February 15, 2022

Awesome Facility Management Tips to Prepare Your Property for Spring

It’s time to start thinking about spring with these facility management tips. Commercial property owners have a lot to think about, so we’ve tried to gather a few facility management tips for you as you begin to prepare for another season change.

Medium-sized commercial building surrounded by a large amount of landscaping plants and rocks that could use good facility management tips

Inspect Roofing and Flashing

With the onset of spring and warmer temperatures, it’s a great time to get out and inspect your commercial buildings. It is particularly important to have a qualified roofing contractor or property manager closely inspect the roofing on your commercial buildings. Were any shingles damaged during the Winter season? Do you see any sign of wear-and-tear beyond normal? If any of your tenants reported leaks, even if your team fixed them, have those areas closely inspected to prevent further issues. As many of you know, it’s far cheaper to perform preventative roofing maintenance than extensive repairs.

Spring is a critical time for these facility management tips. It's important to inspect your roof for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months due to extreme weather conditions such as ice, snow, hail, and wind. To ensure your roof is ready for warm summer days ahead, here are some steps you can take to inspect it:

1. Check for visible damage: Look around the perimeter of your roof and in shaded areas where moss or algae might be growing – these are signs that water may not be draining properly from the roof surface. Also look for cracks, missing shingles, or other signs of wear and tear.

2. Inspect flashing and seals: Make sure all the metal trim pieces around edges and joints are securely fastened, and that any sealants used for caulking or roof repairs are still in good condition.

3. Check the drainage system: Make sure all gutters and downspouts are free of debris so water can flow freely from the edges of your roof and away from your home.

By performing a thorough inspection of your roof each spring, you can keep it in top shape for years to come – saving you time, money, and headaches down the road! With proper care and maintenance, your facility management will stay strong during all seasons.

Inspect Pavement, Sidewalks and Parking Areas

Spring is a busy time for facility management professionals. The first step in preparing your facility for the warmer months is to inspect the pavement and sidewalks of any property you’re responsible for. This includes checking for cracks, bumps, and other signs of disrepair that might pose safety risks or be costly to repair later.

To begin inspecting your pavement and sidewalks, start by doing a visual examination. Look carefully for any cracks or crumbling areas that may need repairing before they become bigger problems. Make sure to look at both horizontal and vertical surfaces and all around edges as well as in-between brickwork or cobblestone pavers if applicable. Additionally, take note of how even the surface is overall – any uneven parts can also potentially cause safety issues.

After doing a visual inspection, it can be helpful to walk the pavement and sidewalks to get an idea of how it feels. Make sure to pay attention to any areas that are particularly bumpy or uneven, as these may need more care and repair than other spots. It’s also important to note if there is standing water in any area – this could indicate drainage issues or other problems such as broken pipes.

When inspecting your pavement and sidewalks for facility management purposes, be sure to take notes on all of your findings. This information will help you determine what needs repair and provide useful data for budgeting future projects. Taking the time to assess the condition of your property before spring begins is essential for maintaining safe and healthy outdoor facilities.

By following these steps, you can inspect your pavement and sidewalks for spring facility management with ease! With the right knowledge and preparation, you can ensure that your facility is ready to take on the warmer months.

Check out the ADA compliance for more parking area info and facility management tips.

Cooling System Facility Management Tips

Inspecting the cooling system of a facility is an important facility management tip. It is essential to ensure that the cooling system is working properly and efficiently in order to protect the building from extreme temperatures, conserve energy, and prevent costly repairs or maintenance. Here are some facility management tips for inspecting your cooling system in preparation for spring:

1. Check airflow – Make sure all supply registers throughout the facility are open and clean. Inspect ducts for any damage or blockages that could impact air flow.

2. Clean evaporator coils – Evaporator coils need to be kept clean in order to function properly. Be sure to inspect them for dirt and debris build-up, then thoroughly clean them using a coil cleaner or brush.

3. Change air filters – Air filters are an important part of keeping the cooling system running efficiently. Inspect and replace air filters as needed to maintain proper airflow and prevent damaging the system.

4. Check refrigerant levels – Low refrigerant can cause significant damage to your cooling system, so it's important to make sure that refrigerant levels are at the correct level for optimal performance.

By following these facility management tips, you'll be able to ensure that your facility's cooling system is properly inspected and functioning optimally in preparation for spring. Taking the time to inspect your cooling system now can save you from costly repairs or maintenance later on down the road.

Outdoor Irrigation Systems

Here's one of our great facility management tips: during winter, we highly recommend winterizing your outdoor irrigation systems and sprinklers. Take the time to remove any winterization prep and test each and every nozzle. Ensure that there are no leaks or issues from freezing temperatures. Replace anything as necessary. Taking care of your sprinkler systems can help prevent over-watering and huge water bills this spring.

To start, check the sprinkler heads and valves to make sure they are all functioning properly and that no debris or obstructions have built up over the winter months. You should also look for any signs of wear or damage that need to be repaired or replaced. Additionally, inspect the controller and pipes for leaks, cracks, or other issues that could lead to a decrease in efficiency of the system. Which is just one of the essential facility management tips.

Finally, test each zone in turn by manually setting each one on and off to ensure all sprinkler heads are working correctly. Once all these steps have been completed, your outdoor irrigation system should be ready for the spring season. With proper facility management tips and maintenance, you can keep your outdoor irrigation system operating efficiently throughout the year.

As always, Rubicon offers turn-key facility management support if you need it. Whether you just need someone to help with your season transition once, or you’re looking for something longer-term, give Rubicon a call if you need us.

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