Autumn is in full swing, which means it’s time to revisit your maintenance plan. As opposed to summer, fall poses several challenges to facility managers — from rising heating costs to increased landscaping needs and much more. If you want to be prepared for the change of seasons, follow these four maintenance tips from your local MaintenX team.
Hurricane season isn’t over yet, so be prepared.
If you live on the East Coast or near the Gulf of Mexico, hurricane season is still an issue for you until late November. Many facility managers don’t fret over hurricanes after the summer, but the risks are still there. Be sure to invest in proper backup generator equipment, and have an emergency maintenance staff on call in case of major facility damage.
Schedule an HVAC check-up to ensure your heater is ready for winter.
Fall is the perfect time to ensure your heating system is up to date and won’t cause problems when the first cold front hits. If you live in a warmer climate, you likely don’t use your heater except for two or three months out of the year. But, during those months you want an efficient and high-performance heater to keep your occupants comfortable.
Prepare for increased outdoor maintenance.
During autumn you will need to prepare for several landscaping issues relating to the falling leaves and colder temperatures:
- Leaf debris can cause issues with your gutters and roofing if not removed regularly
- Leaf debris can kill grass, flowers, and other plants in your landscaping
- Pests oftentimes nest in fallen leaves which can bring them into your facility
- If not removed, fallen leaves near buildings can cause rot and mold growth
Therefore, you should start scheduling landscaping services that address these issues. Landscaping companies book quickly in autumn, so the sooner you call the better.
Piping insulation
Pipes can freeze and expand in the winter, causing them to break and create disastrous plumbing issues for your facility. Before it gets too cold, be sure to insulate your piping. This will prevent catastrophic emergency repairs, and ensure better flow of water through your piping. This preventative measure can also provide benefits year-round including piping protection from corrosion and contamination.
When you prepare for fall at your facility, there should be nothing to worry about. For more information on fall maintenance tips and preventative care for your commercial building, contact your local MaintenX team today!
