Field Notes: Spring Cleaning for Your Signs

Spring has a way of exposing everything winter tried to hide. Dead plants, muddy windows… and yes, your signage. After months of cold temperatures, ice, wind, and general abuse from the elements, your signs have taken a beating whether they look like it or not.

The good news? A little attention goes a long way. We asked Jim, our chief service pro and the guy who has seen it all when it comes to sign wear and tear, to put together a practical checklist for spring sign maintenance. Consider this your seasonal nudge from our chief service pro Jim Polinsky.

Jim’s Spring Sign Maintenance Checklist

Illuminated & Electronic Signs

✔️ Are all lights functioning? Walk your signage at dusk because burned out lamps and dark panels are more visible (and more damaging to your business) than you think
✔️ Any flickering? That’s usually an early warning sign of a failing component
✔️ Check LED message boards and digital displays for dead pixels or erratic behavior
✔️ Inspect electrical connections and housings for moisture intrusion from winter freeze/thaw cycles

Exterior & Mounted Signs

✔️ Look for any signs that are loose, tilting, or shifting. Wind and ice expansion can compromise mounting hardware over time
✔️ Check for cracks, fading, or peeling on faces and surfaces
✔️ Inspect post-mounted signs for rust at the base, it starts underground before it shows up above it
✔️ Look for any physical damage from snow removal equipment, plow debris, or wind-blown objects

Cabinet & Channel Letter Signs

✔️ Check gaskets and seals — cracked seals let water in, and water and electrical components are not friends
✔️ Look inside cabinets for evidence of pest activity (yes, it happens more than you’d think)
✔️ Clean faces and surfaces — grime buildup dulls brightness significantly

General Condition

✔️ Step back and look at your signage the way a customer would like a first impression, cold eyes
✔️ Is the message still accurate? Hours, services, branding?
✔️ Any graffiti or vandalism that’s been overlooked?

Why It Matters More Than You Think

Here’s the thing, a sign that doesn’t light up isn’t just a little cringe. It’s a signal to potential customers that something might be off with your business. Is it closed? Struggling? Nobody wants to send that message. Your signage is often the first and sometimes only impression you make before someone walks through the door. It should be working as hard as you are.

Jim puts it simply: “Most of the service calls we get in spring could have been caught with a ten-minute walkthrough in March.”

Let’s Take a Look

If your spring walkthrough turns up anything on that list or if you just want a professional set of eyes on your signage before the busy season hits then Signs Ink is here for you. Reach out to the Signs Ink team to schedule a service check. We’ll make sure your signs are doing their job so you can focus on doing yours.

Don’t be like this….

Contact the service department at Signs Ink → 914.739.9059 or email us.

Sign foul imagery credit to Bored Panda