Commercial Property Maintenance Tips for Summer

Written by Posted On Monday, 31 July 2017 11:05

All commercial property owners and managers know how important it is to maintain their properties. It’s important for tenant safety and comfort. It’s important to keeping everything in working order. It’s important for obtaining new tenants and keeping old ones. Properties that aren’t well maintained will end up needing maintenance eventually, at greater cost and a bigger expenditure of time and effort.  

It’s a good idea to keep in mind regular maintenance that should be done in the summer. Here are nine tips for maintenance tasks that make sense now.

  1. Inspect the Mechanical Systems

Summer is prime time to inspect the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, the electrical systems and water pipes. There’s no snow or ice, so the maintenance folks will find everything clear and easy to access. Any repair jobs that need to be done won’t be interrupted by inclement weather. It’s best to do this in early or late summer. Why? Because if the AC needs to be down for a repair, you won’t be leaving tenants in sweltering heat.

  1. Clean Gutters and Spouts

Winter storms can leave debris and dirt in gutters and spouts. Leaves, pine and fir needles, and detritus from storms and animals can also wear down gutters and spouts and clog them. Since they’re part of storm drainage, it’s important to keep them as clean and clear as possible. Summer is the best time to give them a thorough cleaning.

paint colors

  1. Paint

It’s a good idea to regularly inspect all exteriors for signs of wear and tear. Nothing will make a commercial property look more run down than shabby paint. You want to repaint before it’s anywhere near shabby. Summer is the best time to paint, as good weather is the friend of painters. Be sure to engage painters early so all the exteriors can be done.

  1. Inspect the Roof

Roofs need inspection twice a year. The summer inspection should look for signs of wear and tear. Are shingles broken or damaged? Do you see rust? Are there any other signs of damage? Have squirrels, chipmunks, birds or other small animals made their homes on the roof? If so, not only do the signs of habitation have to be removed, but you also need to take steps to make sure they don’t come back. Birds can leave droppings and nests that are unsanitary and make roofs look unsightly. One option is to install physical deterrents, like bird repellent spikes, to keep feathered non-friends away.

  1. Prune Trees

Trees allowed to grow unpruned can look poorly maintained. Not only that, but they can also do damage. They can grow over electrical wires, spread into outside AC equipment and even into adjacent property, causing disputes with other managers and owners. The solution is to keep trees pruned regularly. Pruning should take place throughout the property on a steady basis, but as trees are in full leaf during summer, that’s the best time.

  1. Spruce up All Plantings

If your property has plantings, whether shrubs or flowerbeds, be sure to spruce them up during the summer. Maintain them. Deadhead, prune and pluck. If you need some new plantings or feel different colors would attract tenant interest, summer is peak planting time. Do you want to put in some less water-intensive groundcover? Now’s the time.

outside of business

  1. Inspect All Surfaces

Take the time to inspect all surfaces during the summer. If your property has patios or decks, for example, look for signs of cracks or discoloration. Both need repair, or are signs the patio or deck may need to be replaced in the future. Look at foundations and basements for signs of damage and cracks. There is no substitute for a good, thorough going-over with experienced eyeballs! A lot of long-term repair can be avoided with frequent inspection. Summer is the optimal time, as nothing is covered by snow or ice.

  1. Clean Common Areas and Walkways

Common areas and walkways need frequent cleaning. Power washing walkways and cleaning common areas is important in all seasons, but it may be neglected in summer because, after all, you're not cleaning up the aftermath of snow and ice. It’s important in summer as well, though. Rain and thunderstorms leave dust and debris, and so does daily living activities of tenants.

  1. Inspect for Pests

Pests can be a huge problem in any commercial building. Rodents, termites, roaches, silverfish and more can cause serious damage to property, including structural damage. Don’t think good maintenance alone protects you. It can do a lot, but pests will come into any building if they have entry points and a place to live. They exist in almost every building. Either inspect yourself or hire a professional service.

Summer is a great time to maintain commercial properties because good weather results in clear visibility and plenty of access for any repair people who might have to call. These nine tips will ensure your property is in great condition to attract and keep commercial tenants.

 

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Megan Wild

Hey there! I'm Megan, I'm a home improvement writer, blogger, and real estate investor and observer. Check out my posts for housing trends and latest happenings in U.S. and Pennsylvania!

www.yourwildhome.com

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