Look, I’ve been in the building maintenance game for longer than I’d care to admit. And if there’s one thing that drives me absolutely crazy, it’s when people think building maintenance is just… fixing things when they break.
Nope. Not even close.
## **The Real Deal About Building Maintenance**
Let me break it down for you. Building maintenance is like taking care of your car — except way more complicated and about a thousand times more important. You wouldn’t just wait for your engine to blow up before changing the oil, right? Same thing here.
When I work with companies like Asset Centre, I see the whole spectrum of what proper maintenance actually means. And trust me, it’s a lot.
## **Preventative Maintenance (The Smart Stuff)**
This is where the magic happens. Seriously.
**HVAC Systems**
– Regular filter changes (monthly, not when you remember)
– Cleaning coils and checking refrigerant
– Belt inspections before they snap and ruin everyone’s day
**Plumbing**
– Checking for those sneaky leaks that’ll cost you thousands later
– Water pressure tests
– Drain cleaning (because nobody wants *that* phone call)
**Electrical Systems**
– Testing safety switches
– Checking for hot spots with thermal imaging
– Making sure your building won’t, you know, catch fire
The thing is… most people skip this stuff. Then they wonder why they’re paying emergency rates at 2am on a Sunday.
## **Reactive Maintenance (When Things Go Wrong)**
Okay, even with the best preventative program, stuff breaks. It happens.
This includes:
– Emergency repairs (burst pipes, power outages, the fun stuff)
– Equipment breakdowns
– Weather damage repairs
– Those “how did that even happen?” moments
But here’s the kicker — if you’re doing preventative maintenance right, these emergencies drop by like 70%. I’ve seen it happen over and over.
## **The Stuff People Forget About**
**Compliance and Safety Checks**
This isn’t optional, folks. Fire safety systems, emergency lighting, exit signs… the government doesn’t mess around with this stuff. Neither should you.
**Cosmetic Maintenance**
– Painting (interior and exterior)
– Carpet cleaning and replacement
– Window cleaning
– Pressure washing
Your building’s appearance matters. A lot. First impressions and all that.
**Grounds and External Areas**
– Roof and gutter cleaning (please, for the love of god, clean your gutters)
– Parking lot maintenance
– Landscaping upkeep
– External lighting
## **The Tech Side (Welcome to 2024)**
Modern building maintenance isn’t just about wrenches and hammers anymore.
– **Building automation systems** that tell you something’s wrong before it breaks
– **Energy management** to stop bleeding money on utilities
– **Digital maintenance logs** (goodbye, clipboard)
– **Predictive maintenance tech** that’s basically crystal ball stuff
## **Why This Matters More Than You Think**
Here’s what happens when you cheap out on maintenance:
1. Small problems become massive headaches
2. Your energy bills go through the roof
3. Tenants get angry. Really angry.
4. Property values tank
5. You end up spending 3x more on emergency repairs
I’ve seen buildings that look 20 years old after just 5 years. I’ve also seen 30-year-old buildings that look brand new. The difference? Proper maintenance.
## **The Bottom Line**
Building maintenance isn’t just about fixing broken stuff. It’s about:
– Protecting your investment
– Keeping people safe and happy
– Saving money in the long run
– Staying compliant with regulations
– Making your building actually work for you
Find yourself a good maintenance partner (like the folks at Asset Centre who actually know what they’re doing). Set up a proper maintenance schedule. Stick to it.
Your future self will thank you. Your accountant will thank you. Heck, even your tenants might thank you.
And that’s saying something.
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*Need help getting your building maintenance sorted? Give the team at Asset Centre a call. They actually answer their phones, which is more than I can say for most companies these days.*
