George stared in horror at the water dripping from the hole in the ceiling where the tiles had fallen away. Water splashed at his feet as he stood in the sanctuary of his precious church. The smell was musty, and he feared that mold might already be forming. Based on the shape and stains on the walls, it appeared as though water was flowing through and collecting behind the panels as well.
Questions were racing through George’s mind: What was causing the water damage? Was it a burst pipe from the freezing temperatures earlier in the week, or was it something else? Who was he going to call about clean-up and repairs? Would this damage be covered by insurance, or was this damage caused by the decision to defer maintenance?The church building is a valuable asset entrusted to our care. Sometimes, however, we may neglect it. When we choose to put off or skip seasonal maintenance, it can become a costly oversight. Overflowing gutters, a balky furnace, or leaky pipes can provoke an expensive emergency call to a service technician. Even worse, if things are neglected too long, the safety of members could be in jeopardy.
The following items are a few seasonal maintenance checks that should be routinely performed. These steps will help you limit or even mitigate service delays, preserve the value of our church buildings, and keep everyone safe.
Winter
With cold temperatures, preventing damage from freezing is a central concern in winter building maintenance.1) Keep pipes insulated.
When outside temperatures dip below freezing, pipes can freeze, which causes water inside the pipes to expand, possibly compromising or even bursting the pipes. This can create further problems, including leaks and water damage.
2) Maintain the roof.
When ice freezes on your roof and prevents melting snow from draining safely, it creates an ice dam. Left untreated, ice dams harm your roof and lead to significant water damage. Take time to inspect your roof, gutters, and shingles for damage to ensure that everything is in good condition, clear of obstructions, and can drain efficiently.
Spring
Commercial springtime maintenance is similar to household spring cleaning: it’s an opportunity to air out the property after being closed up during the winter. Maintenance involves standard clean-up as well as an assessment of the mechanics, especially if the building hasn't been used during the winter.1) Check the exterior.
In addition to the wear and tear caused by aging, winter weather can damage the exterior of a building. Check the outside of your building for signs of damage and deterioration. Pay close attention to the area around the doors, windows, and foundation, including the parking lot.
2) Check the HVAC system.
A lot of air-conditioning systems tend to be neglected. Even if a system produces cool air, that doesn’t mean the air-conditioning is working efficiently. Spring is a good time to change filters and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before summer starts.
Summer
With the warm weather, many of us focus on the outdoors and all that comes with it. However, summer provides one of the best opportunities to take care of indoor maintenance management tasks.1) Remove mold and mildew.
Investigate any odors that may indicate mold, mildew, or other irritants. Some odors may indicate a leak or poor ventilation.
2) Organize fire protection.
Clean fireplaces, inspect smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, and have fire extinguishers inspected.
Fall
As the days shorten, it is the perfect time to ensure all external lights are secure andoperating efficiently. This is just one of many items to check in preparation for cooler weather and shorter days.
1) Schedule grounds maintenance.
When trees start losing their leaves, outdoor paved areas can get a buildup of leaf mold
and algae, which turns into a slip hazard. Ensuring your grounds maintenance program is up to date should prevent any risk.
2) Clean out gutters.
It's important to get gutters clear before the cold weather sets in; otherwise, water may find its way into the property. While a leaf blower should take care of debris, loose gutter and pipe connections should also be checked to ensure the building is functioning safely.
Of course, this isn't an extensive list of all the things that should be monitored. Regular maintenance helps keep your facility in good condition; therefore, having a seasonal maintenance program is a great way to keep track of all the work that has been done.
If you need assistance developing your plan, we have resources on our website. Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) has created more detailed seasonal maintenance forms to help you prepare for the needs of your facility. Each is divided into major categories, allowing you to track progress on these items. Let us be good stewards of the things entrusted to us and preserve them as a responsible measure of minimizing any liabilities.
