Property owners face all kinds of building maintenance problems on a daily basis. The trick is to know how to deal with them when they arise.
How to Fix Common Building Maintenance Problems
What is the building maintenance definition? Building maintenance is a necessary part of property ownership. It ensures that your property remains in good condition and lasts as long as possible. Maintenance also plays an important role in the overall aesthetics of your property.
As with most things in life, knowledge is power in the realm of building maintenance management. To learn how to deal with various maintenance issues, you must properly equip yourself with vital information. Below, you will find the most common maintenance problems building owners encounter and how to resolve them.
HVAC Issues
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is integral to keeping good airflow in your building. But, HVAC-related problems can arise at any time. When that happens, employees and customers can feel uncomfortable — and even sick — due to poor air quality. Here are some of the most common HVAC issues and how you can deal with them:
- Dirty Filters. Dirty filters can prevent airflow from properly circulating, resulting in your HVAC system having to work twice as much. Luckily, you can easily fix this problem by replacing your filters regularly.
- Faulty Thermostats. There is often a simple solution to malfunctioning thermostats — replace the batteries. If that does not work, then it is best to contact your HVAC provider or review your owner’s manual.
- Dirty Condenser or Evaporator Coils. Dirty condensers or evaporator coils can mess with the cooling aspect of your HVAC system. Clean these items regularly, making sure to turn off the power to the condenser, to avoid further problems.
- Motor Noises. Strange noises coming from the motor can be caused by dirt or motor failure. Clean your motor regularly and, if necessary, replace it altogether.
- Ignition Issues. Several things can cause ignition issues, such as dirty burners, flame sensors, or pilots. It may also be due to a problem with the gas supply or general wear and tear. A professional HVAC technician can help you narrow down the cause and address the issue.
- Water Leaks. If water is leaking from your HVAC system, check the drain pipes to see if it is clogged or damaged. Pouring bleach down the drain pipes can help maintain its condition.
Electrical Issues
All buildings rely on electricity to operate. The many appliances in your building could start to malfunction, which is a common problem building owners have to deal with. When that happens, check the owner’s manual to see how to address each specific problem. If you still have an active warranty, it is a good idea to take advantage of that.
Burned-out light bulbs are another one of the common building maintenance problems owners face. And while it is easy to replace a light bulb, other electrical issues require a professional’s touch. When it comes to overloaded circuits and wiring complications, it is best to contact an electrician or building maintenance company.
Plumbing Issues
Proper plumbing keeps your water system running smoothly. No employee or customer wants to encounter overflowing toilets or clogged drains. Here are some of the most common plumbing problems you may face:
- Leaky Pipes. If your pipes are leaking, it may be due to your water pressure being too high or an extreme change in temperature.
- Clogged Drains. All sorts of debris can get stuck in your drains, preventing water from flowing down. The best way to deal with this is to hire the help of a professional.
- Running Toilets. To fix running toilets, check your tank. It is usually due to water overflowing from the tank down to the bowl.
- Low Water Pressure. If your building’s water pressure is too low, clogged pipes are usually the culprit.
- Dripping Faucets. The most common cause of dripping faucets is worn-out rubber washers. You can easily fix this by replacing them.
Staining, Fading, and Vandalism
Over time, your building’s exterior can start to look old and worn-out. The paint can begin to fade and walls suddenly become stained. More often than not, this type of issue is caused by the accumulation of dirt, grime, oil, grease, mold, algae, and other pollutants.
If you want to make sure your building looks its best, adopt a regular cleaning schedule. You should also make time for a more intensive, deep cleaning of your building every so often. Alternatively, you can invest in commercial cleaning services for industrial-strength products and equipment. For faded paint, try a touch-up painting service.
Additionally, your building may experience unwanted paint in the form of vandalism. Graffiti can significantly affect the appearance of your property and drive away customers. When removing graffiti, though, you must take into account the combination of the type of paint used and the underlying surface material. Some paint removers are not safe for use on specific surfaces. Thus, it is recommended to seek professional graffiti removal services.
Infrastructure Problems
Cracks are ordinary building defects, whether they are on the surface or in joints. Typically, an improper curing process causes these cracks to form, but time and the elements can also play a role. The good news is that it is fairly easy to repair cracks in your building. You can apply putty or mortar to the area and even administer a wire mesh for better durability.
Winter Issues
Although a blanket of snow can give your building a romantic and cozy feel, it can also make it hard for employees and customers to get in and out of the premises. Additionally, winter brings a number of major problems, such as frozen pipes and accidents.
There are a number of ways you can remove snow and ice from your property. Employing the help of a shovel is one, though this method can take time. You can also use different pre-treatments or deicers to melt ice or keep it from forming. Professional building maintenance services, though, have access to industry-grade deicing agents and equipment such as snowplows.
Lack of Good Maintenance Personnel
Although you can employ workers to take care of your building maintenance system, it is not always easy to find qualified applicants. Not everyone has a broad range of skills required to perform maintenance work. Of course, you can choose to train maintenance personnel, but that will take both time and money.
Commercial building maintenance companies, though, already have teams dedicated to different building maintenance jobs. Such companies deal with a wide variety of problems every day. Therefore, they have the experience and expertise to resolve any maintenance issue you have.
Poor Record Management
Many building owners take maintenance management for granted and, consequently, forget to keep a record of maintenance issues. Without such records, you can quickly lose track of warranties, maintenance schedules, and maintenance histories. While it is good to keep a building maintenance checklist, this type of record usually does not include enough details.
A simple solution is to keep a detailed record of all maintenance issues that transpire. Include the specific problem, the resolution, important dates, and figures (such as cost). This will allow you to stay organized. Of course, you can also adopt a more modern approach and invest in maintenance management software for your building.
Why Preventive Maintenance Matters
Although correcting maintenance problems as they occur is a decent strategy, it does not hold a candle to preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance can help curb building maintenance problems, addressing them before they even happen. To do so, adopt a regular schedule for maintenance inspections, cleaning, and replacements.
If you need further assistance with building maintenance, no other company compares to Maintenance Specialists Inc. Call us today at (704) 405-6000 or contact us online to learn more about our services.
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