Your Comprehensive Monthly Building Maintenance Inspection Checklist
Scheduling routine inspections and maintenance checks is important in mitigating problems before they escalate. Brad Cartier states that an effective monthly building maintenance inspection checklist should include inspecting, detecting, correcting, and preventing. On average, building inspections cost about $200 to $250 for the first 100 square meters. If your building has a bigger floor space, you may be hesitant about scheduling regular inspections; however, you stand to lose a lot more by foregoing these inspections.
What is Building Maintenance?
Building maintenance is a proactive process carried out by facility maintenance staff to maintain the plumbing, HVAC, lighting, and electrical systems on a regular basis. The purpose of this procedure is to maintain their functionality for the benefit of the building’s users. This should be done on a regular basis since maintenance issues left unattended can result in increased operational expenses, needless health and safety breaches, and lost revenue due to a poor reputation. Cleaning, inspection, repair, restoration, and other maintenance tasks fall within the purview of the staff members responsible with keeping the facility in good condition. These employees can do normal, preventative, or remedial building maintenance.
1. Interior Maintenance Check
Inspecting the interior of your building should be the first item on your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist; it basically refers to ensuring the interior of your building is in pristine condition. The inspection includes but is not limited to; janitorial services such as carpet cleaning and mopping, painting, repairing walls and ceilings, and ensuring the doors and windows are working effectively. Whether your building is commercial or residential, an interior maintenance inspection has several benefits, including;
Return on investment: If, for example, your building is commercial, maintaining the interior in good condition will help create a more appealing environment for existing and potential clients; more clients equal more revenue. On the other hand, if the building is residential, maintaining your home’s interior not only creates a conducive habitat for you and your kin but will also attract potential clients if you are looking to sell or rent the building. Therefore, inspecting and maintaining the interior of your building is vital in your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist.
Functionality: A building whose interior is well maintained and inspected is more functional than one which is neglected. For example, If you have automatic doors within your building, failure to have them inspected and well-maintained will be seen when over time, the doors start malfunctioning. Therefore, interior maintenance inspections should be done at least once a month; among the things to check off your interior monthly building maintenance inspection checklist include;
2. Emergency Lighting Maintenance
Inspecting the lighting in your building is a process requiring you to hire the services of a professional electrician who comes in to inspect all the light fixtures within the building and ensure they are in optimum condition. Scheduling for the inspection of the lights in and around your building must be included in your monthly building and maintenance inspection checklist as it is one of the ways you can protect your building from intruders; for example, motion sensor lights are used to detect movement. Other than improving safety within the building, more benefits of inspecting your emergency lights include;
Helps to increase battery life: Modern-day light fixtures, including emergency lights, are fitted with LED, which typically have a longer lifespan compared to other light fixtures. However, over time there, LED light fixtures tend to lose charge. Therefore, scheduling regular light fixture inspections will help ensure the batteries are fully charged and consequently increase the lifespan and performance.
Fewer liability issues: If, for example, you have rented out your building to tenants and an accident or crime is committed during a time when the light fixtures within your building were not functioning properly, you may end up in trouble. Most building structures are required to have well-functioning emergency lights; this is according to NFPA. It is, therefore, important to ensure your emergency light batteries have at least 90 minutes of charge to be on the safe side.
3. HVAC Maintenance Inspection
Cleaning the system, changing the coolant, air duct cleaning, hiring ventilation system cleaners, or replacing air filters are all examples of AC maintenance procedures. Depending on the season, HVAC maintenance is best carried out during the less busy months. You should ensure your HVAC checklist is clear, understandable, well-researched, and consistent if you want it to be effective. It’s also important to plan routine HVAC maintenance as part of your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist after peak seasons like winter and summer when equipment is frequently put to heavy use.
4. Fire Protection Maintenance Inspection
Safety management and hazard reduction are crucial processes for people working in the fire protection sector. Fire safety maintenance inspections must be meticulously recorded and compliant with local fire codes. Your fire-preventative maintenance inspection should focus on the testing of emergency equipment. Inspect fire extinguishers with the help of a fire extinguisher service, exit signs, exit doors, and access points, inspection tags, combustible materials, safety controls, fire hydrants, and frayed wiring.
5. Electrical System Maintenance Inspection
For electrical maintenance inspections, everything from equipment to power outlets should be checked for repair needs. Untagged appliances and faulty wiring are potential safety hazards that can result in unplanned downtime. Maintenance inspections as part of your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist will keep your business safe and guard it against audits, litigation, and even injuries. The following items will be on the checklist for the majority of field service electrical system inspections: voltage guidelines, power outlets, breaker switches, meters, control boards, transformers, overcurrent and grounding, lighting, alarms, and surge protection.
6. CO2 monitors and Smoke Alarms
Verify that all smoke and fire alarms are operational and that new batteries are in place. This is a crucial fire safety measure, making it a great addition to monthly building maintenance inspection checklist. Additionally, check whether the devices are connected and all the CO2 monitor batteries are still functional. The battery life of each carbon monoxide detector in your building should be the same if you have more than one installed. If levels differ amongst detectors, you might want to think about changing the batteries in each one.
