It’s been a tough year for everyone, but do not let the pandemic keep you down! Regardless of what you are going through, it is always a good idea to keep your head in the game and deal with any challenges that come your way appropriately.
One way of achieving this is ensuring you take care of your property. In this post, you will learn some mandatory commercial building maintenance checklist items that will help you stay on top of your property and avoid costly repairs later.
Clean and Prep the Landscaping
If the pandemic has caused you to slow down on exterior maintenance, now’s not the time to slack. The landscaping will be taking a beating from wind and rain in addition to daily foot traffic for your buildings this winter season.
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Cleaning up leaves before they mulch and get blown around by high winds will control some of that mess before it becomes an issue, which could lead to liability problems. So, start with pressure washing your hardscapes off, then move onto vacuuming as many grass clippings out of mats or laying them flat until they can re-green themselves.
If there are any trees on-site, make sure their trunks have been scraped clean and remove all low-hanging branches, making sure you are not blocking sight lines. Finally, remove any dead or dying plants and get a jump on your spring planting by getting pots, fertilizer, stakes, and other supplies ready for the warmer months, when things will start to take off as summer comes.
Lawns and gardens must also be maintained to keep them green. First, check the soil for signs of drought, such as dryness or cracks. Ensure you know when it’s time to water your plants and grass by checking weather reports in advance (if it’s going to rain). It would help if you also did a general clean-up before the winter season hits with gloves, rake, clippers, and other necessary tools.
Service A/C Units
It is imperative that you stay on top of your maintenance schedules as much as possible while there are still people around who can help with this task. You want to ensure that things like water leaks or broken pipes don’t go unnoticed until it’s too late, and the worst has happened.
To accomplish tasks such as A/C units servicing:
- Check filters daily
- Fill unit every month with coolant (check owner’s manual)
- Replace the air filter monthly
- Test refrigerant levels quarterly (according to manufacturer instructions)
- Change condenser coil annually
Servicing your A/C units will help keep them operating at peak efficiency and catch minor problems before they become larger ones. Additionally, ensure you work with a reliable company such as DUCTZ, so they can regularly check your unit whether a problem appears or not.
Inspect HVAC Ducts for Dust Build-Up
The HVAC system is one of the essential pieces in a building’s infrastructure because it helps keep the air clean and efficiently filters out bacteria. Inspecting ducts can be done by using a flashlight to inspect for dust build-up on all surfaces inside and outside the vents.
You should also check the filter monthly to make sure that they are not clogged or damaged, which will cause your ductwork to get dirty more quickly. Do this every year to keep the system running efficiently and reduce your energy expenses.
Pressure Wash Hardscapes
Pools and patios are an essential part of a property’s landscaping that you must maintain. In addition to cleaning these surfaces, pressure washing the hardscape with hot water is necessary for removing dirt build-up from concrete pools and patios.
This process also removes algae and other plant growths that can accumulate cracks between paving stones or on steps leading into your pool area. The use of high-pressure water hoses will remove this organic matter without scrubbing it away by hand.
Inspect Outdoor Lighting for Safety
It would help if you inspected outdoor lighting daily for safety. The best time is at dusk to ensure light fixtures are not pointed in the wrong direction or shining into a neighboring building and that they’re off when it becomes dark.
Cover any outdoor lights overnight with heavy-duty plastic bags because blowing dust may reduce their effectiveness during an emergency. Turn on all external security systems after business hours to automatically turn back on if the power goes out. If you have solar paneling installed, contact your installer before the storm arrives about securing panels from flying debris and other damages which could happen during high winds.
In conclusion, the mandatory commercial building maintenance checklist is a great way to ensure that your facility will be ready for the fall season and will be able to withstand any disasters that may arise.
Photo by Henry & Co.