Trying to get the maximum life out of your commercial building?
Did you know maintenance makes up 40% of total lifecycle costs of a building? Imagine what you can do with that money if you play your cards right.
The good news? By implementing some simple proactive maintenance measures, you can extend your commercial buildings life expectancy while significantly reducing repair costs.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Reactive vs Proactive Maintenance
- Commercial Building Systems That Require Maintenance
- Commercial Roof Maintenance
- How To Develop A Commercial Building Maintenance Schedule
Reactive vs Proactive Maintenance
Okay, let’s start with the basics…
Reactive maintenance is exactly what it sounds like…
You wait until something breaks then rush to repair it.
Proactive maintenance…
Prevents issues from becoming serious problems in the first place.
Pretty simple right? Here’s the crazy part.
Statistics show commercial roofs that had proactive maintenance plans averaged a service life of 21 years while reactive maintenance plans only saw 13 years of life. That’s over 60% more life by simply being proactive!
Who wouldn’t want to save on replacing that roof for another 8 years?!
If you want to start being proactive with your building, read on. I’ll show you where to begin.
Commercial Building Systems That Require Maintenance
Like any relationship, you can’t spend the same amount of time and effort on every part of your commercial building.
You have to pay special attention to the items that need it most.
HVAC Systems
Heating and cooling systems have to work year-round to keep your tenants comfortable. If you neglect your HVAC maintenance, you’ll regret it.
Expect higher utility bills, annoyed tenants, costly emergency repairs, and decreased equipment lifespan.
HVAC systems should be professionally serviced at least twice per year. Be sure to change out your filters regularly in between professional visits.
Plumbing
Water is the enemy of all building owners. One little leak can turn into a major problem in a short amount of time.
Schedule regular plumbing inspections to look for damaged pipes, leaky fixtures, clogged drains, etc.
Electrical Systems
Electrical issues are more than just an inconvenience, they’re a fire hazard.
Have your electrical systems inspected every year by a professional that is licensed in your state.
Building Envelope
All the components that make up your exterior walls, windows, doors, and roof are known as the building envelope.
This system is what keeps your indoor space protected from outside elements. If your building envelope has any weak points, your entire building could be at risk.
Commercial Roof Maintenance
The roof is probably the most important component of your building envelope. It bears the brunt of the exposure to direct sunlight, rain, winds, and snow.
Here’s the deal…
Commercial roofs are designed to last anywhere from 15-30 years. But that doesn’t mean your roof will automatically make it to 30 without proper maintenance.
A poorly maintained roof could fail in as little as 10 years. A well-maintained roof can last upward of 40+ years.
What does commercial roof maintenance include?
- Regular Inspections
- Repair any issues immediately
- Maintain proper drainage
- Document all findings
Inspections of your roof should be done a minimum of twice per year. You should also inspect after any major storms. If possible, get on your roof and walk around it.
Look for any pooling water, damaged flashings, debris, or any other signs of wear.
It’s crucial that you have any issues repaired ASAP. Something small can turn into a costly repair down the road.
Standing water on roofs can cause drainage issues. Water that doesn’t drain off of your roof will cause leaks. Once a leak starts, you’re on the path to structural damage.
Your roof is a crucial component to your building. Partner with a reputable roofing services company that has experience with your specific type of roof. For those seeking quality roofing services in Albany, finding the right partner can help you develop a preventative maintenance plan and perform annual inspections.
How To Develop A Commercial Building Maintenance Schedule
Having a plan is better than leaving things to chance. Let’s walk through the steps to create a working maintenance plan.
Step 1: Conduct An Initial Assessment
You need to know where your building currently stands before you can develop a plan to maintain it.
Inspect all major systems and take note of their current condition. Age and expected lifespan are important here as well.
Step 2: Determine What Needs To Be Done And When
Some things are more important than others. Things that can impact the safety of your tenants or would be costly to replace should be done first.
Your roofing system, HVAC, and electrical should be at the top of your list.
Your maintenance schedule should look something like this:
Roof
- Professional Inspection – Twice Yearly minimum
- After Major Storms
HVAC
- Change Filters – Quarterly
- Professional Maintenance – Twice yearly
Plumbing
- Professional Inspection – Yearly
Electrical
Fire Safety
- Inspections – As required by local code.
Step 3: Budget Accordingly
Just because you’re being proactive doesn’t mean your costs will go away. In fact, now you’ll have the expense of regular inspections.
However, keep in mind that you typically save two dollars for every dollar you spend on proactive maintenance. Preventing issues can significantly cut costs.
Step 4: Document, document, document
When it comes to maintenance, record-keeping is your best friend.
Take detailed notes on every inspection. Repair costs, dates, who was hired to do the work. Everything.
Having detailed records will help you identify trends. Which can help when setting budgets for the following year.
Mistakes To Avoid When Maintaining Your Commercial Building
We all know someone that thinks they can fly by the seat of their pants. Odds are you’re that person when it comes to your commercial building maintenance.
Don’t worry… we’ve all been there. It’s easy to make excuses why your building should be exempt from maintenance.
Here are a few of the most common mistakes building owners make.
Skipping Regular Inspections
If there’s one thing in this article to take away, let this be it.
Don’t skip building inspections to save a few bucks. When it comes down to it, the inspection fee is nothing compared to an emergency repair.
Small problems have a way of turning into giant problems. That small hole in your roof is allowing water in your insulation right now.
By the time you notice water spots on your ceiling, the damage is done. Trust me.
Picking Cheap Contractors
Just because you can buy a roll of roof boot flashing at your local hardware store doesn’t mean you should repair your roof yourself.
There’s nothing worse than a building owner who tries to dabble in things they know nothing about.
Always verify a contractors license, insurance, and references before you hire them. That cheap roof repair quote will end up being the most expensive yet.
Remember: When in doubt, always consult a professional.
Failure To Keep Records
This ties into our previous section on having a maintenance schedule.
If you don’t know your building has been maintaining, you can’t fix what you don’t know is wrong.
Keeping good records can also come in handy when dealing with insurance claims or if you decide to sell.
Putting Off Maintenance
This usually happens when we let our busy day-to-day lives get in the way.
We all have busy seasons where everything piles up. Before you know it, that “small” maintenance item turns into a costly project.
Just because you’re short on time this month, doesn’t mean your building’s maintenance problems will wait until next month.
Conclusion
Commercial building maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult.
Implement these simple strategies and you’ll save yourself time, money, and stress.
- Inspect your building regularly to stay ahead of potential problems.
- Repair any issues as they’re identified.
- Pay special attention to your roof.
- Document everything!
- Always hire qualified professionals.
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