Do you have a preventive maintenance checklist?
Whether you own a shopping center, office building, restaurant, or retail store, failing to invest in maintenance now will cost you in the long run. It’s good practice to perform on-going maintenance on the big items listed for commercial property preventative maintenance below, while not neglecting small repairs either.
As a property owner, you want to do your best to ensure your investment is protected. The best practice is to get in the habit of performing ongoing maintenance on the big-ticket components listed below (though it’s a good idea to keep up with small repairs too).
As a commercial construction general contractor, it’s our job to know not only what equipment needs to be checked and how often, but the difference in construction costs to maintain equipment versus replacing it. Here are some items that need regular reviews to make sure your commercial property is running at optimal performance.
1. HVAC:
Rooftop heating and cooling units should be checked at least once every three months. This includes air filter changes. Doing basic maintenance each quarter can drastically increase the life of your HVAC system while failing to do maintenance can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
For example: installing a new outdoor rooftop unit could cost upwards of $10,000, a figure that might skew your yearly maintenance budget. And that amount doesn’t even factor in the construction costs associated with the replacement.
2. Electric:
Electricians recommend yearly reviews of breaker boxes, switches, outlets, batteries, wires, and other electrical components. If you turn your breakers off and on to make sure they run, you can reduce the possibility of them shutting down accidentally. Check outlets, switches, and wires regularly to ensure there is no deterioration or cracking, and check batteries for corrosion, replacing as needed. And keeping vent grilles, circuit boxes, and all electrical storage free of dirt, dust, and debris will keep your building safe, and repairs minimal.
3. Plumbing:
Proper plumbing maintenance can save a lot of money and energy. Consistent maintenance can also help retain tenants. Review yor plumbing system once a year. If you own a restaurant, add a yearly jetting of the pipes to your maintenance checklist to flush out grease and sludge.
4. Kitchens & Bathrooms:
Do regular kitchen and bathroom inspections to spot damaged tiles, cracking/missing grout, malfunctioning soap and paper towel dispensers, faulty hardware, and proper signage.
If your business handles food, your commercial general contractor should at least touch up the caulk and grout and inspect these items before the health inspector’s yearly visit.
5. Roof:
Roof maintenance includes regularly scheduled inspections, periodic repairs, and the addition of reflective coatings.
We recommend getting your roof inspected at least twice a year, in the spring and once in the fall.
This inspection should include making sure drains and downspouts are clear of blockage, checking penetrations and flashings for gaps or tears, examining rooftop vents to make sure they are sealed, and looking for damage to the roof.
Commercial roofs can have a warranty for up to 20 years, as long as you keep the roof inspected.