Planning for the financial and operational future of your commercial property can be time-consuming and tedious, however, it will save you time, money and stress in the long term. That's where our perfect preventive maintenance checklist for commercial properties comes in handy.
One of the best ways to avoid any unexpected and costly repairs to your property, while also improving its attractiveness for potential tenants, students or patients, is to conduct regular preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance protects your assets, increases the longevity of your buildings, improves safety and protects your cash flow.
This preventive maintenance checklist will ensure you cover all your bases:
Garden areas
Start your preventive maintenance checklist by working from the outside in. Inspect your property’s garden and perimeters for any hazardous or damaged materials and determine what needs attention. Some of the most important checks to do are:
- Test the water drainage system and ensure that it is working properly
- Inspect the condition of the gutters and check for any breakages
- Look at the integrity of fences, walls and other boundaries on the property
- Look for any signs of a possible insect or rodent infestation
Exterior property
A building is only as safe as the shell protecting it. Ensuring that the external materials of a property are intact can prevent any damage from spreading to the interior. Determine what exterior structural elements require attention by ensuring the following items on your building maintenance checklist are covered:
- Inspect all air vents, plumbing pipes and fixtures
- Check that there are no cracks in the roof tiles
- Look for any cracks in the walls
- Determine what condition the paint is in - is it peeling, discoloured or mouldy?
- Inspect windows, doors and frames
Interior structure
If the exterior of the building is in good condition, the chances of natural elements causing damage to the interior are greatly minimised. However, factors such as time or wear and tear can still impact the structural integrity of the interior property. When completing your preventive maintenance checklist, make sure to:
- Check for any signs of water damage on the ceilings and walls
- Inspect bathrooms and kitchens for mould
- Ensure that all locks, hinges and handles to doors and windows are in working order
- Look at the condition of the paint
- Inspect all walls for any cracks that might need to be filled
Plumbing and fixtures
Water leakages don’t only disrupt the supply of water, but can also cause serious damage to the interior structure of a property, as well as furniture and appliances. Repairing water damage is a costly affair, but it can be avoided by thoroughly inspecting the plumbing throughout your property on a regular basis. These are all crucial preventive maintenance tasks for your checklist:
- Ensure that all water connections, pipes and hoses are connected and working properly
- Check the toilet water supply and flushing mechanism
- Inspect sinks, showers, bathtubs and basins for any cracks or signs of damage
- Ensure that the hot water system and overflow are working correctly
- Inspect the drainage on both the kitchen and bathroom drainage systems to ensure there aren’t any blockages
Electrical equipment
Electrical faults are incredibly dangerous if left unattended or not repaired properly. Ensuring that regular inspection and testing is carried out on all electrical equipment in your commercial building increases the safety of all occupants, while also meeting some of your legal health and safety obligations. When it comes to electrical integrity, these are essential items to add to your preventive maintenance checklist:
- Inspect all electrical cords for any damage or wear and tear
- Ensure all electrical test tags are up to date
- Test power circuit breakers to ensure they are in a working condition
- Inspect all electrical plugs
- Look at all the light switches and ensure that they all working properly
- Ensure that all smoke alarms are connected and working
A preventive maintenance checklist is the first step to taking control of your property's maintenance schedule. If you're looking for long-term preventative maintenance, Higgins will deliver a cost-effective solution tailored to your budget and property. Request a free paint condition assessment to get started today.
Higgins Coatings is Australia's premier commercial painting contractor with over 70 years of experience in providing cost-effective painting and tailored maintenance solutions to a broad range of industries including hospitals, aged care, schools, and strata. If you need quality painting services delivered on time and within budget, contact us today.
Originally published on December 23, 2015. Last updated on December 18, 2020.