulate the piping.
• Ensure that your hay and bedding supplies are sufficient and are stored in a clean environment. 
• Keep the barn clean and tidy, especially since mud becomes a real problem in the winter.

Snow Removal Strategies

Having access to your post frame building is always important, so removing accumulated snow around the barn is essential. Create a comprehensive plan that will allow easy access to and from the barn. Make sure you allow a one trailer width path for any emergency evacuation from the barn.

Store your plow, shovels, and other tools where you can access them easily. 

After snowfall, clear the snow away from all gates and around the post frame building itself. Make sure to have a designated space for the removed snow to go. Don’t forget that this will continue to accumulate with additional storms, so make sure you have the space for a large pile of snow.

Consider keeping several bags of ice melt in the barn to keep ice from developing on the floor. These slippery patches can be dangerous for both humans and animals. Get a pet-friendly ice melt for any structure that houses animals. 

Finally, if you prefer to have others manage the snow, hire a dependable contractor who will be there when you need them.

Work with Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings

Building your post-frame barn correctly in the first place is always your best strategy. The professionals at Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings have been designing, building, and supplying owners in Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and Northwest Ohio with high-quality post frame structures for decades. 

Use the guide above to make sure humans, animals, and equipment are kept comfortable and dry. If you have more questions, ask the experts at Pacemaker by calling 888-834-4448.

For more information and to learn more about post frame construction and maintenance, arrange a meeting with the experts at Pacemaker Post Frame. Complete the easy Contact Us Form, and one of the Pacemaker professionals will contact you.