It’s time to start planning your commercial facility’s fall preparations as the weather decreases. Even though maintaining a structure is a never-ending effort, neglecting it can result in expensive repairs very fast, particularly in the cooler months when you spend less time on exterior maintenance. Here is a compilation of things to do to prepare your building for fall, inside and out.
1. Schedule a maintenance visit for your HVAC system
As part of your fall seasonal tune-up, your technician will replace air filters, clean and examine heating components, and calibrate your thermostat. Additionally, it would be best if you asked them to winterize your system’s cooling components, which include cleaning the coils, replacing the refrigerant, and draining the drain lines to prevent mold growth. Additionally, this is a beautiful time of year to get your ducts cleaned to eliminate mold, pollen, dust, and other contaminants that can reduce the air quality inside your home.
2. Pressure washing the outside
You won’t be pressure washing when it’s snowing. However, the fall is a great time to have your walkways, parking lot, and building exteriors pressure-washed professionally if they need to be cleaned up.
3. Wash your windows
If you still need to do so, the optimum seasons to clean your windows are in the fall and spring.
4. Get the Sprinkler System Ready for the Winter
You must winterize your sprinkler system if the grass surrounding your business falls dormant in the winter to stop pipes from freezing. In addition, watering plans may need to be altered for shorter days and cooler temperatures in locations with year-round landscaping.
5. Prepare for snow removal
If you have a snow removal contract, prepare your parking lot and walkways before the first snow or ice storm. To help plows navigate, mark parking lots, entrances, and streets with stakes. Fill any fractures in your parking lot or pathways to stop frozen water from getting in and creating more damage.
6. Schedule a plumbing inspection
In the cold, leaks, blockages, poor water pressure, and exposed pipes can all be issues. So, before the first freeze, check the plumbing to ensure everything is in working order.
7. Schedule landscaping services
Even if you already have a regular program for landscape maintenance, consider including leaf removal and flower bed rotation for cool-weather plants.
8. Consider the Outdoor Lighting
Many staff and customers exit your building at night throughout the winter. All parking lots, garages, walkways, and external lights should be inspected and replaced.
9. Inspect your roof
Schedule a roof check before snow and ice cover to fix any leaks or damage. Flat roofs should be cleared of any leaves or debris and if necessary, pressure washed.
10. Examine window and door seals
Doors and windows that draft cause energy loss. Checking and caulking or replacing seals and weather stripping as necessary.
11. Schedule a locksmith inspection
With the assistance of your professional locksmith, examine all actual locks, hardware, exit bars, and other locking components. Have your locksmith test all access parts, update the software, and calibrate any biometric devices as necessary if you utilize digital locks.
12. Look for pests
Animals seek shelter indoors as the temperature decreases. Hire a pest control company to check your facility’s interior for pests after you evaluate the exterior and seal any entry points.
Now is a beautiful opportunity to learn how CloudApper Facility Solutions may help if you’re overburdened with maintenance tasks to prepare your facility for the fall. You may avoid the burden of unplanned downtime and free up your staff’s time for more valuable activities when you work with CloudApper Facilities for your facilities management requirements.
