In a world where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, gas station owners face a unique challenge: ensuring their signs remain visible and functional no matter the conditions.
From heavy rain and high winds to scorching heat and freezing cold, the elements can take a toll on even the most well-designed signs. But with the right strategies and materials, it's possible to weatherproof your gas station signs and keep them shining bright, attracting customers, and driving business success.
“Most people consider words about the weather to fall into the category of small talk. But for C-store operators, it’s serious business, not idle chatter,” Erik J. Martin wrote in CSP. “Severe storms and extreme events involving the elements can threaten C-store retailers’ bottom lines as well as their employees’ safety. But planning for and talking about these Mother Nature-induced adversities can help soften the blow—and even recoup some lost sales.”
When it comes to your signage, it needs to be visible to let your community, and those just passing through, that you are open. Let’s explore the key considerations for creating signs that can withstand the toughest weather challenges.
Wet conditions can be particularly challenging for gas station signs. Moisture can seep into electronic components, causing short circuits and malfunctions.
Additionally, humidity and condensation can lead to a cloudy appearance on sign faces, reducing visibility.
Finally, moisture can lead to leaks in LED panels, rusting bolts, and other parts, and even threaten your signage by overly soaking the ground around sign poles and other footings.
To combat these issues, consider the following:
Strong winds pose a significant threat to gas station signs, causing structural damage and reducing visibility.
PWM understands all about the damage that winds can do as our Houston-area employees witnessed the rare weather phenomenon derecho which stormed through the Bayou City in May with 90 mph winds that caused havoc and destruction.
Signs that are not designed to withstand high winds can become bent, twisted, or even uprooted, rendering them ineffective at attracting customers. To make matters worse, loose signage or detached materials pose a health risk to employees and customers.
To mitigate these risks:
Extreme heat can be just as damaging to gas station signs as wet or windy conditions. And if you think it keeps getting hotter, it is, at least if you live in Texas!
The National Weather Service looks at 30-year intervals and for Austin, for example, here is the average number of triple-digit days, which has tripled since the 1960s:
High temperatures can cause electronic components to overheat and fail, leading to malfunctions or complete breakdowns.
Additionally, bright sunlight and glare can make signs difficult to read. To protect your signs from heat-related issues:
Cold weather can also take a toll on gas station signs. Even in a state like Texas known for its heat and triple-digit weather, billion-dollar freeze events can strike that threaten residents and businesses.
Freezing temperatures can cause materials to become brittle and crack, while snow and ice buildup can obscure sign faces and reduce visibility. To combat these challenges:
Investing in weatherproof, visible, and reliable gas station signs is essential for attracting customers and driving business success.
Remember that keeping your gas station or C-store open during inconvenient hours and during extreme weather is not as much about profitability as it is about the reliability of your brand and commitment to the community.
Your sign is a beacon and a first impression that won’t be forgotten.
To ensure your gas station signs are equipped to handle the challenges of various weather conditions, it's often beneficial to partner with experienced sign manufacturers.
Experts such as PWM can provide customizable solutions tailored to your specific climate and business needs, incorporating the latest weatherproofing technologies and durable materials
Ongoing maintenance and support services can help ensure your signs continue to perform optimally over the long term, maximizing your investment and maintaining a strong brand presence
Weatherproofing your gas station signs is essential for ensuring visibility and reliability in all weather conditions. By implementing strategies to protect against rain, humidity, wind, heat, and cold, you can maintain a strong brand presence and attract customers no matter the forecast.
At PWM we know that investing in durable, weather-resistant sign solutions and partnering with an experienced manufacturer such as us can help you navigate the challenges of extreme weather and drive long-term business success.