The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the business landscape in almost every city across the United States. Stores are closing completely or limiting service due to health precautions, which has posed new challenges and solutions for everything from operations to marketing and facility maintenance. One such problem many facilities face is how to maintain a commercial building that is closed due to COVID-19 precautions.
A facility that is not in use is still expensive to maintain. If you neglect landscaping and regular maintenance, you will come back to a decaying storefront that will not be welcoming to customers. As the facility manager, you will need to balance your maintenance expenses with cost-cutting measures to ensure your facility is ready to open when it becomes safe.
One of your top concerns should be landscaping and exterior maintenance. The interior of your facility will be protected, but the outside will become overgrown and damaged easily if no one is there to maintain it. Hire a landscaping company to routinely cut grass, maintain the greenery and flowers, and clean the exterior of the building while you are closed.
You will also need to protect the interior from damages due to pest infestations, water leaks, or weather. These are the most common interior damages during a closure, but can be prevented by routine checkups and pest control services. If a storm occurs, check on your facility to ensure there are no water leaks or interior damages such as broken windows.
In addition, you want to make sure that the building is protected from burglary. You likely already have a security system in place, but don’t neglect it while your facility is closed. The COVID-19 closures have made some vacant buildings more susceptible to burglary, especially if they are in rural areas. Check your security footage often and don’t let your facility seem vulnerable to crime.
Preventative maintenance is recommended for all commercial facilities, whether they are open or closed during COVID-19. Keeping watch of your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems will ensure that when it’s time to open to full capacity, your store will be ready. No matter the circumstances, these areas of preventative maintenance should be continued.
MaintenX offers affordable maintenance services for businesses during COVID-19. We understand you’re under hard financial times, and want to do everything possible to keep your business afloat. MaintenX offers self-performing preventative maintenance, making it easier for you to get the job done at a price you can afford. To learn more, contact your local MaintenX team today!
