10 Warning Signs That Your Building Needs Maintenance Services

When it comes to keeping your commercial property in tip-top shape, maintenance is key. After all, you can have the flashiest new business center or office tower in town, but if it falls apart after just a few months, things won’t last long. Fortunately, routine maintenance services are a simple and cost-effective way to keep your property looking its best and functioning optimally at all times. With proper care and attention, most commercial properties can remain beautiful and useful for many years: studies show that when buildings receive routine maintenance services they tend to last longer, which means lower operational costs and increased value over time. To help you identify whether your facility needs professional maintenance services sooner rather than later, here are 10 warning signs that you should schedule an inspection right away:

HVAC malfunctions frequently

HVAC systems are complex machines that require regular maintenance to keep running smoothly, and when they don’t receive the attention they need, they’re prone to frequent malfunctions. When this happens, it’s not just noisy and inconvenient: there’s also the very real risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. When your HVAC system is malfunctioning, CO levels can skyrocket in just a few minutes, putting you and your employees at risk. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system twice a year. To troubleshoot a faulty HVAC system, you may want to hire a professional maintenance team to perform a thorough inspection. In some cases, they may even be able to fix the issue on the spot and save you the cost of an expensive repair bill.

Stairwells, hallways, and entryways are dirty

If you start seeing dirt and grime accumulate in the stairwells, hallways, and entryways of your commercial property, that may be a sign that your cleaning crew isn’t keeping up with their regular maintenance services. When you contract with a cleaning company, they should offer you a thorough cleaning service that includes things like vacuuming, sweeping, washing floors, and removing cobwebs. If they’ve neglected these crucial maintenance tasks, your property will start to look dirty and unkempt, which can be a major turnoff for customers. To avoid this unpleasant (and costly) scenario, make sure to check your cleaning contract to see what maintenance services they’re responsible for and put pressure on them to follow through.

Electrical equipment is rusty or malfunctioning

Electrical equipment is prone to rust, and rust is prone to short-circuiting. When this happens, it isn’t just an eyesore: it can pose a serious safety hazard to your employees and customers. All electrical equipment, from light fixtures to air conditioners, should be inspected and cleaned regularly to help prevent rust. If a piece of equipment is already showing signs of rust, it should be replaced immediately. Unfortunately, electrical equipment can become faulty at any time, especially if it hasn’t been properly maintained. When this happens, it’s best to call an electrician to come out and assess the situation.

There’s water damage in the building

If you suddenly notice water damage in your building, there’s a good chance that a hidden water leak is responsible. Finding and repairing water leaks as quickly as possible is critical: left untreated, even a small water leak can cause extensive damage to your property over time. To troubleshoot a water leak, you’ll want to start by inspecting your facility’s pipes and faucets. If you notice water damage, you’ll have to call in a professional plumber to find the leak and repair it ASAP to avoid costly damage. If you notice water damage on the walls or ceilings of your building, however, you may want to call a roofing contractor instead. Water leaks are often the first sign of a leaky roof, which can be costly to repair.

Exterior walls show signs of deterioration

The walls of your building are there to protect you and your employees. If you notice signs of deterioration, you may want to call a commercial maintenance service as soon as possible to prevent the situation from getting out of control. When walls show signs of deterioration, they may be unable to properly contain heat, cold, or sound. This can cause your building to become uncomfortable or even unsafe for employees. Exterior walls show signs of deterioration when they start to develop gaps or holes. You may also see faded or discolored paint on your walls or cracks forming in the foundation. To troubleshoot an issue with your exterior walls, you may want to call a commercial maintenance team for an inspection.

Your facility has an outdated feel to it

If your building feels old and outdated, it’s probably not just an aesthetic issue. Neglecting maintenance can lead to serious problems, like chronic water leaks and corroded wiring, that can make your building feel cheap and shoddy. When you plan your commercial property, you should take the time to invest in high-quality materials that will last for years. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan. When you fail to perform regular maintenance on your building, you’re putting your investment at risk. As time goes by, your facility will begin to look and feel worn out: floors will stain, walls will crack, and light fixtures will stop working properly. To prevent your commercial property from feeling outdated, you’ll want to perform regular maintenance and schedule inspections for your entire building.

You’ve received multiple maintenance violations from the city

In addition to being unsightly and uncomfortable, a building that doesn’t receive regular maintenance services may also be in violation of local safety codes. If you’ve received multiple maintenance violations from the city, you may be given a choice between making the necessary repairs or demolishing your building and starting from scratch. When you receive a maintenance violation, it’s a sign that your building isn’t being properly maintained. In some cases, it may be due to an oversight: perhaps you simply forgot to make a maintenance appointment. To troubleshoot, you should start by scheduling an inspection of your building to find out what repairs are needed. You may also want to consider hiring a commercial maintenance team.

Finding an expert can be difficult for repairs or replacements

If you’ve received a maintenance violation and are trying to repair the problem on your own, you may find that you’re in over your head. Some maintenance issues, like fixing a broken light fixture, are easy to fix. Others, like repairing a leaky roof, are complex and difficult to repair without the proper training and tools. In many cases, you may simply be unable to repair the problem on your own. You may want to start by making a list of all the maintenance issues you’ve noticed in your building so far and prioritize them from easiest to most difficult. When you’re doing this, you should also consider what type of maintenance issue you’re dealing with: some maintenance issues are minor and can be fixed yourself, whereas others are best handled by a professional.

Conclusion

When it comes to keeping your commercial property in tip-top shape, maintenance is key. After all, you can have the flashiest new business center or office tower in town, but if it falls apart after just a few months, things won’t last long. Fortunately, routine maintenance services are a simple and cost-effective way to keep your property looking its best and functioning optimally at all times. To help you identify whether your facility needs professional maintenance services sooner rather than later, here are 10 warning signs that you should schedule an inspection right away: HVAC malfunctions frequently, stairwells, hallways, and entryways are dirty, electrical equipment is rusty or malfunctioning, there’s water damage in the building, exterior walls show signs of deterioration, your facility has an outdated feel to it, you’ve received multiple maintenance violations from the city, finding an expert can be difficult for repairs or replacements.