7. Locks and Leaks in Windows and Doors
Although windows and doors normally need routine maintenance for their hinges and other parts, it isn’t the only thing that has to be looked at. Verify the security of all windows and doors by looking for cracks, chipping, or other damage. Make sure that any windows that are damaged or cracked in any manner are replaced as soon as possible as part of your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist. Check the locks on doors for damage. Make replacement arrangements for any broken locks as soon as possible.
Additionally, check doors often for any indications of water damage, especially around thresholds and door frames. Water damage in this area may be a sign that your building has water leaks, which should be fixed right away. To spot this type of damage, look for drooping windowsills and doors.
8. Utilities
In your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist, you should also include checking the connectivity and functionality of your utilities. These include gas (if the property has it), electricity, and water. Verify that all utilities are functioning properly, and use a multimeter to look for any irregularities.
All mains electric cables need to be periodically examined and upgraded in compliance with health and safety laws. Verify that none of the primary electrical wirings has been damaged or corroded. They ought to be free of paint and other materials, and their insulation ought to be in good shape. Ensure the meter box is locked and safe if it is situated outside of your home. Verify that no open access points or other security hazards exist.
9. Leaks and Water Damage
The best place to look for leaks in your building’s pipes is behind every sink and restroom, if at all feasible. Repair the pipes as soon as possible if you discover any leaks. Install water monitors on each property to monitor water consumption in case of floods. When they notice excessive use, these devices instantly stop the water flow and compute the cost of water use. This enables you to detect any significant breaches so they can be fixed promptly. If your properties don’t already have these monitors installed, consider doing so prevent water damage.
You should also consider septic tank pumping from professional septic services to avoid backups. If the water were to enter your property, it would make for unsanitary living conditions. Another service to consider in your monthly building maintenance inspection checklist is grease trap pumping. Too much grease can cause clogs.
10. Insect Infestation and Foliage
Verify the overall health of the shrubs, grass, and plants. Ensure you know the types of plants that are present on your land so that you can identify those that may require treatment for disease or insects. Keep an eye out for any gaps since pests like rats and mice may easily locate entry points on the exterior of your building. Additionally, make sure that no fences are weak or have openings that animals may use to get inside.
Make sure that the treatment is harming none of the foliage or other vegetation on your property if the outside of your property has to be treated. Neither people nor animals should be exposed to these substances. Also put in the appropriate measure to keep your properyt bug-free. These include insects that potentially damage people or animals, such as flies, bees, wasps, and mosquitoes.
11. Communal Spaces
Make sure the common spaces are clutter-free and clean. Check that every piece of furniture is secure and doesn’t have loose or damaged legs. Look for filth and cobwebs, and if cleaning is required, use a safe cleaning product. Make sure to adhere to all product directions and avoid any threats to your health or safety. If removing any trash or debris from your common spaces is necessary, put on safety gear and dispose of any rubbish correctly. If you aren’t already maintaining the cleanliness of the common areas, it can make a significant impact; most property management businesses employ cleaners to do so.
12. Pipes and Gutters
Verify that your gutters are free of debris and are not leaking. As soon as you can, have them repaired if they are leaking. At least once a year, you might wish to engage someone to perform a thorough exterior examination; this person should look for any cracks or holes in the façade and perform a sewer camera inspection. Make sure any damage is corrected as soon as you notice it.
Regular maintenance should be performed on plumbing systems just before the start of winter or before periods of intense summer use. Check the water lines inside and outside the structure for leaks that might cause excessive water usage and structural damage. Check the water heaters, boilers, and backflow protection devices on both residential and commercial premises. After lubricating the circulation pumps’ bearings, execute control tests to inspect the system.
13. Bins and Recycling Facilities
Ensure that all trash cans are odor-free and clean. Make sure the lids don’t stick and that they are in good shape. Verify that your recycling facilities are tidy, simple to use, and equipped with recycling bins that are properly labeled. Make sure to dispose of any damaged or useless bins right away and check to see if there is a lock on any recycling bins with a lid.
14. Cosmetics
You should also maintain the flooring and the outside and interior paint jobs. Watch for any cracked, chipped, or peeling paint, and fix it as soon as you notice it. Consider purchasing new flooring more regularly if there is a lot of foot activity in your home to safeguard them. Verify that there are no moss, lichen, or algae on the exterior of your property. If left unchecked, they may take root extremely rapidly, so be sure to frequently remove them and employ someone to paint over the impacted areas.
It’s vital for landlords and property managers to keep their properties well-maintained to guarantee their tenants’ safety. A checklist for building maintenance inspections is the most effective approach. Everyone involved must thoroughly comprehend what calls for routine inspection and what may require frequent updating and modification to accomplish this. Building inhabitants should also know the items that should be checked often.
