How to Protect Outdoor Signs from Storm Damage

For many restaurant owners and business leaders, outdoor signs are invaluable. Though hanging electric business signs, scrolling marquee signs, or other business messages can be an expensive endeavor, the results are undeniable-- outdoor ads are responsible for a large percentage of customer traffic to any business. In fact, 58% of poll respondents learned about a restaurant they later visited from a billboard they saw in the car.It's understandable why business owners and even schools would value signs and billboards. However, outdoor signs are unfortunately at the mercy of the natural elements.If you're a business owner concerned about protecting your outdoor signs from the coming winter or from an oncoming storm, use this guide to protect your most valuable customer magnets:

Choose a Sign That's Built to Last

The first step to ensuring your business sign lives a long and prosperous life is to invest in high-quality. Look for materials that are built to last and will not rust in wet conditions. Also be sure to maintain the sign regularly so that no cracks or other weaknesses allow water to penetrate deeper into the sign's components, which could lead to more serious damage. 

Install Properly

Make every effort to install your sign properly. If the sign company is handling the installation for you, be sure to ask that their techniques protect LED lights and other features from the elements. A sturdy, deeply-mounted sign is a sign that survives.

Trim Back Limbs

If you can't bring a sign inside in the face of bad weather, you can still help protect it from wind and storm damage. Trim back nearby branches that might fall and shatter your scrolling marquee signs or digital billboard. If you can do so safely, keep other loose objects, like decorations or benches, away from the sign if a windstorm or tornado is approaching.

If You Can, Bring it Inside

If you know a significant weather event is approaching, such as a hurricane, it might be a good idea to bring the sign indoors. The hassle of digging out and protecting a mounted sign might seem worth it when half of the roofs in the neighborhood have been ripped to shreds by a storm. For smaller signs and portable signs, consider bringing the sign in every night or during less severe storms to help it last longer.A little preparation and diligence can keep your scrolling marquee signs, outdoor church signs, and other electronic signs safe through most weather conditions. Take the necessary weather precautions so that you continue to draw in passing customers for seasons to come.