The exterior of your building is the first thing people see. While you've heard the adage about not judging a book by its cover, that's exactly what people do. A building that is showing signs of disrepair or lack of maintenance may put people off. Overgrown landscaping or walkways, peeling paint, or a crumbling facade are all preventable signs of wear and tear. However, a clean, neat appearance goes a long way when making that all-important first impression—and regularly maintaining exterior building components is a big part of that.
The problem is that many businesses don't have the personnel available to provide the level of maintenance needed to keep the exterior of the building well-kept. Budget and time constraints are other common challenges facing business owners or managers.
When buildings go too long without maintenance, problems become worse, leading to poor appearance, safety issues, and expensive repairs. For example, a neglected roof can cause major damage to the building in the form of preventable leaks. Replacing a roof also costs far more than a simple repair.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep the building looking good. Professionals can also identify minor problems that could become major problems if they aren't addressed. Fortunately, regular maintenance helps reduce expensive repairs. With the right maintenance contract, you can save your organisation money. The following section provides actionable tips to help you improve the appearance of your building's exterior while keeping in mind budget and time constraints.
Regular building inspection
The first step to maintaining exterior building components is a thorough inspection. This inspection should include the roof, walls, windows, and doors:
- Check for plants, roots or other growth on the roof, in the walls, along the foundation, etc.
- Inspect the condition of the paint and walls. Check for cracks, mould, chipping paint, water damage, etc.
- Check all windows, doors, exterior stairways, and railings.
- Inspect the gutters and downspouts.
- Examine the roof for leaks or other damage.
- Check the fencing to make sure it is in good repair.
- Check trash enclosures.
- Regularly check signage, walkways, and exterior lighting.
Regular inspections and maintenance of the above exterior components will help prevent deterioration and damage. Ultimately, it keeps the exterior looking good. Roofs, gutters, and downspouts should be inspected each fall. You should inspect roofs yearly and after major weather events to check for damage. Windows, doors, railings, paint, and fencing should be inspected at least annually, if not more often.
Preventative maintenance identifies potential problems and addresses existing problems. When carried out diligently, preventative maintenance saves countless dollars in yearly repairs and the replacement of exterior components.
Repairing and replacing damaged components
Properly maintaining exterior building components extends the lifespan of those exterior elements, such as roofs. Inevitably, some things will need either repair or replacement over time. During the course of an inspection, the maintenance team will take note of components that are damaged. Then, the professionals will assess the next steps. In some cases, it is more cost-effective to replace parts.
These are all things that can prevent further damage later on:
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Replacing old gutters
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Repainting surfaces that have become chipped, cracked, or worn
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Swapping out windows
There is a difference between maintenance work and repair work. For example, applying sealant to prevent water damage is maintenance, as is clearing gutters of debris, power washing, lubricating hinges, etc. When exterior features are damaged due to water, breakage, or failure, then it has moved from maintenance to repair and replacement.
Cleaning and maintaining exterior building components
Some of the most important maintenance checks your team can perform are on drainage systems, gutters, downspouts, etc. Failure to properly maintain these systems can result in water damage, mould, indoor air pollution, and structural damage. These tasks must be part of routine maintenance:
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Flushing out drainage systems periodically
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Removing debris from gutters and downspouts
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Clearing away foliage from roofs and drainage systems
Protecting the building from weather elements
Water damage is at the top of the list when it comes to preventable exterior damage that quickly becomes interior damage. Regular inspections for leaks, cracks, or any damaged areas that water can infiltrate are vital to protecting your building.
Choosing appropriate paints and sealants is important. To start, determine if you are simply looking for a surface sealer or a crack or gap sealer. Products made from silicone, polyurethane, and other compounds are used to seal up cracks, protect surfaces, seal windows and doors, and fill in gaps between exterior surfaces and machinery.
Wind and rain can wreak havoc with your building exterior, but heat and sun shouldn't be underestimated. Sunlight causes dryness, fades paint, causes UV damage, and can shrink and warp roofing, fencing, and other components.
Professional maintenance and restoration services
A professional maintenance and restoration team can perform regular, comprehensive maintenance inspections and services to keep your building exterior in top shape. By contracting with an outside maintenance service, you don't have to worry about employing a full-time maintenance staff. Instead, you can outsource the services you need. First Response Maintenance Solutions offers the comprehensive maintenance services you need to keep your building exterior looking good for years to come. Contact First Response Maintenance Solutions to learn more today.