You already know that starting a business requires you to wear many trade hats, and one of the most important hats is that of building or office maintenance. Keeping up with maintenance can be work, especially if you let something that just doesn't look or sound right go too far. Neglect leads to expensive repairs or replacement needs, and that leads to a decrease in business. Don't let the maintenance problems get out of hand. Use these tips for every season to guide you in performing needed maintenance tasks.
Things To Consider
Although following
these tips is a good start, keep in mind that every location has different
climatic conditions, so the weather could affect your list and require you to
do a few additional tasks.
Spring Maintenance
During the spring,
it is important to check the HVAC ducts for dust and dirt. Take some time to clean
the ducts out and change the air filter. Service the AC units by calling in a
professional to do a bi-yearly inspection and maintenance call.
In addition to
maintaining your HVAC system, be sure to clean up the exterior landscape, trim
the trees, establish a good plant watering schedule, and pressure wash the
siding and windows. Maintaining the outside area of your business will help you
make a great first impression.
Summer Maintenance
In the summer, you
also need to perform some basic maintenance tasks. These tasks are pretty
straightforward and shouldn't take you more than a couple of hours to complete.
Clean the debris leftover
from spring on the roof and gutters. Performing a quick inspection to look for
possible damage will help prevent damages from becoming more severe over time.
Check the trash
and recycling area to make sure it is in good condition. Keeping trash cans
clean and sealed can help minimize the chances of pests gathering around your
business.
Open and close
windows to make sure they are in good condition and that there are no air
leaks, as this can significantly raise your energy bill.
Finally, inspect
the asphalt on the parking lot. Parking lots can sustain a lot of damage if
they are exposed to moisture for too long. Repaint striping and signs and check
to make sure the asphalt remains in good condition.
Fall Maintenance Tasks
During the fall
season, you will need to spend some extra time cleaning any leaves that begin
to pile up. Clean outside areas and rake leave as often as you feel is
necessary. The number of trees in your area can help you determine how often
you should be raking.
Once the weather
starts to get cold, make sure to winterize exterior pipes and faucets so that
they do not freeze when temperatures are low. Take this opportunity to inspect
the plumbing for leaks or other problems.
Winter Maintenance Tasks
While winter can
vary depending on where you live, it is important to prepare your business for, especially low temperatures. Whether your area experiences snowstorms or not,
winter can significantly affect your business.
Prepare the
exterior lawn and plants for winter by utilizing special fertilizers made for
winter. Protect sensitive plants with coverings so that they can survive until
spring.
After a storm,
inspect your roofing for ice buildup. If at any of your seasonal inspections
you see anything like roof damage, you can call in a roofing expert, or you
might want to try a quick fix instead. You can use something like roof spray to
protect small areas where you think there might be a slight leak. This will
keep the roof protected until you can call in an expert to change a few of the
shingles. Consider looking for a roofing service such as Everest
Systems to help you determine exactly what kind of work your roofing needs
to handle harsh weather conditions.
Indoor Maintenance
While there is no
particular season to check for indoor problems, you want to check your smoke
alarms twice a year and make sure the batteries are fresh. Another good idea is
to inspect electrical outlets to ensure there are no outer wires or anything
else that could cause a fire. While you are at it, you might want to check the
light bulbs and replace any that do not function well.
0 Comments