Mould
Mould and mildew thrive on surfaces with high levels of moisture and in rooms that don’t see a lot of sun. Over and above being unpleasant to the eye, this fungus is a health hazard that can harm a learner’s airways and cause chronic breathing problems if exposure is prolonged.
Ventilation and mould-resistant paints and primers are your best solutions for mould prevention. Installing extractor fans, avoiding cheaper tradeline paints, and using products containing mildewcide will give school surfaces the best chance against these nasty-looking growths.
For expert insights on what school maintenance programs are and whether you should outsource or insource your maintenance needs, read our quick guide to school maintenance programs here.
Rising damp
Rising damp occurs when moisture build-up — either underneath or adjacent to your walls — travels upwards through the masonry. It’s especially prevalent in older schools as they usually lack the requisite damp proofing, but can also occur where measures have been installed incorrectly, or excluded altogether in modern buildings.
Unfortunately, there’s no quick-fix solution and seeking out specialist advice is the best way forward. Treatment for rising damp can range from fixing existing damp proofing, to excavating and installing new damp-prevention measures.
Lighting
Often taken for granted until there’s a flicker or an outage, lighting plays a vital role in any school. It’s also one of the most notable problem areas when it comes to maintenance. Old fixtures and wiring, coupled with out-of-date bulbs, can cause more problems than they’re good for. Bad lighting detrimental to the learning experience, plus it’s a safety hazard — especially on a stormy, overcast day.
Currently, we’re seeing a drive to install energy-efficient LED lighting. Not only is LED lighting sustainable and cost-effective, it can minimise shadows and eliminate the glare of older lighting setups, making for a better educational experience overall.
Graffiti
With costs surpassing $1.5 billion in Australia annually (according to a now-removed blog post on the Crime Stoppers website), ragged scrawls and tags are a constant, unsightly problem for school building surfaces. What’s more, it can make a school look shabby and even hazardous to both current and prospective parents. Generally, vandalism begets vandalism, giving would-be ‘anarchists’ license to add to the mess.
This means quick, decisive action is crucial to stem the spray. You can remove graffiti with mineral spirits like WD40, mild chemical abrasives or products specifically developed for graffiti removal. To mitigate future attacks, treating the affected surface with a clear anti-graffiti glaze makes subsequent removal methods — such as power washing — much easier.
Plumbing leaks and blockages
These issues can be caused by a number of factors, including old piping, normal wear-and-tear, and minor vandalism such as kids stuffing toilets to the brim with foreign materials.
Again, quick action is necessary to ensure blockages or leakages don’t cause further damage. After a plumber or maintenance specialist has seen to the offending problem, it’s a good idea to install preventative measures so that the blockage or leakage doesn’t become a recurring nuisance. Hiding existing piping and flushing mechanisms can aid in the prevention of blockages, while installing new washers on taps can avoid further leaks.
Shoddy workmanship from previous builders
Even the most meticulous of school building and painting maintenance plans can come unstuck if past workmanship is poor. Problems such as blistering, chalking, peeling and cracking paint are all symptoms of incorrect techniques being used. These range from bad surface preparation, thinned paint, or applying another coat before the previous one has had a chance to dry.
When it comes to the building side of things, ground staff often have to find band-aid solutions for repairs out of necessity during the school term. By not addressing the root problems right away, these issues can very easily worsen and result in higher costs and greater damage.
To avoid this, managers should seek advice from colleagues and research companies with a proven track record of delivering high quality work.
Find a builder who does it all
One of the greatest burdens on a manager is having to draft a school building and painting maintenance plan that pulls all of the necessary threads together. It’s incredibly difficult to find trustworthy, experienced specialists across the required fields, let alone form lasting relationships with all of them. This is why it’s vital to choose a company that does it all, on a long-term basis.
First Response Maintenance Solutions is a fully licensed, cost-effective, all-in-one painting and maintenance company operating in Queensland and New South Wales. We handle contractors, quotes and workforce management — so school business managers don't have to. For more information on our school maintenance services, download our guide What Goes Into School Painting, Building Maintenance and Refurbishment?
If you’d prefer to get straight into it, schedule a site assessment with one of our specialists here.