Preventative maintenance can make a dramatic difference in the productivity of your facility. Are you doing all you can?
It looked like a scene from a post-apocalyptic thriller.
Frantic people, water streaming down a stairwell, hallways pooling with dirty water. Somewhere in the distance, a child’s wail pierced the air. Determined to get to the root of the problem, you dash to the source –a broken water pipe spewing gray water from all directions.
Facility equipment – from boilers to toilets – require constant attention.
Preventative upkeep prevents maintenance emergencies and costs less than traditional as-needed maintenance. Adding to the savings, there’s no productivity lost due to disabled equipment.
There are a few critical areas to maintain for ultimate efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Outdoors:
- Trim trees and plants away from buildings and power lines to avoid outages and building damage.
- Check the irrigation system to prevent water waste and over/under watered areas.
Bathroom/Plumbing:
- Check caulking to prevent leaks.
- Use drain cleaning solution to avoid clogs.
- Annually inspect pipes for leaks or signs of wear.
- Lubricate exposed pumps yearly.
Roof:
- Check for water damage, missing shingles and mold.
- Check gutters for buildup.
- Inspect at least twice a year – and after severe weather incidents.
- Perform a moisture survey every 5 years.
HVAC/Boilers/Chillers:
- Inspect frequently for leaks
- Be aware of odd sounds
- Check meters, valves, and joints regularly
- Inspect for obstructions
- Inspect the entire system every six months
- Clean and replace air-handling unit filters quarterly.
What secrets have you discovered to preventative maintenance?
What would you add to this list?
Often, preventative maintenance is discouraged due to the upfront time and cost. However, preventative maintenance is an ideal long-range plan to avoid the headaches of repairs, downtime, and cleanup in your facility.