One of the best financial decisions a business can make is regular property maintenance. You may not realize it yet, but faulty or old equipment in your establishment can actually increase your monthly expenses. What’s worse is that neglecting these property checks can cause further damage that will be worth a lot more later.
If you want to prevent hidden expenses from accumulating, make sure you do these necessary property checks every year.
Equipment cleaning
Floors and tables aren’t the only things that need to be cleaned in a commercial property. Although you don’t notice it, all your uncleaned HVAC systems are costing you a lot of money. Part of your maintenance should include cleaning the dryer vent and replacing filters in your systems. The Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 40 percent of energy is wasted every year in heating and cooling systems.
If they aren’t properly cleaned, their performance is affected. What happens is that the dirt is disrupting its functions, and as a result, it will need to work more to meet the expected output. The result is higher energy costs that can easily add up if you operate daily. The best practice is to have it cleaned, or at least inspected by a professional, every year. Unlike homes that can have maintenance done every few years, businesses use their systems more frequently and need more monitoring.
Pest control
Pests are often the result of dirty properties, but they can actually occur even if a property is clean and maintained. Insects such as termites and mosquitoes are seasonal, so there are seasons where they are more active and reproduce more. Oftentimes, they end up in properties because they are looking for a new place to nest. Some like bed bugs enter properties through guests who visit.
Economics experts predicted that businesses lost $6.8 billion in pest infestations in 2014. They may be pests, but they can actually cause you thousands of dollars worth of damage when neglected. For instance, termites can destroy a house in just two years if their numbers are large enough. This is why businesses need to take inspections seriously before any serious damage occurs.
Plumbing checks
Depending on the type of business, your pipes have likely been working a lot before the pandemic. Over time, the pipes can become clogged or start leaking. This causes damage that can later turn into something worse if left unchecked. Commercial establishments, especially those that regularly use their water systems like hotels and restaurants, should have plumbing inspections to see if anything needs to be repaired.
When pipes are damaged, this can damage the rest of your property. You can get stained walls and a mold. This will then damage the foundation and turn your business into a health risk. With leaks, you can end up with flooding and overflowing toilets.
Exterior inspections
More than just curb appeal, exterior maintenance is important to reduce accidents to potential customers and clients. There are several things to look out for. Make sure that there are no loose hinges on doors or cracks in the window. You should also check if the coating on the walls is not peeling off to prevent moisture from coming in.
Another thing to regularly check is the roofs and drainage, especially after a storm. Dirt and debris can accumulate, causing damage to roofs and gutters. The added weight of the debris will weigh it down and weaken its foundation. During winter, watch out for icicles forming as well. Ice dams and snow can cause leaks on your roof when it melts.
With these ideas in mind, you can ensure that you will maintain your commercial property without missing anything significant.