Author: Nestor Santtia
Title: Building Maintenance Routines That Will Save You Money

Article: With so many systems to concern yourself with, it is hard to imagine how you can stay on top of it all.

But if you take some time to develop a thorough maintenance schedule for the major systems in your building, you will avoid unnecessary repairs, reduce maintenance and replacement costs, and save time and money.

Efficient irrigation

Leaks can occur at almost any point in your irrigation system and can often be silent sources of water waste until other problems crop up (such as building infiltration and poor drainage).

To avoid this unnecessary waste, establish a regular irrigation maintenance schedule, conducted on a monthly basis that includes:

Check for leaks:
Inspect emitters, sprinklers, and water lines and look for wet spots in the landscape.
Clean the system:
If you notice clogged tubing, emitters, or sprinkler heads, clean them to ensure their proper functioning.
Replace broken components:
Be sure to replace any sprinkler heads, micro-sprayers, and drip emitters as soon as possible.
Monitor water bill:
Keep an eye on the volume of water you consume from month to month (and year to year) and watch for signs of sudden spikes in usage. This could indicate a hidden leak in your system.

Efficient appliances

Keeping your appliances running well means they can perform more efficiently, saving you electricity. There are several regular maintenance jobs that should be performed on your cooling units such as refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners:

Keep top of units clear of obstruction
Clean condenser coils
Clean door seals and gasket
Place cooling units away from heating units such as ovens/ranges, dishwashers, and furnaces
Turn power-saving features on.
Air conditioning units require additional care, which can increase efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Keep indoor and outdoor condenser coils free of debris
Regularly clean or replace air filters.
Hire a technician to perform regular (yearly) assessments.

Efficient ventilation

Ensuring your building is airtight will improve its efficiency, but may contribute to indoor air quality problems, so an efficient ventilation system becomes that much more important. A few considerations should be accounted for when maintaining a mechanical air exchange system:

Keep air intakes and diffusers free of obstructions.
Clean the ventilation system regularly to improve its efficiency and proper functioning. In particular, disinfect dehumidifier trays on a regular schedule.

When significant modifications are made to your building , such as adding photocopying equipment or changing room configurations , take ventilation considerations into account, ensuring that the system is adjusted as required.

Well maintained flooring and cabinetry

Improve the longevity of your flooring by installing components that will make it easier for tenants to keep dirty footwear from damaging it. This can be done with a few inexpensive building features:
Provide permanent walk off mats at each entrance ensure they cover the distance of several footsteps.
Install shoe storage at every entrance, adequate to the foot traffic your building receives.
Of course, choosing durable, resilient flooring that is also smooth will ensure even greater longevity of your flooring.
Good materials to use include linoleum (especially the natural material made of flax and linseed oil), tile, hardwood, laminate, and finished concrete. Color is also important , medium colors, tweeds, and patterned flooring minimize the appearance of spots and soiling.

Maintaining a regular, optimum cleaning schedule will also prolong the life of your flooring. A system that is suitable for your building and traffic level should be discussed with any janitorial team. Here are a few recommendations:

Carpeting:
Vacuuming regularly will remove 80 percent of dry soil, which will prevent premature aging of your flooring.

Regular extraction (deep) cleanings (every 12 to 18 months) and spot removal will minimize stains and get the harder to remove soil out of your carpeting.

A consistent vacuum schedule should be maintained as follows:

Light traffic areas: 1 or 2 times per week
Medium traffic areas: 2 times per week
Heavy traffic areas: Daily vacuuming

Tile and other hard surfaces: Do not flood hard flooring with water as this may damage grout and other porous materials. Rather, vacuum when needed and use a damp mop with mild detergent and warm water when appropriate.

Optimum cleaning techniques for cabinetry will also enhance their appearance and prolong their life expectancy. Here are a few tips to keep your doors and drawers functioning at peak performance:

Avoid using water and paraffin-based cleaning products as they may damage the luster.

Minimize cabinet exposure to dampness and steam, such as that from slow cookers (crock pots), dishwashers, humidifiers, and the like.

Lubricate hinges and drawer glides with silicone to minimize sluggish performance and check them monthly for wear and tear. I”m Nestor Santtia, and I have 23 years of experience in homes and green building. I”m a Certified Green Building Professional and a member of the U.S.G.B. Council. Learn how to improve the health and safety of your family on my website


www.freeecoguide.com,

www.howtobecomeanecorealtor.com,
and in Spanish at

www.ecoguiagratis.com

Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com

Filed under: Healthy Home

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