Common Mistakes to Avoid in Commercial Building Maintenance

Commercial buildings require proper and regular maintenance to create a conducive environment, ensure the safety of occupants, and avoid financial losses. However, facility managers and building owners make mistakes that lead to a lack of proper upkeep, necessitating costly repairs and exposing occupants to risks. This article highlights the common mistakes to avoid in commercial building maintenance.

Lack of Regular Inspection

Inspection of a building’s exterior and interior is essential in identifying minor problems that can lead to major ones if left unchecked. Areas prone to inspection include walls, roofs, electrical systems, plumbing, drainage, and lighting. Building owners often postpone or forget to schedule regular inspections, leading to more severe issues that require costly repairs.

Deferred Maintenance

When the management of a commercial building postpones maintenance or repairs that should have been done earlier, it leads to deferred maintenance. The deferred work is often left to accumulate, which means the cost of repair is higher than that of simple maintenance. The delays may also compromise the facilities’ integrity and raise safety and health risks for the occupants.

Poor Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleanliness is essential for any commercial building. Managers must ensure the premises are clean and free from disease-causing germs to create a safe and attractive environment for their occupants. Failure to use appropriate cleaning supplies or tools can lead to the accumulation of dirt, which can cause health risks and damage to property.

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Not Replacing Worn-out Equipment and Fixtures

Failing to replace outdated or faulty facilities can lead to frequent failures and compromise the building’s functionality. Examples include old air conditioners, outdated security systems, lighting fixtures, or carpets. Failure to replace them can make the building unsafe, and the occupants may be at risk of exposure to dangerous conditions.

Failing to Keep Accurate Records

Maintaining an updated record of repairs, maintenance, building plans, and inspection schedules is necessary for effective building management. Accurate records help managers address any problems without delays, prevent legal problems, and create a safe environment for the occupants.

Neglecting the HVAC System

An HVAC system plays a crucial role in any commercial building, especially in regulating the room temperature, air quality, and humidity. Lack of maintenance of the HVAC system can lead to high energy bills, inefficient heating or cooling, or even complete malfunctioning of the system. Timely service and maintenance of the HVAC system prevent any significant problems and prolong its lifespan.

Choosing Cheaper Cleaning Supplies

Choosing cost-effective cleaning supplies can lead to many problems, such as scratches on walls and floors, rusting, and discoloring. Cheap cleaners can also damage existing equipment. Such problems can lead to more significant issues and even lower the building’s value.

Ignoring Water Damage

Ignoring water damage can be hazardous as it promotes the growth of mold or mildew that may be harmful to the occupants’ health. Leakage can also lead to compromise the structural integrity of the building, increasing the cost of repairs.

Not Keeping Up With Code Regulations

Codes and regulations are designed to ensure the premises are safe and comply with environmental restrictions around the building. Non-compliance with code regulations can lead to hefty fines, legal impediments or compromises the entire building’s safety.

Failure to Train Staff

Staff training is necessary when it comes to taking care of the building properly. When the staff is trained, it helps the managers manage the premises, establish a maintenance schedule, and help identify potential problem areas. Training also improves the efficiency of building maintenance and helps avoid risks of injury or damage.

Overlooking Landscaping

Landscaping is usually the first impression that customers and employees have about a building. Overlooking the landscaping can give the building an unsightly appearance and may even damage the exterior facilities. Managers should allocate budget and time for landscaping activities such as trimming the lawns, pruning trees and shrubs, and cleaning flower beds.

Inadequate Security Measures

Security is crucial in any commercial building, and failing to install adequate measures can cause harm to the occupants and properties. Installing access control systems, surveillance cameras, and bright lighting can assist in promoting security in the building.

Not Checking For Pest Infestation

Pests such as rodents, termites, and roaches can cause significant damage to the building’s structure and even lead to the spread of diseases. Regular checks on pests and taking simple preventive measures such as sealing cracks and disposing of food waste can help prevent infestation.

Failing to Optimize Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is essential to any commercial building as it helps lower energy bills and promotes environmental conservation. Neglecting energy optimization can increase expenses and even lead to wasting of resources such as water and electricity.

Skipping Preventive Maintenance Schedules

Preventive maintenance is necessary for any commercial building as it helps identify potential problems and thus avoids costly repairs. Skipping preventive maintenance may escalate the impact of simple problems, resulting in more significant issues and increased repair costs.

Avoiding these mistakes are crucial since it may lead to adverse impacts on the building, its occupants and lead to financial losses. Common implications of such mistakes include increased operation expenses, equipment damage or failure, fines, and legal implications.

To read more about this topic, check out previous blog post at How to Budget for Commercial Building Maintenance and Repairs

For more general information on building then please visit: https://www.building.vic.gov.au/

Good commercial building maintenance is essential in creating a conducive environment and promoting safety to the occupants. This article has highlighted common mistakes to avoid in commercial building maintenance and their impacts. Facility managers and building owners should avoid these mistakes and implement best practices, including regular inspection, cleaning, and security measures.